KC Tenants Makes Monumental Statement with First-Ever Rent Strike

KC Tenants initiates a groundbreaking rent strike in protest of deplorable living conditions and demanding national rent caps. The post KC Tenants Makes Monumental Statement with First-Ever Rent Strike appeared first on The Kansas City Defender.

KC Tenants Makes Monumental Statement with First-Ever Rent Strike
Image of KC Tenants outside of Quality Hill Towers, courtesy of KC Tenants Instagram

KANSAS CITY, MO – Last week, tenants of Quality Hill Towers and Independence Towers decided to authorize the first-ever rent strike in KC Tenants history. The strike is scheduled to commence today as part of a coordinated national campaign aimed at federally-financed properties and the demand for national rent caps.

These rent strikes represent the first time efforts have been targeted at the Federal Housing Finance Authority.

KC Tenants, the city-wide tenant union, announced the strike on Instagram last Friday, stating, 

“If the Federal Housing Finance Authority fails to negotiate, or if the landlords fail to do so by 5 PM today, THE STRIKE IS ON.”

Rent Strike Flyer shared on KC Tenants Instagram

In a previous report by KC Defender, the lethal living conditions at Quality Hill Towers and the exploitative practices of the landlord were exposed. Residents endured a day without water, followed by a four-day flooding catastrophe that affected floors, stairwells, and common areas. 

Just last month, Independence Towers and landlord Parker Webb faced warranted criticism after the tragic death of a young Black child who fell from an 8th-floor window. The child’s parents had informed the landlord and property manager of the broken window, but no action was taken. 

According to KC Tenants’ Instagram, the rent strike is a strategic collective action where tenants will withhold their rent to achieve a set of demands:

  • National rent caps
  • New ownerships
  • Collectively bargained leases

KC Tenants will kick off the rent strike with a 9 AM rally at Quality Hill Towers and a 10 AM rally at Independence Towers today.

This story is developing.

The post KC Tenants Makes Monumental Statement with First-Ever Rent Strike appeared first on The Kansas City Defender.