Courageous Tenant Needs Support
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Janene and her fiancé Chris have been in an incredibly difficult situation for almost a year now. They are currently one of the thousands of Mainers being evicted from their hotel or motel because of cuts to the Rent Relief program as directed by Maine State Housing Authority on June 1st.
Janene and Chris had lived in their apartment on Washburn Ave for 6 years with a landlord that did care about her tenants and wanted them to have secure, stable, and affordable living. In Portland and everywhere in the country, a good landlord is hard to come by. A couple years ago, BJB Reality bought Janene and Chris’ building and had a very different approach to managing a building and their tenants. BJB Realty forced several illegal rent increases during a global pandemic, prompting the BJB Tenant Union to form. Janene and her fellow tenant union members in her building organized to reverse the illegal rent increases through the reactive Portland Housing Safety Office.
In response to holding their landlord accountable for breaking the rent control laws, BJB decided to retaliate after the federal eviction moratorium was rescinded. BJB gave out eviction notices to all at-will tenants (tenants renting month-to-month), which included Janene and Chris. They were evicted from their housing and forced to look for other options. Chris is a veteran, who suffers from PTSD, so finding an apartment that allows him space is imperative to his health.
After fighting to get into stable, affordable housing through Avesta, Janene and Chris face eviction once again as the Maine State Housing Authority cuts back on their funding. Maine Housing director Dan Brennan has put a limit on the reimbursement rates for hotels and motels for Mainers using their Rent Relief benefits. Hotels and Motels across Maine are refusing to accept the lowered rate (just in time for tourist season) forcing people across the state to vacate their homes, even after their funding had already been approved.
Janene continues to fight, loudly, for Mainers' right to safe, stable housing.
We are in a tenants rights crisis. Where tenants must follow the letter of the law, but landlords get free reign to do as they please. Janene and Chris has to fight for the right to live in an apartment and have stability, using their time and resources to do so.
Janene, among several other people being evicted, are seeking representation and are choosing to stay in the hotel without the rent relief assistance as they look for more stable housing. Funds raised will go towards their living costs while they continue their search for housing in this inaccessible rental atmosphere.
Janene and Chris need our continued support to keep fighting for our right to stable and affordable housing. Funds raised will be used for Janene and Chris’ needs during and after their eviction, such as moving costs, a security deposit, or safe temporary housing if needed. Please donate any amount to Janene and Chris’s fundraiser, it is greatly appreciated.
*Maine DSA is a 501(c)4, meaning that donations are not tax-deductible
Janene and Chris had lived in their apartment on Washburn Ave for 6 years with a landlord that did care about her tenants and wanted them to have secure, stable, and affordable living. In Portland and everywhere in the country, a good landlord is hard to come by. A couple years ago, BJB Reality bought Janene and Chris’ building and had a very different approach to managing a building and their tenants. BJB Realty forced several illegal rent increases during a global pandemic, prompting the BJB Tenant Union to form. Janene and her fellow tenant union members in her building organized to reverse the illegal rent increases through the reactive Portland Housing Safety Office.
In response to holding their landlord accountable for breaking the rent control laws, BJB decided to retaliate after the federal eviction moratorium was rescinded. BJB gave out eviction notices to all at-will tenants (tenants renting month-to-month), which included Janene and Chris. They were evicted from their housing and forced to look for other options. Chris is a veteran, who suffers from PTSD, so finding an apartment that allows him space is imperative to his health.
After fighting to get into stable, affordable housing through Avesta, Janene and Chris face eviction once again as the Maine State Housing Authority cuts back on their funding. Maine Housing director Dan Brennan has put a limit on the reimbursement rates for hotels and motels for Mainers using their Rent Relief benefits. Hotels and Motels across Maine are refusing to accept the lowered rate (just in time for tourist season) forcing people across the state to vacate their homes, even after their funding had already been approved.
Janene continues to fight, loudly, for Mainers' right to safe, stable housing.
We are in a tenants rights crisis. Where tenants must follow the letter of the law, but landlords get free reign to do as they please. Janene and Chris has to fight for the right to live in an apartment and have stability, using their time and resources to do so.
Janene, among several other people being evicted, are seeking representation and are choosing to stay in the hotel without the rent relief assistance as they look for more stable housing. Funds raised will go towards their living costs while they continue their search for housing in this inaccessible rental atmosphere.
Janene and Chris need our continued support to keep fighting for our right to stable and affordable housing. Funds raised will be used for Janene and Chris’ needs during and after their eviction, such as moving costs, a security deposit, or safe temporary housing if needed. Please donate any amount to Janene and Chris’s fundraiser, it is greatly appreciated.
*Maine DSA is a 501(c)4, meaning that donations are not tax-deductible
Organizer
Maine DSA
Organizer
Portland, ME