Metropolitan Tenants  Organization

Volunteer Updates 17th issue Winter 2011 

MTO’s Annual Holiday Party and Awards Ceremony

Thank you to everyone that joined us for our annual holiday party and awards ceremony!  MTO would like to give a special shout out to Katie Kilian, our Hotline Volunteer of the Year and Noah Moskowitz, our Intern of the Year.  Katie has shown much dedication and commitment this year to MTO, coming once a week most of the year, and even twice a week during part of the year.  She was particularly helpful in stepping up to help while Rebecca took maternity leave.  She also assisted MTO in organizing efforts from her unique standpoint as a former insider.  Katie was a part of the management staff in the Astor House however, was not able to complete her job effectively due to lack of resources.  Katie instead left the management staff at Astor House to support organizing efforts by the tenants and MTO in the building.  Sara Mathers, an organizer who worked with Katie stated, “Katie was able to give an inside voice to problems within management and give a voice to tenants and organizing alike”.

Noah Moskowitz completed an internship in building organizing over the summer.  Noah was instrumental in MTO’s efforts to expand into Cook County.  One of the highlights of Noah’s work was the relationships he built with tenants in the City of Harvey.  When MTO first arrived in Harvey tenants were facing serious issues and were on the verge of being evicted because they had been told to stop paying their rent by a city official.  Noah worked with MTO and the tenants to get have the landlord to waive previous rents and halt the evictions.  Farid Muhammad worked closely with Noah and said, “Noah knew how to engage tenants in a genuine way. The tenants still ask about him.”

If you were unable to make the party, please know that MTO is very appreciative of your efforts to help tenants.  Volunteers are the foundation of MTO and are critical to supporting us in our mission of educating, empowering and organizing tenants.

Announcements

MTO will be closed the week of December 26^th – December 30^th.  We will reopen in the New Year on Monday, January 2^nd

Field Trip to Heat Court

We will be going on a new field trip to heat court.  Many of you have counseled tenants on their rights when they have no heat.  Now you will have the opportunity to witness landlords being held accountable for failure to provide adequate heat.  Attorney Steven McKenzie with the Corporation Counsel will be there to speak with us and answer questions.  If available, the judge may also speak with us at the end.  Court begins at 1:30 pm and generally lasts 2 hours or longer.  We will be meeting Thursday January 12^th at 1:10pm on the 11^th floor of the Daley Center.  Contact Rebecca at 773-292-4980 ext. 223 or rebecca@tenants-rights.org to sign up.

Movie Night:  Join us for a movie night to watch a documentary on social justice.  We have not picked our movie yet, but most likely, it will be a documentary on Iraqi veterans or on the Algerian independence movement.  We will be meeting at MTO on Wednesday, January 11^th at 5:30pm.  Contact Rebecca at 773-292-4980 ext. 223 or rebecca@tenants-rights.org to sign up. 

Tenant Congress:  Want to become more involved in tenant campaigns and organizing?  Join us at our bi-monthly Tenant Congress meetings.  The next one will be, January26^th, 2012 at 6pm.  Location to be announced, for more details contact Robert at Robert@tenants-rights.org or at 773 292 4980 x 242.

Hotline Counselors Counseling tenants in HUD Buildings:

Rebecca has contacts for the project managers in HUD buildings.  When counseling tenants in these buildings, please be sure to check in with her to obtain this contact information.  The “project” manager is different from the “property” manager.  The project manager is responsible for filing and addressing grievances that tenants submit. They are the first stop to addressing the issue if the property management has failed.  If the project manager is ineffective, then the tenants would go to the next level and contact the project manager’s supervisor.

 

Volunteer Updates 16th Issue Fall 2011

Updates on New Rental Laws Law Requiring Landlords to Change Locks:

There is a new state law that requires owners to rekey or change locks after a tenant vacates and before a new lessee takes possession,
Public Act 097-0470. If the landlord fails to follow this law and a tenant has items stolen and “theft occurs at that dwelling unit that is attributable to the lessor’s failure to change or rekey the lock, the landlord is liable for any damages from the theft that occurs as a result of the lessor’s failure to comply with this Section (765 ILCS 705/15 new)”. Owner occupied building with 4 or less units are exempt from this law.

