MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Housing is an essential that some people say is unreachable for many in Tennessee. That’s why a coalition of renters descended in Nashville on Tuesday to call for change.
“We are really understanding this as a fight for housing that should be right for all people in the state of Tennessee,” said organizer Tristan Call.
They said it’s to the point of a crisis with skyrocketing rent and hazardous living conditions.
Renters met with lawmakers requesting their support of a federal crackdown on rent hikes, making certain repairs a requirement, and protecting tenants from retaliation in federally subsidized complexes.
“They are small asks for these people, these landlords. So we are hoping that legislators will understand those things need to be passed,” said Ashley Benkarski with Tennessee for Safe Homes.
WREG has reported on the ongoing tenant complaints at places like Serenity Towers and Peppertree. But those government-subsidized complexes aren’t the only ones.
Denozanna Moore was in dispute with her landlord for months over the conditions in her apartment.
“But they get upset. And my thing is if you have important things and issues with things going on in your apartment, especially plumbing, you need to get these things fixed,” she said.
Moore said because she complained about things not being fixed, she received a notice saying her lease wasn’t being renewed.
“You have landlords that just want to put you out because they feel like you are a problem,” she said.
That’s why these advocates are also pushing for tenant rights to protect renters from abusive landlords and retaliatory evictions. They also want tougher laws for absent landlords who get federal loans and then neglect their property.
“Out-of-town landlords that are doubling the rent, using affordable housing loans to buy property that they just use to enrich themselves, it’s totally unacceptable,” Call said. “It’s a loophole in the entire finance system.”
The advocates have also visited congressional staff to discuss housing issues. They want Tennessee lawmakers to sign on and push renter protections at the state and federal levels.
