SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 HOUSING JUSTICE The rent is too damn high! Statewide action demands lift of rent control ban in Michigan ZACHARIAH FARAH Groundcover contributor On September 5, a crowd of several hundred renters from across the state of Michigan gathered on the steps of the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing to make a simple proclamation: The Rent is Too Damn High! The crowd, carrying flowing red banners, buzzed with excitement and energy. This was the first rally in many years demanding better conditions for renters in many years and there was a real sense that change could be won. The four demands presented by the aptly named Rent is Too Damn High Coalition are simple and cogent: 1. Repeal the statewide ban on rent control so cities can implement rent stabilization measures. 2. Pass a renters bill of rights to greatly expand the legal protections shielding tenants from abusive landlords. 3. Invest $4 billion in social housing that is permanently affordable and publicly owned. 4. Allocate $1 billion to “housing first” programs designed to provide housing to people experiencing homelessness. The event began with emotional speeches delivered by tenants who had been mistreated by their landlords, struggled to make rent and faced eviction from their homes. Local renter and Huron Valley Democratic Socialists of America member, Justin Yuan, represented the McKinley Tenant Association which has been working to improve conditions at McKinley properties, one of the largest landlords in Washtenaw County. “Just as we fight the boss at work, we must fight the landlord at home!” declared Yuan, whose comments were met with loud applause. Despite the intense 90º heat, the vibrance of the crowd continued throughout the speeches. After the tenant testimonials, we split into two groups, each directed towards a different chamber of the legislature: the House or the Senate. Chambers are located in opposite wings of the capitol. To our disappointment, the legislators had unexpectedly given themselves an extra day of vacation and weren’t present on the chamber floors. We filed into the horseshoe-shaped galleries overlooking the debate floor and the many rows of empty legislators’ desks. Call and response chants boomed throughout the rooms and hallways. “The roof, the roof, the roof is falling in! We’re fighting for good housing and you bet we’re gonna win!” I was overwhelmed with the feeling that this previously silent room had been transformed into a living people’s house. We read our demands once again to our invisible legislators. A highly charged group of demonstrators chanted and aired their demands in the Senate chambers. Another group visited the House. “It looks like our legislators are hiding!” said one speaker, in reference to the absence of the representatives. That wasn’t true of all of our legislators, however. Sen. Carrie Rheingans, Rep. Emily Dievendorf, Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr. and Rep. Jason Morgan all attended the rally and demonstrated genuine support for our cause. Rep. Morgan, who represents part of Ann Arbor, extended an invitation to the Ann Arbor-area delegation to discuss our concerns and demands in his office. The meeting was a great success and upon debriefing, our delegation agreed that it couldn’t have gone any better. “At least we have a real ally in our own district,” said one renter. After the exhausting day of demonstrating, our delegation boarded our charter bus and we began the stretch back home to Ann Arbor. Reflecting on our rally, a wave of hope came over me. This is the beginning of a powerful tenant movement in our state, a movement that will win better rights and lower rents for tenants across GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 Justin Yuan from McKinley Tenants Association addresses the crowd. Photo credit: The Rent is Too Damn High Coalition. Michigan. The Rent is Too Damn High Coalition will continue the fight in Lansing with our support, but it’s up to us to get organized here in Ann Arbor. Public Toilets in A2 and Ypsi Please remember to use public toilets where available. The staff at Groundcover News has made this list of public toilets for its readers. If you know of more public toilets, please reach out to our staff at this email address: contact@ groundcovernews.com. “Thank you” from the staff! Delonis Center 312 W Huron St. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 mon – sun 24/7 Blake Transit Center 328 S Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 mon – fri 6a – 12a sat 7:15a – 11p sun 8a – 7:30p Ypsi Transit Center 220 Pearl St. Ypsilanti, MI 48197 mon – fri 6a – 12:30a sat 7:15a – 11p sun 8a – 7:45p AADL Downtown 343 S Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor, 48104 mon – sun 10a – 8p
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