Action Updates and Campaigns

New Building Inspection Campaign:

What is the most common resource that MTO volunteers and staff refer people to when counseling them on their rights?
Answer: 311 for building inspectors. But what really happens when people call for a building inspector? Well from feedback that we receive both while counseling tenants and from doing follow up surveys, it appears that this approach is not nearly as effective as it should be because tenants are often not able to get the inspectors out there, or they do not know when the inspectors will be there to let
them in. MTO is responding to this need by beginning a campaign for mandatory building inspections. In addition, we will be tracking the number of mold calls coming in. Mold is a serious issue that is caused by various building code violations and is often left unaddressed when tenants are unable to get their units properly inspected. Although many counselors are aware that getting a building inspection can be difficult or that tenants may be too afraid to call for an inspection, it is important that we have concrete data to back this up. We will be conducting follow up surveys with tenants who have been referred to 311 to get an accurate picture of any roadblocks that may exist. If you are interested in helping us to conduct these surveys or becoming involved in the campaign, please contact Rebecca at 773-292-4980 ext. 223 or rebecca@tenants-rights.org.

HUD Budget Cuts, Action and Updates:

No official decisions on the HUD Budget have been made as the federal government continues its dispute over the issues with the budget crisis. MTO sees this as a revenue crisis and calls upon our elected federal officials to not cut survival programs, and to look to the most financially able to shoulder more of the burden. As these debates ensue we want to be certain that they will be considering the needs of low income people in their decisions. MTO is actively working with the Chicago Housing Initiative (CHI) Coalition in planning a HUD Budget Cut hearing with City Counsel members. Alderman Joe Moore, Chairman of the Human Relations Committee and Alderman Ray Suarez, Chairman of the Housing and Real Estate Committee are hosting the hearing with Federal elected officials as special guests. The hearing will give tenants and members of the community the opportunity to listen to testimonies on how housing HUD Budget cuts to housing and human services have and could affect their lives. Although City Hall officials will not be voting on the budget themselves, they can be instrumental in advocating the needs of their communities to policy makers at the federal level. The HUD Budget Cuts Hearing will be held on Monday October 3rd at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle on the 2nd floor from 1pm-3pm. Please come out and show your support, if you have any questions please contact Sara Mathers at 773-292-4980 ext. 240 or sara@tenants-rights.org.

Move the Money Campaign!

On Thursday October 20th at 6pm, MTO will be joining Congressional Representatives Jan Schakowsky and Danny Davis at a City-Wide Town Hall Meeting to hear testimonies on how the economic hardships are affecting families, jobs, housing, schools, health and human needs. The focus of this Town Hall will be for federally elected officials and other elected officials to hear testimonies on the hardships that low-income families and people of color are facing in these times. The goal is to get our elected officials to MOVE THE MONEY out of wars and bankers pockets and to increase taxes on the wealthy and corporations so that the gap between the rich and the poor will stop growing bigger and bigger.

Please join us for this action, it will be held at the Chicago Temple at 77 W. Washington. There will be a press conference at 5:30 pm and the hearing will begin at 6pm. If you have any questions please contact Robert Clack at 773 292 4980 x 242 or at Robert@tenants-rights.org

Announcements

Field Trip to Eviction Court:

It’s that time again! Whether you are new or alumni, you are welcome to join us. We will be meeting in the 14th floor lobby of the Daley Center at 8:45 am on Thursday, October 27th. We will do outreach to tenants and inform them of potential legal resources, and at 9:30am we will sit in to observe what happens in eviction court. Afterward, we will go to the 6th floor to discover more about resources provided there. Contact Rebecca at 773-292-4980 ext. 223 or rebecca@tenants-rights.org to sign up.

Volunteer Meeting:

Please save the date! Our next volunteer meeting will be held on at 5:30pm at the MTO office on Tuesday October 11th at 2150 S. Canalport, Suite 2-B2. Meg Borneman, a former intern/volunteer and new Healthy Homes staff person will be doing a brief presentation on lead based paint and health issues. We will also be discussing updates and ideas on current campaigns and laws.

Volunteer Hotline Training:

If you need a refresher course or know someone interested in volunteering, the next training will be Saturday November 5th from 10am to 4:30 pm at the MTO office, 2150 S. Canalport, Suite 2-B2. Please contact Rebecca to sign up at rebecca@tenants-rights.org or 773 292 4980, x223.

