INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Independence Towers Tenant Union and Quality Hill Towers Tenant Union, which are both organized through KC Tenants, launched their rent strikes on Tuesday after they say their property owners, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Fannie Mae, failed to meet their demands by Monday.
The unions authorized the strikes on Friday, and they officially went into effect Tuesday morning.
Both unions asked for national rent caps on federally-financed properties, new owners and collectively bargained leases.
READ MORE | KC Tenants prepares for first-ever rent strikes; 2 Kansas City area unions authorize strike for October
"We do not take our decision to launch a rent strike lightly," said Anna Heetman, a member of the Independence Towers Tenant Union.
Collectively, both unions will withhold over $60,000 in rent this month, according to KC Tenants.
This summer, Independence Towers tenants told KSHB 41 News about a lack of air conditioning, an intentionally set fire that impacted 27 units, and their frustrations with poor maintenance and safety measures.
Residents there say they've also dealt with roach and bed bug infestations and poor plumbing.
The union was established on May 2 after they say they lived without hot water for two weeks.
On July 29, a 3-year-old boy died after falling from an eighth-story window at the apartment building.
Two parents were charged in the death, but they allege the window did not properly lock.
One of the parents allege they had submitted multiple requests to the apartment to fix the window, according to court documents.
KSHB 41 News spoke with tenants at Quality Hill Towers — located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri — in September 2023 about a list of complaints.
Their complaints alleged the building had flooding, roaches, bed bugs and mouse infestations.
The PR team for Sentinel Real Estate Corporation, which owns Quality Hill Towers, provided the following comment to KSHB 41:
Management has been working with the union in good faith for more than a year and continues to respect and affirm tenants’ rights to organize. However, claims being made by the tenant union are false. The work being demanded either has already been completed or is underway – executing a rent strike will only impede the property’s ability to complete these necessary repairs. This outcome would negatively impact all residents – even those who choose not to participate in the rent strike.
What’s more, rental increase examples being used by the tenant union are those of residents switching from long-term leases to short-term or month-to-month leases, which automatically result in their rental rates adjusting from a meaningful discount to comparable properties in the area to market rate for similar units. Since 2020, residents who choose to renew their leases have seen annual increases of approximately 3% on average, which is in line with the renewal rate increase cap the tenant union is requesting. We have also at times offered concessions of $250 to $750 to residents who choose to renew rather than move out or go short-term/month-to-month.
We value our tenants and care about their living experience. This is why we continue to take steps to ensure their satisfaction and comfort. We believe the tenant union’s rent strike is misguided, short-sighted and has the potential to create negative consequences for the entire property. This rent strike is not a legally protected action in the state of Missouri and participation puts tenants at risk of violating their lease agreement. Accordingly, we encourage our residents to maintain their regular rent payments and consider all the facts. The grace period for residents to submit rent is until 11:59 pm CDT on October 3rd.
"We gave the (Federal Housing Finance Agency) and Fannie Mae a last chance to come to the table; they failed to do so, so now, we strike," Heetman said.
Fannie Mae backed loans to finance both properties, according to KC Tenants.
A Fannie Mae spokesperson provided the following statement to KSHB 41 News on Tuesday in response to the strike:
“Through its actions resulting in the Receiver’s appointment by the Jackson County Court, Fannie Mae has provided resources and worked closely with the Receiver to address needed repairs, including repairs tenants have brought to the awareness of the Receiver and property management company. Fannie Mae remains committed to supporting ongoing work the Receiver needs to complete until the property has been placed into new ownership.”
The Federal Housing Finance Agency provided the following statement to KC Tenants via email:
“As regulator and conservator of Fannie Mae, the backer of the loan that financed both properties, we are committed to doing everything within our authority to work with Fannie Mae to make repairs at the properties, where legally permissible."
According to Independence Towers Tenant Union members, some residents have been withholding rent for months.
"I don't think there's a judge in this state that would actually evict us with the conditions we live with," said Chris Carlton, a member of the Independence Towers Tenants Union.
Union members say they will hold out until their demands are met.
Both unions will hold a picket line on Friday at their respective locations to signify the late-pay fee date.
"I don't think I should have to leave my home," said Hunter Stephens, a member of the Independence Towers Tenant Union. "I don't think I should have to leave the community I have built."
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KSHB 41 reporter Lily O’Shea Becker covers Franklin and Douglas counties in Kansas. Share your story idea with Lily.