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Pasadena Faith-Based Community Walk the Talk on Rent Control
News Apr 27, 2018
Pasadena Museum of History Board President William E. Thomson, Jr., Esq - Courtesy photo / Jim Staub
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By Alex Cordero
On Tuesday, April 24, Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), Throop and Pasadena Tenants Union united to host a Faith-Based Walk to explore the housing issues in Pasadena. After a quick introduction of everyone participating, the group set directions to meet at the corner of Parke St. and Marengo Ave.
With petitions attached to clipboards and PTU’s representatives taking the lead they set out in groups to be part of the PTU’s canvass process to collect signatures for the Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment for Rent Control and Just Cause bill petition. The bill is structured to preserve affordable housing and afford protections for renters. This charter amendment would also prohibit landlords from evicting a tenant except for specified reasons and limit the amount that landlords could increase the rent.
The Faith-Based walk was a fresh take on giving the community the opportunity to have an up close and personal experience of the negative impact the raising cost of rent in Pasadena is having. It also gave them the opportunity to meet with the people directly affected by the housing crisis and listen to their struggles and concerns caused by rent increase.
The walk was successful in giving the sense of urgency in resolving this matter by obtaining signatures for the petition on rent control in Pasadena. The Faith-Based Walk also served as a form of advocacy in getting the word out by keeping the community informed about their rights as tenants and building that relationship with the locals being the most affected by rent increases in the area.
Knock after knock, door by door, CLUE Throop and PTU are on a mission to making sure everyone affected by the housing crisis know that they are not alone. They are inviting the community to join their next meeting Thursday May 10th, at 7 pm at 300 S Los Robles Cross St Throop Church to stay informed and get updated on the initiatives taking place to end the housing crisis.
The PTU wants everyone in the community to be aware of their organizations and be informed of the many types of support and resources they offer to help the community . This event was also informative about the preparations the PTU is organizing to be prepared for the outcome the Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment for Rent Control and Just Cause will have once the bill is passed.
After collecting a few more signatures the group decided to continue their walk and regroup at a local park nearby. Together at a bench they briefly discussed the experience they encountered while canvassing and the challenges the come by with presenting the petition for rent control. PTU touched on several issues the rising cost of rent in Pasadena is causing such as discrimination against families, and how gentrification is getting easier to identify.
The walk served as a form of inspiration for the participants to get involved and encourage them to pledge to collect much needed signatures to submit the amendment to the Pasadena City Council. Pioneering PTU volunteers hope to effect change and help renters who are struggling with the high cost of housing in Pasadena.
With supportive community groups such as CLUE and Throop these organizations are full proof that they have what it takes to talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to rent control in Pasadena.
For more information about signing the petition and obtain complete Summary of the Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment Provisions please visit www.pasadenatenantsunion.com or email info@pasadenatenantsunion.com