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Volunteer Updates 15th Issue Spring 2011

Call to Action!!!

MTO continues the fight against HUD Budget Cuts!!! With the budget crisis sweeping through the country, it seems like every time you turn around there is another program or service being cut. In February the House of Representatives approved a 23.8% cut to the budget for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Although there are government sources for funding affordable housing and programs for renters at every level of government, many programs affecting renters are funded through HUD; even when they are administered by a local government agency. For example, the city administers programs through Community Development Block Grants. Although these programs are overseen by the city, their funding is made possible by HUD. The span of programs funded by HUD range from funding section 8 voucher holders, project-based affordable housing units across the country, legal aid attorneys for low income renters, local projects of community organizations, counseling to tenants, and even counseling to homeowners facing foreclosures.

Proposing cuts to the budget of almost 25% is unacceptable and would have a devastating impact on renters and low income communities across the country. On February 25th MTO members and volunteers took to the pavement to voice their disapproval of these suggested cuts. A teach-in was held and we marched alongside hundreds of community members from a coalition of different community organizations led by the Chicago Housing Initiative. A small group of people even volunteered to partake in an act of civil disobedience and took over the street; 11 were arrested and released within 24 hours. Since the action, the government has stalled its budget process with a series of “temporary” operating budgets. After the threat of a complete government shut down, a decision to cut the budget by $40 billion was made. Although an amount was picked for the budget to operate on, how the government would allocate spending and raising the money was not agreed upon. Until that decision is made, we have time to fight, and it is necessary that we fight for appropriate funding to keep people housed. People often talk about needing to put food on the table, and while that is absolutely necessary to survive…having a roof over your head is equally critical. Over the past 10 years, we have gradually lost affordable housing to gentrification, the demolition of public housing, and the foreclosure crisis. The decrease of income to families losing jobs and therefore stability, in this declining economy has only compounded the need for more affordable housing. Even programs that provide shelters to the homeless are funded through HUD. Contrary to what some people think, all shelters do not often operate 24/7 all year round. And, even when they are in operation, they do get full and have to turn away people. What will happen if cuts to HUD go through in a time when we need these services the most?

Join us on June 4th for a National Day of Action in support of preserving affordable housing. Details of the action are in the process of being finalized; for more information please contact Sara Mathers at sara@tenants-rights.org, or via phone at 773 292 4980, x 240.

Update on Progress of Improving Rights for Tenants Impacted by Condo Conversions:

In 2005 and 2006, MTO’s counselors and organizers spent a lot less time responding to foreclosure calls and buildings. Instead, their energies were focused on tenants being displaced by condo conversions. Some tenants were even living in buildings going through gut rehab and living on the premises during the process of asbestos removal. In 2007, Mayor Daley created a Condo Conversion Task Force to discuss the protections of citizens through the process of condo conversions. MTO has worked to get a tenant represented on this committee, and provided input on language that’s protects the rights of tenants. Currently, local city ordinances require that tenants be given 120 days notice move if their landlord intends to convert their unit to a condo, if the tenant is a senior or has a disability they must be given 180 days notice. The Condo Conversion Task Force will be presenting changes to the city’s Building Committee on this law. The task force is proposing to strengthen tenants’ rights by requiring 180-day notification to tenants, and 210-day notification for tenants who are
seniors or disabled. In addition, they are suggesting that tenants receive relocation assistance of one month’s rent or $1,500, whichever is greater, to be capped at $2,500. The city’s Building Committee is scheduled to discuss these changes on May 3rd. To receive updates on the outcome of the meeting and whether the revised ordinance will be sent to City Council please contact Robert Clack at 773 292 4980 x 242, and feel free to check for updates on our website, www.tenants-rights.org

Rebecca and Maternity Leave:

As many of you are aware, Rebecca will be going on maternity leave any day now. During her absence, tenants will still be calling
and needing counseling. If you are a hotline volunteer and have some extra time, please schedule some time!
Even if it is only for a day, every bit helps. During her absence, there will be an assigned staff person each day to oversee the hotline and make sure that you get your snacks. Please pay close attention to the Hotline Updates board, where daily information will be posted. If you have any questions or concerns during Rebecca’s absence, please contact Kathy Chaney-Egan at 773 292 4980 x 230 or via email at kathy@tenants-rights.org; or contact Clarissa St. Germaine at 773 292 4980 x 222 or at clarissa@tenants-rights.org

Announcements:

Fiesta Rumba!!! MTO Fundraiser!!! Come join us for good music, excellent food and drinks at La Encantada Restaurant on Thursday May 19th from 6pm – 12am. La Encantada is located at 3437 W. North Ave., Chicago IL, 60647. There is a suggested donation of $6 and 25% of proceeds will go to MTO.

