Call for Community Support for Basilica Tenants
Donation protected
In July 2019, after a year and half of uncertainty, tenants of several units owned by the Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.’s Brookland neighborhood secured a development agreement and purchase of their buildings from the Church by a developer who will keep their units affordable. After a renovation process, tenants will be able to return, and rent control will remain in place (read more about their campaign here).
This is great news, and comes after a long fight by the tenants and community partners. However, the fight against displacement is not over. The families now face a challenging time, as they will need places to live during the construction on their units. Without resources to support them during the relocation, they again risk facing displacement from their community.
We are creating a support network for the 16 families in NE DC who will need assistance over the next few months with the following:
- General moving expenses such as moving vans
- Storage units costs to store belongings that can't go with families to short-term housing
- Rental assistance over the relocation period (tenants may be unable to find short-term housing at or below the rent they pay now)
- Organizing expenses associated with the Basilica Tenants campaign
Please give what you can. Even $5 or $10 can help ease the transition and prevent displacement. DC, and particularly Ward 5 where these families live, experiences some of the most aggressive gentrification in the country, and this is an ongoing fight that we are all part of.
The tenants also hope that through our networks, we can minimize the damaging impact of having to relocate. If you or someone you know can offer housing starting in February or March (short term leases for under $1000/month) or storage space (attics, basements, garages), please reach out to the organizers.
As Heather Benno, one of the 636 Girard St NE tenants told Liberation News , "Through this process, 12 families and the surrounding community learned that working families can only avoid displacement through struggle and unity. Despite living under a harsh system that prioritizes profit over housing, victory is possible!”
This GoFundMe is being organized jointly with the 636 Girard St Tenants Association, Link Up, and the Housing Committee of the Party for Socialism and Liberation DC.
This is great news, and comes after a long fight by the tenants and community partners. However, the fight against displacement is not over. The families now face a challenging time, as they will need places to live during the construction on their units. Without resources to support them during the relocation, they again risk facing displacement from their community.
We are creating a support network for the 16 families in NE DC who will need assistance over the next few months with the following:
- General moving expenses such as moving vans
- Storage units costs to store belongings that can't go with families to short-term housing
- Rental assistance over the relocation period (tenants may be unable to find short-term housing at or below the rent they pay now)
- Organizing expenses associated with the Basilica Tenants campaign
Please give what you can. Even $5 or $10 can help ease the transition and prevent displacement. DC, and particularly Ward 5 where these families live, experiences some of the most aggressive gentrification in the country, and this is an ongoing fight that we are all part of.
The tenants also hope that through our networks, we can minimize the damaging impact of having to relocate. If you or someone you know can offer housing starting in February or March (short term leases for under $1000/month) or storage space (attics, basements, garages), please reach out to the organizers.
As Heather Benno, one of the 636 Girard St NE tenants told Liberation News , "Through this process, 12 families and the surrounding community learned that working families can only avoid displacement through struggle and unity. Despite living under a harsh system that prioritizes profit over housing, victory is possible!”
This GoFundMe is being organized jointly with the 636 Girard St Tenants Association, Link Up, and the Housing Committee of the Party for Socialism and Liberation DC.
Organizer and beneficiary
Katy Lang
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
Heather Benno
Beneficiary