Springfield Tenant Union Fights for Affordable Housing Amid Rising Home Prices

In response to soaring home prices and a lack of affordable housing options, the Springfield Tenant Union has emerged as a proactive force, aiming to address these pressing issues head-on.

Formed in 2020, the Springfield Tenants Unite has become a crucial advocate for tenants who have been adversely affected by job losses and housing insecurity during the pandemic.

According to Alice Barber, a member of Springfield Tenants Unite, "The pandemic was causing lots of people to lose their jobs because they weren’t essential workers. People couldn’t pay their rent, and everyone was just being evicted left and right."

One such individual impacted by these challenges is Peter Crookshanks, who has been without a stable home for over four years. "Lockdown went through May and our lease was up in May, so we lost the apartment, and since then I’ve just been couch surfing," Crookshanks shared.

Facing a lack of affordable housing and struggling with income limitations, many tenants like Crookshanks are turning to community support and organizations like Springfield Tenants United for assistance.

"When we work to have more affordable housing, that helps folks who are currently homeless being able to get into housing and not have things like past evictions on your record stopping you from that. That’s something Springfield Tenants Unite fight for," Barber emphasized.

The Tenant Union is actively pushing for two key city policies: rental licensing and inspection, and tenants' rights to council. These initiatives are aimed at ensuring safe, accessible, and affordable housing options for residents, thereby maintaining the city's affordable housing stock.

"We want to see the City of Springfield pass rental licensing and inspection and we want them to pass tenants' rights to council," stated Barber, highlighting the importance of these measures in addressing the housing crisis.

With numerous individuals in Springfield facing similar challenges, the Tenant Union is optimistic that collaborative efforts with the city will lead to meaningful solutions that benefit tenants and promote housing stability.

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