New Online Hotline! MTO now has a live hotline chat available. On Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am – 12pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2pm – 4pm, tenants may go to our website, www.tenants-rights.org, and chat live with an online counselor about their rights. If you are interested in volunteering for the online hotline, please contact Meron Kahssai at meron@tenants-rights.org or via phone at 773 292 4980, x 229.

Volunteer Hotline Training: If you need a refresher course or know someone interested in volunteering, the next training will be Saturday July 30th from 10am to 4:30 pm at the MTO office, 2150 S. Canalport, Suite 2-B2. Please contact Rebecca to sign up at rebecca@tenants-rights.org or 773 292 4980, x223.

Tenant Congress: Want to become more involved in tenant campaigns and organizing? Join us at our bi-monthly Tenant Congress meetings. The next one will be Wednesday, May 25th 5:30pm - 7:30pm at Rogers Park Public Library, 6907 N. Clark St., 2nd Floor.

Volunteer Meeting: Please save the date! Our next volunteer meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 3rd at 5:30pm at the MTO office, 2150 S. Canalport, Suite 2-B2.

Follow MTO Twitter and Friend us on Facebook!!!

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Volunteer Updates 14th Issue December 2010

Fact: Volunteers have assisted at least 5,000 tenants this year. Great work!!!

Synopsis of Key Points at the Legal Assistance Foundation Presentation Categories of Subsidized Housing:
1.) Public Housing: Project based subsidized housing administered by Chicago Housing Authority. This includes townhomes in “mixed income housing” and scattered site units.
2.) Section 8:
a. Project Based Section 8 Housing: The tenant will often associate themselves with HUD – the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
b. HCVP – Housing Choice Voucher Program – Also known as Section 8 Voucher Holders and tenants with HAP contracts or “Housing Assistance
Program” contracts.
3.) Other Subsidized Housing: This is an array of programs, including subsidies through the Low income Housing Trust Fund, the HOME Program, Transitional Housing, etc.

Key Points:

• NEVER counsel a tenant on using the options of rent reduction, repair and deduct or termination. It is essential that subsidized tenants always pay their full portion of their rent, and MTO counselors are not in the position to counsel otherwise.
• Tenants should always reserve rights to get an attorney.
• “Informal” hearings are in fact, quite formal. Once evidence is added into an informal hearing, a tenant may not take away from or add to this evidence. So for example: A tenant is at an informal hearing to dispute an allegation that a person who is not on the lease stays there. The tenant schedules an informal hearing to contest this allegation, however does not bring proof of the other persons rent receipts and/or lease of the unit that they actually occupy (demonstrating that the extra person is not staying with them), the tenant CANNOT at an appeal, add this additional evidence for review in the decision.
• HCVP: CHAC no longer oversees voucher holders; it is now CHA – ChicagoHousing Authority.
• HCVP: If tenants have repairs they should always call CHA and 311 to request an inspection.
• HCVP: Extensions are RARELY given out for moving, it is important that tenant move with in their allotted time frame.
• HCVP: Get receipts!!! Similar to service request numbers administered when tenants call 311 for a building inspection!!! This not only applies to rental receipts, but receipts on correspondence with management, i.e. requesting an inspection or requesting a repair.
• HCVP: It is important to let HCVP tenants know that their “Family Obligations” are in fact very strict rules that must be followed, and if not followed correctly the tenant may put themselves at risk of losing their subsidy entirely.
• HCVP: If a tenant receives a 30 day notice, they should call CHA right away for emergency moving papers.
• Public Housing, Project Based Section 8 HUD Housing and Other: If a tenant has an issue with repairs or rules, and they are not interested in organizing, or it is a personal issue and not an organizing opportunity: the tenant should file a grievance with the management.

