Metropolitan Tenants Organization » Featured

We’re Hiring: Part-time Bilingual Counselor

meg — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:58:36 +0000

Part-Time Hotline Counselor Position

Goal:

The Metropolitan Tenants Organization has a mission to organize, educate, and empower tenants to have a voice in decisions that affect the affordability and availability of safe and decent housing for all. Tenants throughout Chicago call our hotline seeking advice on their rights. The role of the hotline counselor is to educate and empower tenants to exercise their legal rights.

Classification:

Part-time (12 hrs/week) must be able to work afternoons

Duties and Responsibilities:

Listen to tenants’ issues
Assist callers in developing a strategy to solve their problem
Refer tenants to appropriate agencies
Maintain knowledge of current laws
Learn updates as new laws are passed
Send out written materials to callers
Identify potential supporters

Qualifications:

Ability to clearly communicate legal information
Ability to learn and become familiar with Chicago’s residential tenant laws
Implement MTO’s mission statement
Bilingual (English / Spanish)
Computer literate
Excellent customer service skills

Salary: $11/ hour

The Metropolitan Tenants Organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please send your resume to Rebecca McDannald at rebecca@tenants-rights.org. Thank You

Building Inspection Details Now Available Online!

meg — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:38:22 +0000

The City of Chicago has launched a new web tool that we support and encourage residents to utilize. All building inspections, detailed with the inspector’s notes, are organized by case and available for the public to view by entering the address of the building. Code violations date back to 1999 and are updated regularly.

To find out the history of building code violations at any address, click here. You can also find the link on the right-hand side of our website by clicking on the official Chicago seal.

Learn more: Chicago Municipal Code

Call our hotline at 773-292-4988 1-5 pm Monday-Friday to speak with a counselor about your rights when building codes are violated.

A Holiday Message from an MTO member

meg — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:27:14 +0000

We asked one of our members what MTO means to her.

We hope that her story will inspire you to support our work and become a member. We are very grateful for everyone’s support throughout the year.

LIHEAP enrollment begins Nov. 1

meg — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:35:56 +0000

LIHEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) is a block grant program that provides financial assistance for energy costs to low-income households. The program will begin open enrollment starting Tuesday Nov. 1, 2011 for winter energy service and operates until funds are exhausted. Illinois residents have the option between 2 programs:

- Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Direct Vendor Payment (DVP) helps income-eligible households in the form of a one-time benefit payment to the utility companies applied directly to the energy bill.

- Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Percent of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) helps income-eligible households in the form of monthly payments to the utility companies based on utility usage and monthly income.

To find the nearest intake site click here. Appointments fill up quickly so arrive early/on time to avoid rescheduling. Be sure to have all of your information ready.

To apply, you will need the following:

Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30-day period prior to the application date.
A copy of current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days (if energy directly paid for).
A copy of rental agreement (if renting) showing that utilities are included, the monthly rental amount and landlord contact information.
Proof of Social Security numbers for all household members.
Proof that household received TANF or other benefits, such as Medical Eligibility or SNAP, if receiving assistance from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Income Guidelines are as follows:

Family Size Annual Income

1 $21,780

2 $29,420

3 $37,060

4 $44,700

5 $52,340

6 $59,980

7 $67,620

8 $75,260

*Remember that using the stove for heat is NOT SAFE.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 23-29th

meg — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:14:59 +0000

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 23-29th, 2011. Children under age 6 are most at risk for lead poisoning. You can prevent lead poisoning by getting your home tested, getting your child tested and getting the facts.

Lead is a metal that is found in many places. You can’t always see lead, even when it is present in substances like paint, dust, or dirt.
Lead in the body is not safe at any level. It only takes a very small amount to cause damage.
Childhood lead poisoning can lead to life-long health problems, including learning disabilities, increased need for special education and higher crime rates. Lead harms the brain, making it harder for children to learn and can cause behavioral problems.
Most children do not have any physical symptoms. Warning signs include: stomach pains, constipation, poor appetite, sleep problems, irritability, headaches, weakness, or loss of a recently learned skill.
Children are most often exposed to lead in their home and at places they visit.
Lead was added to paint until 1978.
In housing built before 1978, assume that the paint has led unless tests show otherwise.
Children eat lead by getting lead on their hands and then putting their hands in their mouth.
Make sure your child does not have access to peeling paint or chew-able surfaces painted with lead-based paint by creating barriers between living/play areas and lead sources. You can temporarily apply contact paper or duct tape to cover spaces with sources of lead.
Regularly wash your children’s hands and toys. Both can become contaminated from household dust or exterior soil.
Regularly wet-mop floors and wet-wipe windows–dry-dust, sweeping or vacuuming will spread lead dust.
Wipe dirt off shoes before coming inside your home.
Whenever new exposures to lead may have occurred, have your child tested.
DO NOT disturb paint without protecting your family from the dust that occurs during abatement.
Feed your child 3 healthy meals a day–a diet high in iron, calcium and Vitamin C will help fight any lead in a child’s body.
Do not use pottery for cooking or serving until you are sure of its glaze. Pottery can be contaminated with lead.
Draw drinking water and cooking water only from the cold tap. Let it run for a few minutes first.
Teach your child to wash their hands before eating.

The City of Chicago provides FREE lead inspections to homes with children under 6 years old and/or with children under 6 who frequently visit, call 311 and ask for lead inspection TODAY.

