What is our mission?
We want Renters Rights!
Right now-- landlords, investors and managment companies hold the reigns of our housing in their greedy hands. Pinehurst Tenants Union (PTU), is our way of protecting ourselves.
Individual renters have no power against monied interests with deep pockets and legislature on their side. When we have a problem or complaint we are often dismissed and ignored. It's easy to ignore a single voice. However, hearing from an entire community of voices is a game changer!
Residents at Pinehurst Townhomes have had enough of continually rising rent with unexpected fees and fines---incorrect paperwork costing us $100's even $1000's we don't have. We have lost the ability to fully enjoy our community; our grills were taken away and we aren't allowed to use the community room (unless they're trying to sell us something).
They may be able to ignore us individually, but not if we speak as one. Coming together as a community in a Union strengthens every single tenant. With a union behind us we never walk into that leasing office alone, every resident has the power of the people behind them.
Together we can negotiate our lease and put pressure on the owners to make changes, fight rent hikes and evictions and inspire more communities to join the fight for renters rights.
PTU has joined forces with We The People--MI Action Fund and The Rent Is Too Damn High-Lansing and tenant unions across the state of Michigan.
Together we are pushing our lawmakers for a renters bill of rights. We seek to Lift the Ban on Rent Control, abolish junk fees, get tenants right to counsel, get eviction expungement, institute source of income protections and so much more.
We began organizing PTU in February of 2024, since then we have inspired more tenant unions to pop up in our city and county. We The Tenants of Kalamazoo are ready to fight for the housing we want and deserve.
Let's start building together
First, let us assure you that a union is necessary. Gentrification is on the rise in Kalamazoo and throughout Michigan. Fighting to stay in your housing alone is a nightmare. Tenants rarely have the financial ability to aquire adequate legal representation and stand no chance in challenging our landlord in person, let alone in court.
Rent will continue to rise, and we will watch slowly as our neighbors, friends and ourselves are priced out of our homes. There is currently no rent control in place to keep landlords from raising the prices as they see fit. Even if you or I is not affected yet, our day will also come.
We must stand up for each other and fight for our rights together as a united community. When we do this, we hold power. We keep the bills paid around here, we should be able help improve things for everyone and keep us all in our homes.
Letters from management shouldn't be scary and we should be able to have folks we trust make sure everything is on the up and up. Wouldn't it be nice if you could just say "take it up with the union."? Wouldn't it be a relief to have Right to Counsel and know you'll have legal representation??--This is something we're fighting for.
Help us make change
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