Ann began volunteering as a tenant’s rights counselor in January 2010. Ever since she started she has been very committed, coming two times a week to counsel tenants. She has counseled more than 1,000 tenants this year. Being a retired teacher CPS Ann has strong patience and problem solving skills. She frequently gets compliments from callers about how helpful she is.

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Volunteer Updates 13th Issue September 29th, 2010

Security Deposit Updates – An overview of the revised RLTO:

•  Before pursuing a lawsuit regarding miscalculation of security deposit interest, a tenant must first provide the landlord with a 14 day opportunity to correct the calculation. If the landlord was correct in their calculation the landlord must give the tenant an explanation within 14 days. If the landlord was incorrect they must pay the remainder owed in addition to a $50 fee with in 14 days.
• Calculating the interest on a security deposit is now clearly defined. If a tenant is on a lease, the interest rate for the time of that lease will be determined by the date the lease began (regardless if the lease is for one year, two years, or more). If the lease is on a month to month basis the interest will be prorated based on the year and time spent in the unit. For example, if I moved into my unit November 1st of 2009, then I will calculate the interest for two months in 2009, and the remaining 10 months based on 2010 interest rate.
• If the landlord fails to return the security deposit and the building is lost to foreclosure, the new owner (including the bank if the bank keeps the property at the foreclosure sale) will be responsible for returning it.
• Landlords may accept one check or electronic transfer for first month’s rent and security deposit combined and they may deposit it into one bank account. However with in 5 business days of accepting the payment the landlord must transfer the security deposit into a separate federally insured interest-bearing bank account.
• The name and address of the financial institution where the security deposit is held must be clearly disclosed on the written lease. If no written lease was provided, the landlord must furnish this information in writing within 14 days of receiving the deposit.
•  If the deposit is moved to a different financial institution the landlord must notify the tenant within 14 days of such transfer and provide the tenant with the name and address of the new financial institution.
• The landlord must provide a receipt for deposits transferred electronically, and this may be an electronic receipt.

Volunteer Updates 12th Issue July 20th, 2010

HUD Town Hall Update

Many Hotline Volunteers have received more than one call from a HUD Subsidized tenant complaining about management issues or retaliation in their building. On June 30th, Chicago HUD subsidized renters had the opportunity to voice these issues to Mr. Ed Hinsberger, Chicago Multifamily HUD Director, and Mr. George Gilmore, HUD Neighborhood Coordinator. The Metropolitan Tenants Organization (MTO) in partnership with Access Living held a HUD Town Hall meeting at Access Living headquarters. This is the 3rd HUD Town Hall facilitated by MTO. One outcome of last year’s Town Hall is that management in HUD subsidized senior buildings have gone through sensitivity trainings hosted by the Community Investment Corporation. One hundred and thirty tenants attended this Town Hall, and HUD officials had the opportunity to hear from 40 HUD subsidized tenants on common issues including; bed bugs in their units, retaliation from management when, refusing tenants right to organize by management and security, unfair bar list tactics, slow repair order response, and
disrespectful treatment of tenants by management and staff. At times the Town Hall meeting became heated as tenants voiced their concerns toward Mr. Hinsberger and Mr. Gilmore. One tenant testified that the building security at his residence refused to let the residents hold their tenant association meeting; a procedure that is a direct violation of HUD regulation. A video was shown from this building that showed the security personal placing his hand on his gun as he instructed tenants that they had to disperse. When an organizer in the building challenged the security guard for violating HUD regulation the security guard said, “Mr., whether you are HUD or the Pope I could care less”. At the end of the tenant’s testimony, HUD officials were given an opportunity to respond to the tenants. Mr. Hinsberger expressed that HUD subsidized renters should not have the face poor living conditions in their building, and extended an invitation to the
tenants to call HUD offices when management is not fulfilling their duties. MTO introduced three major steps to improve the housing conditions for HUD subsidized renters; they included (1) additional sensitivity training for building managers, (2) an Ombudsperson for
subsidized renters (a HUD subsidized tenant that will serve as mediator between HUD and subsidized renters), and (3) an enforced policy procedure to address the issue of bedbugs.

