Greensboro Tenants' Union

10/19/2020

For those that may need some assistance in a time of need, feel free to check this out.

❗ICYMI! Are you behind on rent or utilities? Applications from low- and moderate-income renters experiencing financial hardships due to COVID-19 are now being accepted online. The NC HOPE Program provides rent and utility assistance to qualifying applicants.
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RENTERS CAN APPLY NOW: nc211.org/hope.
NC 211

❗¿Está atrasado en el pago de alquiler o servicios públicos? Ahora se están aceptando solicitudes en línea por Internet de inquilinos, cuyos ingresos vayan de bajos a moderados, y que estén atravesando por dificultades económicas debido a COVID-19. El Programa HOPE ofrece asistencia para el pago de alquiler y servicios públicos a solicitantes que cumplan los requisitos.
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LOS INQUILINOS PUEDEN HACER SU SOLICITUD AHORA: nc211.org/hope.NC 2111

09/25/2020

Hello all! Just a tidbit of information to share if you may be in need :)

07/21/2020

Car protest in solidarity with Southern Towers tenants this Thursday the 23rd at 4:30/5pm

Before Thursday:
- Invite people to join the action! Talk to people you know as well as posting on social media. ;)
See attachments for some graphics with more information about the campaign.

- Make a sign or two! Some standard slogans include "housing is a human right", "no pay, no rent", "eviction = death", and "food not rent".
Bell Partners recently closed its most recent funding campaign (Bell Apartment Fund VII) at 950 million of capital investments, which exceeded its goal of 800 million. The fund will be applied as a value-add strategy, which means that they'll buy properties cheap, make "improvements", and hike up the rent.
Specific slogans can address these actions, such as "value-add strategy = price gouging".

On Thursday:
*Wear a mask!*

- If you're able, arrive at 4:30pm with sign-making and messaging supplies: poster paper, markers, tape, liquid chalk pens (to write on cars). We'll chat and do a quick art build so that people know why we're protesting!
Make sure that any signs are either affixed safely to your car, or have a passenger hold them.

- Arrive by 5:00pm to hear the confirmed route, number of circles, and get lined up to head out.

- Make sure to honk it up as you pass the Wells Fargo building (BP hq), the sheriff's office, and the courthouse! These are the institutions that decide to start and enforce evictions.

Over 100 Southern Towers tenants have been sued by their landlord already, and many of them have gone to court this week for their initial hearing. Let's stand up to Bell Partners together and demand that our neighbors near and far be treated as humans, not sources of profit.
https://dcist.com/story/20/07/15/alexandria-va-eviction-rally-southern-towers-housing/

07/07/2020

👀

07/02/2020

PUSH BACK ON BELL PARTNERS: PHONE ZAP
Call Bell Partners and demand NO EVICTIONS!

Bell Partners is a predatory corporation with regional offices across the U.S. Let's let them know the people are paying attention, we are connecting across state lines, and we demand they do not evict tenants during a global pandemic.

WHAT IS BELL PARTNERS
It is a massive corporation whose business model relies on buying up existing buildings then raising rents to force people out. It is a gentrifying force across the southeastern United States. In response to the global pandemic, Bell Partners has ignored tenant requests for maintenance and sanitation in common areas, is offering no rent relief to tenants, and is threatening mass evictions.

*Please see our previous Bell Partners post for more info.

SAMPLE PHONE SCRIPT
I am a renter in _______ and want you to know I could never rent from a corporation who evicts people during a global pandemic. Listen to the needs of your tenants and do not evict. People all over the country are watching to see how Bell Partners handles this crisis. People are already struggling to survive. Do not choose to further endanger lives for the sake of your profits.

REGIONAL OFFICES
San Francisco, CA (336) 232-1986
Orlando, FL (704) 887-2351
Atlanta, GA (704) 887-2342
Charlotte, NC (704) 887-2342
Greensboro, NC (Headquarters)
(336) 232-1900*
Raleigh, NC (336) 232-5501
Wilmington, NC (910) 791-1393
Dallas, TX (336) 387-5431
Washington, D.C. (336) 232-5503

Please call the regional office nearest to you and the headquarters in Greensboro, or if you can, call them all! We are organizing a direct action in Greensboro TBA in the next two weeks.

06/24/2020

PUSH BACK ON BELL PARTNERS: NO EVICTIONS!

Tenants of Bell Partners need your support! Greensboro Tenants Union is joining with Stomp Out Slumlords of DC and Housing Justice Now of Winston-Salem to help people keep their homes and fight back against this predatory corporation.

WHAT IS BELL PARTNERS
Bell Partners is a predatory corporation whose business model relies on buying up existing buildings then raising rents to force people out. They are a gentrifying force across the southeastern United States. In response to the global pandemic, Bell Partners has ignored tenant requests for maintenance and sanitation in common areas, is offering no rent relief to tenants, and is threatening mass evictions.

SOLIDARITY WITH ALEXANDRIA
Tenants in their Southern Towers property in Alexandria, VA have gotten organized and attempted to come to an agreement, but management refuses to listen and is using intimidation tactics to force people out. They are also harassing community leaders in their buildings for exchanging contact information and talking to neighbors about their experiences and their rights. Like most landlords, Bell Partners relies on tenants not knowing our rights so they can continue to make money at our expense. Let's build community power across state lines! The headquarters for Bell Partners, Inc. is HERE IN GREENSBORO. There are also 3 Bell Partners properties in our city (one is not yet open).

HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT ALL THE TIME. TO FORCE PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOMES DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC IS MORALLY BANKRUPT.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
-Share this info
-Contact Bell Partners via social media and phone demanding NO EVICTIONS
GSO headquarters: 336.232.1900
D.C. regional office: 336.232.5503
-Be on the lookout for an upcoming direct action in Greensboro

TELL BELL PARTNERS NO MORE PREYING ON OUR COMMUNITIES. WE WILL BE UNIFIED, AND WE WILL BE INFORMED.

06/20/2020

We are trying to prepare for the inevitable wave of evictions that will begin June 22nd when the moratorium on evictions is lifted. If you’re interested in helping folks who are facing eviction we will be seeking helpers for courtwatching, eviction defense, etc. direct message or email is!

06/12/2020

‪We’re getting an influx of calls, and are dealing with them as fast as we can. We want to support you, but have been having some technical difficulties! ❤️‬
Thank you for your patience

06/06/2020

It is alleged that it would take $20 billion to effectively end homelessness. Although, we know there are approximately 15,000 vacant homes in Greensboro, it doesn’t have to cost much to give them away to people who need a place to live.
Abolish the Police. Housing for all.

Art from on ig

06/03/2020

We stand with the protestors across America right now fighting against racial injustice.
We know that Greensboro Police kill. They killed Marcus Smith, a black houseless man who was experiencing a mental health crisis and was asking for help in 2018.
Justice for Marcus Smith
Justice for George Floyd