As we enter into the new year, we are continuing our efforts to hold wealthy corporations accountable and fight for justice for our communities. One of the most pressing issues we are facing across the country among the COVID-19 pandemic is housing.  

Tenants across the country collectively owe an estimated $70 billion in back rent. With the worsening of COVID-19 and continued job loss, many in our communities are struggling to pay rent and mortgages. Furthermore, due to the historic and ongoing racism embedded in the housing system, the eviction crisis is disproportionately targeting Black and Brown communities, who are already experiencing the greatest burden of the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Today, we are releasing a report calling out the corporate landlords, who despite receiving tax-payer dollars in the form of COVID-related assistance and other subsidies, have continued to file eviction cases in the middle of a global health crisis.

With the release of this report, we need your help: call on President-elect Biden and the new Congress and tell them its time to immediately halt all evictions and cancel the rent!

Last year, at least 197 corporate landlords received $320 million in federal COVID subsidies. These landlords, including Ventron Management, Madera Residential, and Mid-America Apartment Communities, collectively filed at least 5,381 evictions between March and October of 2020.  

Corporate landlords take public dollars, subsidies and tax breaks, while driving up the rent and making housing unaffordable for so many people. Companies like AvalonBay Communities, Blackstone, and Carlyle Group took public dollars and have continued to file evictions during the pandemic. 

This is unacceptable; taxpayer dollars should not be used to subsidize evictions by corporate landlords and worsen the housing crisis. Instead, public dollars should be used to support communities and address the vast economic inequality that has been exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis.  

We are calling on corporate landlords and the federal government to immediately stop all evictions and cancel rents and mortgages.  

Join us by signing this petition to President-elect Biden and Congress to take swift and effective action.  

In solidarity, 

Scott Klinger 

Jobs With Justice