Mr. Hinsberger agreed to work with MTO on addressing all three issues. Special thanks go out to Joel Rivera who facilitated the meeting and assisted in writing this article and to all volunteers who participated in this event.

Foreclosure Action:

On Thursday July 15th MTO members and tenants gathered at Chase headquarters downtown to express our disapproval of Chase’s management practices and to support the families being put out due this failed maintenance. On September 26th 2008 the building
became the responsibility of Chase Bank and a receiver was appointed to the building. However, this receiver failed to maintain the building as they were appointed to. As time went on vacancies in this 30 unit building increased due to absentee management. It continued to worsen and officials from the Chicago Department of Buildings came to the building and notified the 10 families remaining that because the building is uninhabitable they would have to vacate. MTO’s organizers began to plan a trip to the bank. On Thursday July 15th, tenants,
volunteers and MTO members picketed at Chase doorsteps, calling for bank accountability and for the bank to compensate tenants being vacated. In the end, tenants were given more time to vacate and were connected with services to assist in the relocation by MTO.
MTO will continue to fight for accountability and tenants rights. Again a special thanks goes out to all the volunteers who participated in this action, your support is always appreciated.

Updates on Security Deposits and the Building Subcommittee

With your help, we squashed Alderman Stone’s proposal to amend the RLTO and require all tenants to submit a 14 day letter prior to any legal recourse on security deposits errors!!! The building committee did however decide to create a subcommittee to discuss
minor edits to the law. Ald. Helen Shiller was the head of this subcommittee and MTO participated in subcommittee meetings to ensure that tenant’s rights remain intact. After meeting, the Building Subcommittee proposed minor edits which were submitted to the Building Committee on July 19th. These edits received approval and are set to go before City Council. If approved by City Council the amendments to the CRLTO will include the following: 1. Landlords will be allowed to receive a security deposit in one check or payment if the security deposit is separated into a dedicated and separate account within 5 business days. 2. Landlord will be required to notify the tenant of the name and address of the financial institution in which the tenant’s deposit if held. 3. Allows security deposit and or rent to be paid electronically. 4. Clarification of how interest is to be calculated for interest on the deposit. 5. Provides that a tenant render the landlord a 14 day opportunity to cure mistakes on the calculation of their interest prior to litigation. Aldermanic meetings: Join MTO in setting up a meeting with your alderman to advocate for renters’ rights. Please contact Loreen at 773.292.4980 ext. 231 if you are interested.

Field Trip to Eviction Court: Its that time again! Whether you are new or an alumni, you are welcome to join us. We will be meeting in the 14th floor lobby of the Daley Center at 8:50 am on Thursday August 19th. We will do outreach to tenants and inform them of
potential legal resources, and at 9:30am we will sit in to observe what happens in eviction court. Contact Rebecca at 773-292-4980 ext. 223 or rebecca@tenants-rights.org to sign up.

Hotline Volunteer Training: MTO is seeking active minds and patient people to be involved assist tenants on the tenants’ rights hotline! The next training will be Sat., Aug 14th 10am-3pm at the MTO office. Please contact Rebecca to sign up.

Tenant Congress: Want to become more involved in tenant campaigns and organizing? Join us in our monthly Tenant Congress planning meetings. Thursday, August 12th 6pm-8pm at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. Free parking is just south
of the conservatory’s main entrance.

Bowlathon: It’s that time again ☺ To join the volunteers team contact Rebecca, and save the date for a fun day of bowling on Sat, Aug 28th.

Questions, comments, concerns, or to sign up contact Rebecca at 773 292
4980 x 223 or at rebecca@tenants-rights.org

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Volunteer Updates 11th Issue April 8, 2010

Updates on RLTO Security Deposits:

