Bozeman tenants are unionizing and threatening a rent strike over alleged problems

BOZEMAN – More than 40 members of Bozeman’s Tenants United staged a protest Friday at the Bridger Heights apartment complex, announcing they had successfully formed a union for the government-subsidized building and threatening a rent strike over what they said were botched maintenance issues , safety issues and problems were. illegal retaliation by the company managing the property.

A total of 29 units in the apartment complex have unionized, according to organizer Emily Lashelle, who helped organize the protest. Police were eventually called by property management, although no arrests were made.

“This had to happen many years ago,” Lashelle told Montana Free Press. “The current landlords, 11 Capital, must be held accountable. They have taken advantage of rent money, tax money and government subsidies to build and buy these buildings that are not being maintained.”

Chanting “Not a cent more for the slum lord” and “Our money for our houses for our people,” tenants handed a list of demands to 11 Capital, which operates the largely government-funded Section 8 housing complex that includes about 50 units . who rent for a price below market value.

Citing maintenance issues including untreated black mold, radon, plumbing issues and unreasonable apartment inspections, the group demanded a payout of $5,000 or 50 percent of the total rent paid to 11 Capital for each of the 29 units that make up the tenants association. The tenants also requested lease negotiations and other provisions related to a future sale of the complex.

Bozeman Deputy Mayor Joey Morrison and Commissioner Emma Bode attended Friday’s meeting and both expressed support for the newly formed union.

“I know this is an issue that keeps a lot of the committee up at night,” Morrison said, addressing the crowd and reminding attendees that it is illegal under the Fair Housing Act for landlords to retaliate against tenants who are trying to form a coalition. union.

“It shouldn’t have gotten to this point,” Bode told those present at the protest. “11 Capital and other commercial landlords should do better by their tenants.”

Renter Ozaa Echomaker told MTFP that she has lived in Bridger Heights since 2019 and feels “trapped” in her apartment by government regulations that limit how much time she can spend attending classes and how much money she can make as a college student and as a single. mother.

“This is the only place in Bozeman I can afford, and I can’t afford to leave,” Echomaker said. “It’s a double-edged sword.”

When asked what she would do with her $5,000 payout as the union demanded, Echomaker said she would use it to make a down payment on another apartment and move out of Bridger Heights.

For tenant Delisa DeVargas, who says she has lived in the complex for 14 years, the demands are just one way the union is holding what she describes as their “business owners” accountable.

“The buildings are falling apart,” DeVargas said, “There is no security – security systems or surveillance – and I feel like they are working very hard to silence our voices.”

DeVargas went on to say she believes the success of other tenant associations across the country is proof the model can work here in Bozeman. She said the government should hold landlords who work with Section 8 tenants accountable if they fail to adequately maintain their properties.

“I want landlords to be held accountable for the mess they’ve made, not just of the property, but of people’s lives,” DeVargas said.

However, because 21 units in Bridger Heights have not unionized, there is a significant group of tenants who disagree with the demands, said property manager Laura Manners, who called police Friday and threatened charges against those who had gathered for the protest. .

Manners told MTFP she felt blindsided by the protest. Although she initially supported Bozeman Tenants United organizers, the group quickly fell out of favor after causing disturbances around the property, she said.

“They have been knocking on people’s doors relentlessly, and they won’t leave them alone,” Manners said, describing the list of demands presented to her on Friday as “stupid.”

She said Bridger Heights residents include the elderly, those experiencing domestic violence and vulnerable people with mental health issues who don’t want the extra attention from the tenant association.

“They’ve clung to this property for whatever reason, and it’s ridiculous. We have residents who cannot stand being on site,” said Manners.

Friday’s event makes Bridger Heights Bozeman Tenants United’s second successful union project, following a similar turnaround at the nearby Bridger Peaks Apartments last year.