Jackie Barnes
Graphic Designer
When we fight, we win! Working as a Samia tenant advocate.
In April of 2020 I organized with other tenants to create a union.
We have been advocating for our rights as tenants. We have won rent reductions, release from illegal leases, and compliance with housing code. We are continuing to fight for ongoing support for those affected by COVID-19, create lasting connections to keep our union in place after we have left, and getting Samia to fix unsafe housing conditions that we experience.
We held a successful protest at the Samia headquarters, weekly meetings for organizing tactics, and have shed light on their illegal tactics to bully tenants and charge to much for apartments that are falling apart and go uncleaned between tenants. In a time where we all must remain at home, it is more important than ever to have a safe environment to remain in. We are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement as black renters face higher rates of evictions than their white counter parts and we hope our advocacy can reduce those evictions and unfair housing practices.
If you have lost your job due to COVID-19 and don’t know how you are going to make rent, please join us. We hold meetings every Monday at 6pm. We work closely with City Life Vida Urbana, Greater Boston Legal Services, and the Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation to ENSURE we are handling tenant advocacy right and that our work will have a truly lasting impact.
Reach our email at: Aimas1tenants@gmail.com