CALL TO ACTION – Rent Too DAMN High Virtual Rally and In-Person Protest at Government Center!
The rent in Miami is OUT OF CONTROL! Horror stories are coming to light daily of families having to empty their savings account and use their credit cards, just to be able to stay in their homes. Any attempts to avoid the increases by moving are futile, as the rent increase is happening all across Miami-Dade, and even moving into smaller 1-bedroom and studio apartments has become economically impossible. New data just released by Realtor.com revealed rent in South Florida rose about 50% compared to last year, the most of anywhere in the nation. Median rent is now $2,800 a month.
Tenants are outraged and taking to the streets! They’re demanding that Miami leaders do more to protect renters from economic disaster and displacement from their homes. The affordable housing crisis has always been a challenge for Miamians, but after the pandemic and the recent influx of out-of-towners it has become even more impossible to afford for long-time residents. Tenants are demanding that the county offer more protections for tenants, like fair notice for rent increases, legal assistance for disputes, and financial assistance, just to name a few.
Tenants will be taking two actions in the coming weeks to make their voices heard:
Virtual Rally on Saturday March 5th
Tenants will be sharing their stories and testimonials via social media with the hashtags #RentTooDamnHigh and #CantAffordMiami. Tenants with stories to share can videorecord their stories and send them to Adrian Madriz at adrian@smash.miami
Protest and Press Conference at Government Center on Tues. March 15th
The Board of County Commissioners will be gathering for their regular meeting and the tenants of Miami will be there making their voices heard. Action begins at 9AM with a rally and press conference in the main courtyard of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center.
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This series of actions is being organized jointly by a coalition of housing rights organizations in Miami, including: Women with Broken Heals, MCARE, Miami Climate Alliance, PEER Group, Urban Health Partnerships and SMASH.
