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Our formation is growing, but so is the greed. As Connecticut DSA’s Housing Justice Project continues to build formidable tenant unions across the state, we have met a statewide problem: the rent is too damn high! Predatory landlords have raised rent far higher than the rate of inflation or wages and tenants have no extra cash to spare. Tenants need a break.
We aren’t the only ones who’ve seen this problem. In March of 2022, the state comptroller (the person who manages state accounting and financial services) reported concern that housing costs were rising. From 2021 to 2022, average Connecticut rents rose 12%, from $1,372 to $1,533. These statistics affect the 35% of Connecticut residents who rent. Among these roughly 1.3 million renters in the state, a little over half spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. This leaves very little money left for other bills, food, and energy- let alone the opportunity to invest in education, new business ventures, or future savings.
There is an immediate solution – slow the rise of rents. But Connecticut currently bans cities from installing rent control ordinances. That’s why the Housing Justice Project has committed to a 2022 electoral goal of repealing this ban and establishing a cap on yearly rent increases allowed across the state. We demand a yearly 2.5% limit to rent increases to provide immediate and long lasting rent relief. This is legislation that must be universal for all renters, without exception. Universal regulation provides universal protection for all Connecticut tenants.
In order to stop landlords from kicking people out of their rentals as revenge for tenant union organizing or to simply raise the rent on a new tenant, we also need to put a stop to no-cause evictions. This would mean a ban on evictions where the tenant did nothing wrong to break their lease. This idea isn’t radical: if you followed the expectations in your lease, you should get to stay where you are as long as you want. But right now, Connecticut landlords don’t believe in such reasonable terms for stable housing because over the past few years, no-cause evictions have doubled across the state.
There is some precedent for this legislation. No-cause evictions are already banned for seniors aged 62 and older in the state of Connecticut as well as certain disabled renters. We believe the protection should be extended universally to all renters so anyone can establish roots in their community.
One of the DSA’s visions is to stop capitalism from profiting off of basic necessities. Every human deserves safe housing in a community close to their work and social support. There is a long road ahead to meet that goal, but slowing the immediate rise of rents will get us closer to a world where housing is equitable and accessible. Tenants must organize to demand the state pass rent control and a ban on no-cause evictions. To quote tenant organizer, Tracy Rosenthal: “the role of the tenant is to expropriate and redistribute that hoarded wealth [of real estate].” In other words, we can fight to make housing affordable and guarantee a roof over everyone’s head.
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Want to join or find out more about the Housing Justice Project’s legislative campaign, you can start by signing our petition and plug into our electoral organizing.
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