03/26/2020
Dear Gables Residential,
Through these unprecedented times, it is valuable that our voices, as tenants, be heard and that we are a part of the conversation that would directly impact our lives through this crisis. As a representative of Dunwoody Gables People Before Property, I am here to detail the experiences of the tenants and request direct actions you can take to alleviate some of those hardships we are currently facing. We hope through times like this, compassion and empathy are at the forefront of all decision making as well as the well-being of your tenants.
With the COVID 19 crisis beginning, many of us have been either laid off or had our hours significantly reduced. While each experience is different, we are all facing hardship in one way or another. Many of the tenants that I’ve spoken to are greatly worried about the months of rent that are following up since the little resources they have are being used to feed their families or keep the lights on. Others are placed in an unfavorable situation of their lease expiring at the end of this month or next month, and with no income coming, and in many cases, unemployed, they are wondering if they will even have any housing security. Furthermore, local, state and federal governments have mandated many businesses remain close until the crisis is over, and it is now beyond the will of the tenants to escape unemployment. Most of us have made calls to credit card companies, electricity companies, phone, internet, and other companies to extend payments. We are more worried about if in two weeks we’ll have enough resources to keep purchasing groceries or afford medical care if, unfortunately, we get the COVID 19 virus.
As a community, we have communicated our own experiences and needs, and have come up with several direct requests that would greatly help us through this crisis. First, we request to suspend and forgive all rent payments until the duration of this crisis, including fees and penalties. Second, we request to allow all tenants that will currently have their leases expire, either for April or May, to be able to extend their lease without any fee or penalties for the duration of the crisis. Along with allowing tenants to extend their lease, we also request to allow any tenant to cancel their lease without any fee or penalty, and a return of their security deposit. Lastly, with the city order placing a moratorium on evictions, we request that the tenants who cannot pay rent for the duration of this crisis, not to be reported to any agency that could affect the tenant’s credit or any other kind of repercussion when the COVID 19 crisis ends. We believe nobody should be indicted in any capacity for something they had no control over. We want to remain indoors, as suggested by the CDC and enforced by local, state, and federal governments to flatten the curve so this crisis can end sooner rather than later.
As a result of the unique circumstances this crisis has brought, we had to find manners to organize effectively while also keeping in mind the safety of our community. Dunwoody Gables has been actively preventing us from organizing, which has been putting the safety of our tenants at risk. By not allowing us to have access to the online Bulletin Board, to place flyers along the buildings, and not to pass out folded flyers on tenant’s doors without threats of calling the police for ‘soliciting,’ it is has been antithetical to the American right to organize. Dunwoody Gables management should have given us access to organizing the manner we first intended to, but all we have encountered were threats and verbal aggression. In a time of economic stress and uncertainty, management should be willing to assist the tenants of the community rather than antagonize them. This must change for the safety of our community and the relationship between tenants and management.
This letter has been cosponsored by the 85 members that make up our Tenant Council. Also, attached down below are signatures of tenants and supporters who support the requests we are making, and the executive orders that must be followed for reference. We would greatly appreciate a response to our requests by the end of the business day Friday, March 27th, so our tenant council can have time to discuss actions moving further. Thank you for your time, and please stay safe.
Sincerely yours,
Dunwoody Gables People Before Property