For information about tenants’ rights: call Megan Borneman, MTO Healthy Homes Organizer… 773-292-4980 ext. 231

For resources available to Chicago residents: call the Chicago Department of Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention… 312-747-LEAD (5323)

For resources available to non-Chicago residents in Cook County: call the Cook County Lead Prevention Program… 708-492-2076

Harvey Tenants Say “We Won’t Go” – City of Harvey Orders Landlord to Make Repairs

meg — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:36:46 +0000

The cease and desist order issued by the City of Harvey was a huge wake-up call to tenants on 154^th street that they were about to lose their homes. The tenants with the help of MTO began to organize. Their efforts led, not only to the order being rescinded, but to a meeting with city officials and a campaign to preserve their housing and improve their living conditions.

With the evictions stopped, the tenants association focused on the gross building code violations and problematic housing conditions affecting all of them. The building was in bad condition. Tenants complained about bedbugs, roaches, mice, systemic plumbing issues, an uneven porch and stairs, evidence of mold on walls and ceilings and wide-ranging apartment repair issues. After a month of meetings in the parking lot, MTO and tenant leaders engaged the City of Harvey public officials to find innovative ways to address this housing situation. After several strategy sessions between tenants and public officials – the group determined that it was time to meet with the owner and property manager to discuss solutions.

The meeting took place in late August. Prior to this meeting, building maintenance had become nonexistent. Conditions had deteriorated to such a degree the building was becoming dangerous and uninhabitable leaving it vulnerable to being condemned. During several hours of negotiations between MTO, tenants, City of Harvey public officials and the landlord; an agreement was reached. The agreement includes bringing out certified contractors to make an assessment and conduct inspections of units to gain a better idea of the overall repair and pest issues. The owner also agreed to waive all past due rent tenants had withheld for poor conditions. A timeline and a signed agreement were developed as a means to hold each side accountable. This represents a significant win for these renters and has been a strong first step into working in the county for MTO.

The tenants understand that the fight is not over. Now the tenants know they have power and understand the importance of organizing and building collaborations to address their housing concerns. They are confident that their hard work will pay off. The victory has raised tenants’ hopes and their self-respect.

Move the Money Chicago: City-Wide Townhall Meeting Oct. 20, 2011

meg — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:00:28 +0000

MTO invites you to a city-wide town hall meeting with Congressional Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Jesse Jackson Jr. & Danny Davis:

Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 6:00 p.m

77 W. Washington, Chicago Temple.

A press conference will be held at 5:30 p.m.

The time is NOW to rebuild America!!! We need JOBS, not cuts. We need Medicare for ALL. We need to bring our troops and war dollars home. We need to move the money. Let’s show them we care. We hope to see you there!

Move the Money Campaign:

American Friends Service Committee-Chicago; ARC ’09; Arise Chicago; Chicago Alliance Against Racism & Political Repression; Chicago Area Peace Action; Chicago Political Economy Group; Chicago Coalition for the Homeless; Chicago Jobs With Justice; Chicago Labor for Peace, Prosperity & Justice (CLPPJ); Chicago Teachers Union (CTU); Committee for New Priorities (CNP); Disabled Americans Want Work Now (DAWWN); Energy Action Network; Enlace Chicago; IBEW Local 21; Iraq Veterans Against the War; Logan Square Neighbors for Justice and Peace; Metropolitan Tenants Organization (MTO); MoveOn Chicago; New New Deal Coalition; Northside Action for Justice; Portaluz; Progressive Democrats of America (PDA); Rainbow PUSH Coalition; Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1; South Halsted Unemployed Action Center; Stand Up! Chicago; Southside Together Organizing for Power (STOP); Taskforce for Attendant Services; UAW Local 2320; United Communities Against Foreclosures & Evictions; United Electrical Workers (UE)

Move the Money Chicago, Phone: 773-677-9169

City Council Hearing on HUD Budget Cuts held Oct. 11

meg — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:38:51 +0000

On Tuesday, October 11th, public housing residents attended a city council hearing to oppose the proposed budget cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. If the proposed cuts are implemented, Chicago will lose an additional $28 million in 2012, after already losing $25.8 million in 2011. Thousands of units will be lost, while 68,000 families and seniors sit on CHA’s waiting list. Community Development Block Grants would be cut 12.3% compared to levels in 2010, a loss of $11 million in needed funding for homeless services, youth programs, violence prevention, and health clinics. For these devastating reasons, tenants testified against the cuts and their message was heard loud and clear. If the proposed cuts occur, essential services for those who need it most will be lost, the disparity of wealth will continue to grow, and housing conditions as well as stability will worsen. Thank you to everyone in attendance for coming out and showing your support for continued funding.

An article by the Chicago Reporter, “Next on the chopping block: $73 million in federal public housing money.”

8th Annual Rents Right Expo will be held Saturday October 22

meg — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:10:47 +0000

Attention all renters! The 8th Annual Rental Housing Expo will be held Saturday, October 22 10 a.m.-2 p.m at Arturo Velasquez West Side Tech–2800 S. Western Ave. Admission is FREE! This is a great opportunity to learn about landlord and renters’ rights and responsibilities. Throughout the day there will be workshops, counseling and vendors available for resources on conflict resolution and referrals to needed programs, services and training. Knowing your rights is essential for a good, working landlord-tenant relationship. We hope to see you there!

For more info visit: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dcd.html

Change of Tenants’ Locks/Re-Key Law

meg — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:40:05 +0000

Public Act 97-470

(Mayfield, D-Waukegan; Jones, D-Chicago) requires landlords to “change or rekey” locks of rental property after a renter moves out if the new renter has a written lease agreement. If the landlord doesn’t do this, the landlord is liable for any damages for theft that occur. It exempts (1) apartment buildings with four units or less if the owner occupies one of the units or (2) the rented room is in a private home also occupied by the owner. Effective January 1, 2012.

State legislative law that applies to counties with populations over 500,000 residents.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0470