Currently, the Building Committee of City Council is reviewing an amendment to the RLTO which would require the owner who takes possession of a foreclosed property to be responsible for returning the security deposit in the event the tenant does not receive it from the landlord. The Building Committee of the City of Chicago recently held a hearing on this amendment. Unfortunately, after MTO gave its testimony in support of this change, pro landlord stakeholders testified that they would also like to require an amendment of their
own. They would like to change the ordinance so that it will be required for a tenant to give the landlord a 14 day letter to cure before filing a lawsuit against the landlord for interest. The building committee will be meeting within the next month, so we need to act fast. The ability to sue for failure to pay interest is an excellent tool in holding slumlords accountable. Small landlords who do not earn much are not as inclined to be sued because an attorney is less likely to take the case. Furthermore we believe that the burden of the interest should not fall to the tenant to remind the landlord, it is the landlord who is getting paid to run their business. The aldermen on the Building Committee are Stone, Pope, Hairston, Foulkes, Thomas, Burnett, E. Smith, Reboyras, Suarez, Allen, Laurino, Reilly, Shiller, and M. Smith. We have little time to waste. If you would like to help us make sure this amendment goes through correctly and your alderman is on the Building Committee please contact Rebecca at 773.292.4980 ext. 223.

Increased Accountability in City Funding Through “Safe Homes
Disclosure Ordinance”

The Chicago City Council recently passed an Ordinance that will prevent City funding to property owners with outstanding building code violations, and which will require any applicant for a city contract to disclose any properties that have outstanding building code violations. Applicants will not be eligible for contracts until all outstanding violations are abated. This is a step in the right direction onto a path of accountability.

Sweet Home Chicago Coalition Seeks to Improve Allocation
of Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

What is TIF Funding? TIF is a tool used to promote economic development and improve blighted Chicago neighborhoods. There are 130 TIF districts in Chicago. TIF revenue is generated by property taxes within the designated TIF district. This tax is an addition to the already existing property taxes; the additional tax revenue is then placed into a TIF fund. TIF cannot be used for bricks and mortar development, unless it is to be used for affordable housing. Once the TIF is created, it remains a TIF district for 23 years.
What has TIF Funding Been Used For? Between 1997 and 2005 4% of total funds were used towards affordable housing. Of the 4% built, at least 50% of that housing was still too expensive to meet affordable housing needs. An excess of three and half million dollars was used in 2007 to renovate offices in the former Sears Towers.
What is the Sweet Home Coalition Asking For? The Sweet Home Chicago Campaign is calling on the City to designate 20% of TIF funds generated each year for housing affordable to very low-income Chicagoans.
What Can You Do to Help? Meet with your alderman to let them know why you support this proposal for TIF funding. MTO has endorsed the Sweet Home Coalition’s campaign.
Please contact Rebecca at 773.292.4980 ext. 223 to get more information on the campaign, and to schedule a meeting with MTO and your alderman.

Upcoming Events

Save the Date: Volunteer Appreciation Party
April 27th at 5:30 PM @ Skylark 2149 S. Halsted
We appreciate all your hard work, so let us throw you a party to show our appreciation! We
will be meeting at the Skylark, just around the corner from MTO. Appetizers on us! If you
plan on attending, it is necessary that you RSVP Rebecca at 773.292.4980 ext. 223.

Letter Writing Support, Volunteers Needed to Assist Tenants!!! At the last
Volunteer Meeting, you gave MTO feedback about more ways we could further our mission.
Now it’s time to implement them. On Sunday April 25th from 2:30 – 6pm we will offer
tenants an opportunity to come into the office and get assistance in writing letters.
Attorney Paul Bernstein will be available to answer more complex tenant rights questions.
If you are available and would like to help, please contact Rebecca at 773.292.4980 ext. 223
to sign up.

Aldermanic meetings: If you agree with the outcomes of MTO’S State of the Renter
Report and if you agree that rents are too high and conditions need to be improved then
join MTO in setting up a meeting to discuss this with your alderman. Please contact
Rebecca at 773.292.4980 ext. 223 if you are interested.

Field Trip to Eviction Court
Once again, your wonderful ideas are being implemented. If you missed last quarter’s field
trip, its ok, you have another opportunity! We will be meeting in the 14th floor lobby of the
Daley Center at 8:55 am on Tuesday May 11th. We will do outreach to tenants and inform
them of potential legal resources, and at 9:30am we will sit in to observe what happens in
eviction court. Afterward, we will go to the 6th floor to discover more about resources
provided there. Contact Rebecca at 773.292.4980 ext. 223 to sign up.

