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REPORT OF THE 710-CORRIDOR RENTAL HOUSING TENANT PUBLIC FORUM
There is a lot of tenant and Caltrans activity at this time and we will try to update you to the best of our ability regarding the information we have at hand.
As you know, we called a meeting of the Caltrans Tenants of the 710 Corridor for July 23 at the home of Lyn Miller. We had about 30 tenants and Suzanne Reed representing Assemblywoman Carol Liu, Susan McIntyre from Senator Jack Scott's office and Betty Ho, Deputy to Mayor Bogaard, City of Pasadena attending. Our pass-outs to tenants included: 1. A very hard-hitting and direct letter from Carol Liu to Jeff Morales, Director of the Department of Transportation on all of our issues. 2. Our list of proposed items to be presented to Caltrans regarding the rent increases. 3. The City of Pasadena letter regarding maintenance issues Pasadena would assist us with. 4. A "how to" packet on letters to the editor and samples. It proved to be a very spirited meeting with plans and strategy set for the corridor forum meeting planned for El Sereno on Saturday, July 27 at noon.
Well over 100 tenants attended the corridor meeting in El Sereno. Two representatives of Caltrans spoke as well as the representatives of the corridor's elected officials. It included a panel of tenants who spoke on some of our main concerns. Some tenants were allowed to express their concerns. The forum gained a lot of attention. Doug Failing, the new Director for District 7 was in the audience as were other Caltrans representatives. The commonality of all the elected representatives remarks was the call for a moratorium on the rent increases until there could be some dialogue on the troubled process. Carol Liu called for a cost of living rental increase of 3%. Remarks by Suzanne Reed, representing Carol Liu and Lyn Miller, Chairman of the Caltrans Tenants of the 710 Corridor are available on our website. Please read them and note how strong they were on our behalf. Our organization sent out Press Advisories and made remark copies available.
Through our organization, we were able to make contact with the Los Angeles Times. They agreed to cover our story and a very good in-depth and balanced story was in the Times the Sunday after the meeting. We continue to work with the reporter and expect follow up stories on current events as they develop, which are every day.
We understand that Caltrans held many meetings at District 7 on Monday morning over our issues. We have heard that there could be a moratorium on the rent increases until issues can be resolved. However, that is not substantiated at this date.
This is what we do know. Caltrans posted "3 day pay or quit" and a "30 day eviction notice" on tenant doors on Tuesday. According to Tony Harris, Deputy Director under Jeff Morales, Caltrans intends to initiate legal proceedings against those who received notices this week. He says there are nine. The issues are either nonpayment of rent or failure to sign a lease agreement. Two of the tenants receiving these notices include one that was bypassed in the appeal process, has documented rat infestation and severe maintenance problems that include a nonfunctioning kitchen. They are expected to pay a rent increase with these circumstances. They wrote a letter to the Governor and Carol Liu got a temporary hold on his increase that has now been rescinded. The second includes a tenant that holds a "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU). This is a legal and binding agreement between the tenant and Caltrans. They are trying to force her to sign a new rental agreement that takes away her rights under the MOU. This tenant has been in so called "good faith" negotiations for over 5 months trying to resolve this issue with 4 other MOU holders. It might be noted this tenant spoke as our Chairman at last Saturday's forum, was quoted in the paper and received her eviction notice this last Tuesday….3 days later. This appears is to be retaliatory action!
This is a very serious situation for these tenants and we expect more notices to come.
This is what we are doing. Carol Liu has promised to personally contact Jeff Morales on our behalf when he returns to the office early next week. Suzanne Reed, Chief of Staff for Liu, has promised to contact the other elected officials and representatives asking them to intercede on behalf of the tenants ASAP.
As Caltrans is accountable to the legislature and its legislators, we want them to have every opportunity to serve their constituents in our time of crisis. They can and should make the difference on these ongoing slumlord tactics and bring Caltrans to the negotiating table to resolve their continuing unjust actions.
The LA Times reporter continues to be very much involved and is interviewing some of the eviction notice holders over the coming days. We expect a follow up article.
We are working with our elected representatives and the press at this time. We think it is our best shot at some kind of immediate relief and future resolution. We will schedule a meeting when we have any information and are ready for other actions.
It is important for you to carefully consider the ramifications of Caltrans slumlord actions. We cannot advise you on legal action, if you come to that point. We can suggest resources and get you in contact with people who may be able to help you. Some tenants have the resolve and the will to fight for what they know is an unjust and immoral rent increase by Caltrans. They are prepared to bring forth the facts of their circumstances in proof of slumlord behavior by Caltrans. Including major maintenance issues, violations of Caltrans own policies, fraudulent appeal procedures, etc. They are prepared to hire attorneys if necessary. They are prepared to refuse to pay this rent increase due today. Others cannot or will not and we understand. That's what makes us a democracy. But you need to consider the following as well………
These may be rented houses we live in, but we consider them our homes. Many of us have lived in the corridor for 10, 20 even 30 years. We are a neighborhood. We have a right to a safe and healthy home with reasonable rent rates and increases. Caltrans is a state agency that should be held up to a higher standard than the private sector. They are paid by us and work for us. As Suzanne Reed said in her remarks last Saturday, "Caltrans needs to understand - because you have might, does not make you right."
This is what you can do. If you have ANY information regarding any of the above, please get in touch with us. We need testimony as to your treatment from Caltrans.
We need letters to the Editor. We need calls to the media. We need volunteers for immediate projects like walkers to get notices to tenants. We need your eyes and ears as to Caltrans activities. We need to know if you are a tenant who has just received an eviction notice. We have a website that can provide you information. Do you have suggestions for it? There are a few of us doing a lot. We need your help.
This is a time for you to make a stand for your home, your rights, and your neighborhood! Be strong! We are in this together!
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