The Fair Housing Project of CVOEO and its Thriving Communities partners stand with the Tenants of 300 Main St. in Winooski and urge the Bove family to reconsider plans to evict 24 families from the property.

Although the timing of the eviction notice exceeds what is required by Vermont landlord/tenant law, in this housing climate, it will be very difficult for the families to find suitable housing. These families and others in the community are already facing significant challenges to getting their needs met.

In a recently published report presented to the Winooski Planning Commission, The Winooski Housing Commission identified a gap in rental units with multiple bedrooms which would be suitable for family housing. The bedroom counts for rentals currently permitted or under construction (as of 1/20/21) indicate that the gap in family rental housing is being widened by current housing development trends in Winooski. As families are forced to find housing outside the city, families being displaced will likely have to relocate their children to new school systems, some people may be facing longer commutes to work, and some may even have to leave their jobs if they are unable to find housing near public transportation. For families who were recently placed in Winooski by refugee resettlement agencies, this may mean rebuilding their network of resources and community connections. These challenges will surely be compounded by the higher rate of discrimination that communities of color, families with children, people with disabilities, and New Americans face within this tight housing market. In our last Thriving Communities post, we highlighted some of the many stories we heard of residents living in a state of uncertainty and fear related to the future stability of their homes. In a more recent Know Your Rights training, one Winooski resident expressed frustration at how challenging it is to find housing, noting that they were only able to navigate the housing system because they had help from a friend who worked at the school. They asked, How do people find housing if they do not have friends or family who live here to help them?

Please see the recent statement from Winooski Mutual Aid below, as well as the news article from Seven Days and Vermont Public Radio and raise your voices in support of these families.

Winooski Mutual Aid
STATEMENT IN SOLIDARITY WITH FAMILIES AT 300 MAIN ST., WINOOSKI

For immediate release 2.14.2022

On February 2nd, Rick Bove, owner of 300 Main Street apartment complex in Winooski, served
a notice to all 24 residing families that they must vacate their homes no later than June 30th or
July 1st, 2022 so that he can undertake “major renovations” to the property.

• Winooski Mutual Aid stands in solidarity with all families living at 300 Main Street facing
  displacement and families across Winooski dealing with similar housing crises. Housing is a Human Right. We believe in safe, affordable, and stable housing for everyone.
• We believe that the no cause termination for the entire property of 300 Main St is a form of unjust violence that disproportionately harms immigrants and Black and Brown people in Winooski.
• We acknowledge that the current housing crisis has been long standing and is a result of systemic racism and discriminatory laws which disproportionately impact Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. Winooski housing policy is not exempt.
• We believe that the current housing crisis and eviction rates in Winooski are a collective problem, and that we must work together in order to reduce barriers for families experiencing housing instability and facing being unhoused. This is for our collective liberation.
• We envision a community which works together to find solutions for families experiencing crisis and marginalization due to systemic violence, such as this housing crisis.
• We acknowledge that upwards of 50 children, many who receive English support will be directly impacted by a forced displacement. We believe children should have access to predictability within their education. Forcing children into unfamiliar schools against their families’ will is inhumane.
• We acknowledge that this pending eviction threatens the critical language access available in Winooski which most of the multilingual families at 300 Main St. depend on for their children’s education, access to employment, health care, resources, and social well-being.
• We believe in harm reduction and trauma-informed community care. We understand the impact on mental health, overall wellness, and trauma that disruptive uprooting has on children, their families, and the community.
• We believe everyone has the right to access information and resources, and in language access. We acknowledge that communicating with various multilingual communities costs money. As a result, too often BIPOC and immigrant community members go unpaid for the labor they provide in support of their communities.
• We believe in fair compensation of multilingual community members who step into the invaluable role of interpreting.
• We believe that the city and their community partners should follow the path of solidarity in providing affected families with no-cost access to interpretation and translation throughout this termination and pending eviction process.

Our Ask:
We ask for Mayor Lott, City Councilors, and the Winooski Housing Commission to come
together with interpreters to listen to the residents of 300 Main St. and community allies to find
solutions to identified challenges and requests. People should not have to navigate this on their
own, and as a city which prides itself on multiculturalism, diversity, and anti-racism, being
advocates and listening to families in this situation is imperative. Housing instability cannot
continue to be put on the back burner; it is the forefront of stress, anxiety, and retraumatization
for many people in our community right now. The fact that this is within the realm of possibility
displays the unjust housing policies and lack of access to safe, stable and affordable housing for
many of the most marginalized people in our small one-square mile community.

For context:
300 Main St. in Winooski is one of the few large complexes that offers housing at below market
rent and has 3+ bedroom units. Three and four bedroom rentals are increasingly difficult to find, yet often necessary for housing multigenerational and larger family sizes. Both of these family compositions are common in many of the immigrant communities in Winooski.
Because the rental price at 300 Main St. falls within Section 8 guidelines and the rent is
considered “more affordable,” many residents are Section 8 recipients and/or with lower-income.

Almost all of the residents at 300 Main St. are New Americans, some have been in the US for
one to two years and are just getting their bearings to the new culture and systems here.
The vast majority of the children and families living at 300 Main St are multilingual and still
acquiring English; as a result they are receiving intensive language support from the Winooski
School District. These supports include multilingual teachers at the elementary, middle and
high school and multilingual liaisons who support parents and families in navigating the American education system, interpreting at parent teacher conferences, translating school
communications, etc.

Winooski Mutual Aid believes in community care, joy, and celebration of all people and cultures. We are in solidarity with families experiencing systemic violence across the city and beyond all settler colonialism borders. Safety and housing is a human right.

If you have questions or concerns about your tenancy, conditions of your lease, or your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, you can call our Vermont Tenant Hotline at (802) 864-0099 or email at VTTenants@cvoeo.org.

If you are new to renting or just want a broader understanding of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, you may take our free online Tenant Skills Class anytime here. 

Please feel free to refer to our Definitive Guide for Renting in Vermont for specific renter guidances. You can also find it on our website anytime at cvoeo.org/vermont-tenants

If you or your organization needs information, training, or referral services regarding fair housing rights, and responsibilities, or if you are concerned you are experiencing housing discrimination, CVOEO’s Fair Housing Project can assist you. cvoeo.org/fhp 

You can reach us by phone at 802-660-3456 Ext. 106 or email us at fhp@cvoeo.org

Renters’ information in other languages

Fair Housing information in other languages
(look under More Info & Resources)