Tenant Congress: Want to become more involved in tenant campaigns and organizing?
Join us in our monthly Tenant Congress planning meetings.
Thursday, May 13th 6pm-8pm at the United First Church of Rogers Park, 1545 W. Morse,
3rd Floor. Thursday, June 10th 6pm-8pm at the MTO office, 2150 S Canalport, Suite 2B2.
Questions, comments, concerns, or to sign up contact Rebecca at 773 292 4980 x 223 or at
rebecca@tenants-rights.org

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Volunteer Updates 8^th Issue October 26th, 2009

Great Job Volunteers! We have helped over 8,000 tenants on the hotline this year!!!

State of the Renter in Chicago

Dear Volunteers,

MTO recently released a report on the State of Renters in the City of Chicago.  MTO explored hotline data that has been compiled over the years, data that many of you have been instrumental in gathering. The report details trends and obstacles in Chicago’s rental housing over the past decade.  Hotline data was analyzed and then compared to statistics compiled by the US Census Bureau.

The key issues identified in the report are affordability, apartment conditions, and a shift away from multi unit buildings to smaller buildings, which are often owner occupied.  The first two come as no surprise, but confirms what we already know so that advocates and policy makers can validate this with hard data.  The housing marketing that renters now live in has changed due in part to the current economic status of the country.  Increases in foreclosure of tenant occupied buildings has dramatically increased along with owners simply not being able to upkeep their property due to lack of funds.  This report details many changes in the rental housing market.  Of the most significance are the shift to smaller buildings with less units, larger numbers of people paying over one third of their monthly salary for rent, and as mentioned earlier an increase in dilapidated conditions.

From 1990 to 2005 Chicago lost more than 125,000 affordable housing options putting a further burden on the rental housing market.  With this loss in affordable housing we are now seeing a shift from larger rental buildings to smaller buildings with fewer units that are owner occupied.  The shift to smaller buildings that are owner occupied has a profound impact by exempting those tenants from the Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance.   A majority of tenants are spending over 1/3 of their income on housing, and many are spending over ½ of their income on housing.  This coupled with previous trends of gentrification, recent trends of foreclosures, and timeless trends of dilapidated conditions further stresses families with the burden of moving.  Moving is mentally and fiscally challenging, especially when families spend more to move than the net value of their belongings.

As economic trends continue to shift and pocketbooks get tighter, the state of the renter will only continue to deteriorate.  The Hotline quarterly reports for this year already mark a significant increase in eviction calls.

The State of the Renter report is a call to action for rental housing advocates here and abroad. The problems that renters are facing will not be solved overnight.  We have a long fight that requires organizing, strategizing, dedication, persistence, and most importantly PARTICIPATION!  If you are interested in joining MTO in these efforts please contact Rebecca about our upcoming Tenant Congress Meeting.  We have also begun a leadership development series, if you are interested in participating please let Rebecca know, 773 292 4980 x 223 or via email at rebecca@tenants-rights.org.

MTO Expands to the County

As many of you already know, the loss of affordable housing, the dismantling of CHA, gentrification and now foreclosures have been displacing tenants and pushing tenants into the suburbs, especially the southern suburbs.  As this shift has occurred, many people that need our help had moved outside of our service area.  This is why we have now expanded to the suburbs of Cook County! We have already begun counseling tenants in the suburbs, and we are beginning to organize too.   We will have a 1-800 number available to suburbanites soon and are hoping to set up a volunteer outpost in the south suburbs too.  If you are interested in assisting with this expansion or helping to develop materials, please contact Rebecca for more information, at 773 292 4980 x 223 or via email at rebecca@tenants-rights.org.

Volunteers Needed!

In order to keep serving tenants we need your help to make a difference.  Please contact Rebecca to set up a time to come in.  We will also be having another hotline training on Saturday, November 7th, please contact Rebecca for more info, 773 292 4980 x 223 or rebecca@tenants-rights.org

Volunteer Appreciation Party!!!

We want to show you that you are appreciated, so please come enjoy pizza on us!  Even if you haven’t been in for awhile, we still want to see you. We will also have a dynamic discussion on how to further our mission of educating, empowering, and organizing tenants.

Where: We are now at 2150 S. Canalport #2B2, Chicago IL 60608.  It is close to UIC and Pilsen . The closest main intersection is Cermak and Halsted, which is about a block away.

When: Thursday, November 12^th at 5:30pm.  RVSP: Rebecca at 773 292 4980 x 223 or via email at rebecca@tenants-rights.org. 

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