06/29/09
Not your average appeal letter
Help Build the Movement for Tenants Rights: Join the Tenants Union!
Washington State tenants have won important legal protections, but these rights don't go far enough. Help build the movement to protect and expand tenants rights and make the promise of safe, healthy, affordable housing a reality: 
Greetings,
The movement for tenants’ rights in Washington is more than 32 years old. Thanks to the dedication of countless supporters, the Tenants Union has won many victories for dignity and justice in our homes and in our communities.
The struggles have never been easy and the road to justice is long. But thanks to the many tenants who have stood up with courage and conviction, the Tenants Union of Washington presses onward. Your continued involvement will ensure that the movement for housing and tenant justice will grow. Your support now is more critical than ever.
Washington tenants call everyday facing imminent loss of their housing. Funding sources are drying up just as the need is increasing. The Tenants Union is facing a serious financial crisis that threatens the future of the tenants’ rights movement. Cuts in government funding, leadership transitions, and a hard economy are all taking a toll. Still, we can preserve and strengthen the movement for justice that the Tenants Union of Washington has built over the last three decades.
“The Tenants Union effectively demonstrated how abusive practices were really hurting, not just a few, but many tenants and so we were able to win deep, meaningful institutional reform.” – Eric Dunn, Housing Attorney, Northwest Justice Project
Your donation today will ensure that the Tenants Union has the resources to secure the future of the movement. Your donation to the Tenants Union will sustain the work and continue to build on these recent successes;
- In 2009 the Section Eight Tenants Organizing Project (STOP) mobilized at the grassroots to win concrete policy changes from local housing authorities to expand the rights of low-income tenants. This victory prevents arbitrary evictions and the loss of housing subsidies.
“To stand alongside the Tenants Union fighting to win the source of income bill and to become part of the Tenants Union’s rich and amazing history is an honor.” – Chris Jussero, Tenants Union member and section 8 voucher tenant
- Despite a tough 2009 legislative session, the Tenants Union helped pass a new law giving tenants 60 days notice in the event that the landlord’s property is foreclosed. Before Governor Gregoire signed the bill into law on April 30th, tenants had no legal right to notice. The Tenants Union also made significant advances towards winning improved civil rights protections based on a renter’s source of income and helped defeat new attempts by landlord associations to weaken the rights of Washington’s tenants.
“The collective power that we have when we work together is key to winning respect for our right to safe and affordable housing. That’s why I’m asking you to support and strengthen the Tenants Union.” – Stephanie Sherrell, TU board of directors
- The Tenants Union’s education program served thousands in 2008 and we continue to work with tenants who face eviction and homelessness. Tenants receive critical help from the Tenants Union that helps them stay in their homes and to win safe and just conditions.
Give what you can today! If the Tenants Union raises $25,000 by July 16th, we will keep the doors open.
Thank you for your continued support. Click here to make a donation via the Network for Good
PS – If 700 people give just $70, we will meet our goal and continue the fight for tenants’ rights in Washington. Please give!