This is a sample of the demand letter and petition tenants at Parc Fontaine are delivering to the mayor and city councilmembers of New Orleans.
We, the Parc Fontaine Tenants Union in conjunction with the Renters’ Rights Assembly, are insisting to have an audience with Council Member Freddie King and Mayor Latoya Cantrell or a representative from their offices to address the extreme habitability issues at Parc Fontaine and the lack of communication with the tenants themselves who have to endure these issues. have been working on a list of demands over several months.
The repair issues are obvious, and we know the city recognizes this because Parc Fontaine was on the “Dirty Dozen” list of complexes and there was even discussion of demolishing the complex. Now we are hearing that there has been conversations between Parc Fontaine management and the city to ensure that progress is being made on repairs. We know the history and legacy of the Global Ministries Fund and understandably do not have much faith in these promises. At the same time, we as tenants deserve to a part of these conversations and deserve to have our demands met as the freedom to openly organize to ensure that whatever is done, the tenant’s voices and needs are acknowledged and addressed. It is this transparency and respect that we demand, being the individuals who have paid the price for years of neglect. We no longer want to find out about the future of our homes from news stories and rumors. We need to be at the table.
Demands (10/14)
1.Repairs
Tenants demand repairs for their units, and that they are done in a reasonable amount of time with a transparent log available to the public to ensure tenants are not put on the backburner for months, and that their repair requests are not ignored. This should be the standard for complexes across the city as many of the ones operating in disrepair, do so with little accountability.
These repairs include fixes for many of the issues we currently have and have had for months, such as:
Infestation (especially rodent infestations)
Significant presence of mold in the ceilings, walls, and vents
Leak in the walls, ceilings, floors, and other visible plumbing issues
Window and door repairs
Electrical Issues (like sparks from outlets, or loss of power)
Failing appliances
Repairs for roads on the complex
Structural repairs for collapsing ceilings, walls, etc.
Our focus on repairs includes the option for after hours maintenance, maintenance workers who are qualified and respectful of tenants, and proper notice of repairs.
2. Security
Another major concern is security.Tenants would like increased security due to the increased levels of crime that have been happening at the complex, putting tenants in danger.
Security guards should be mobilized on behalf of the tenants and ultimately in the hands of the tenants. If tenants do not like a security guard, for example, tenants should have the option to replace them.
Security includes:
Cameras in the hall
Working Gates
Working lights throughout complex
Secured mailboxes
This also includes a right to organize. Organizers have been pushed out of the complex while actual crimes remain unaddressed. This speaks volumes about the priorities of management
3.Accommodations as Mentioned in Lease and Advertising
We entered into a lease where we were promised proper accommodations that have been part of the complex’s history. We demand the return of the quality and services that have been advertised.
Sanitary and Operating Swimming Pools
Working Laundry Machines
Clean Walkways, Strairways, generally trash free complex
4. Right to Stay
Tenants should have the ability to remain at the complex if they want to, even if their unit needs to be repaired, even if the complex is sold.
5. Reimbursements
If tenants have to relocate, due to no fault of their own, there should be some sort of reimbursement for the cost of moving, a guarantee of a fair security deposit assessment, and if unfairly displaced, security deposit and first month’s rent for the new location in a timely manner. The city has done this for other tenants though it was executed in a manner that was very frustrating to tenants. We demand transparency in this matter as well.
6.Compensations
There have been significant costs to tenants. These are not cosmetic issues and have affected our health in some cases. We have made repairs using our own money. We have lost property due to the absence of repairs. We should have some accountability around our ignored suffering.
If tenants have medical bills due to health issues caused by conditions of the complex (such as breathing issues because of mold), the tenant should not have to bear the weight of those medical bills.
If tenants have made repairs, and documented them, tenants should be reimbursed.
Damaged property due to conditions of the complex should be, at least in part, compensated.
7. Recognition (12/18)
Finally, tenants should be recognized as stakeholders in the complex. A tenant union should be recognized and negotiated with regarding the future and maintenance of the complex to ensure these problems do not reemerge. Our tenant union should be treated as a resident advisory council. We should be able to freely post flyers at the complex without them being immediately taken down or face fear of retaliation.
We Have Nothing To Lose But Our Chains!
Background into GMF
Rev. Richard Hamlet heads Global Ministry Foundation (GMF), a nonprofit focusing on building “affordable housing.” GMF owns Bellemont (in Jeff Parish) and Parc Fountain and the Willows (Orleans Parish). All three have been in the media for their deplorable living conditions and GMF has been in the media before, in different states, for the same activity.
A lawsuit has been filed for tenants at The Willows and Parc Fontaine (email Daiquiri@jpnsi.org if you are a tenant and want to know more about this).
These complexes have been put up for sale. This throws the future of the tenants into question.
If you are a tenant at any of these complexes, please email us at info@nolarra.org.
A glimpse into the history of GMF and Richard Hamlet’s failure to look after tenants.
https://wreg.com/news/on-your-side/gmf-selling-goodwill-warren-tulane-and-other-properties-across-southeast/
https://wreg.com/news/on-your-side/audit-reveals-gmf-financial-bookkeeping-errors/
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2016/03/29/hud-tells-gmf-to-consider-selling-three-troubled-florida-properties/90459532/
https://wreg.com/news/on-your-side/failures-with-gmf-troubled-housing-extend-beyond-non-profit-and-memphis/
https://wreg.com/news/on-your-side/gmf-faces-court-citation-for-bed-bug-infestation-at-serenity-towers/
https://www.nola.com/news/commissions-decision-on-new-orleans-east-housing-complex-gives-way-for-others-to-purchase-property/article_3e5d0f6d-042e-54a1-8e87-0e1c9ddfebae.html
https://www.fox8live.com/2024/01/25/fox-8-defenders-deal-sell-bellemont-parc-fontaine-falls-through-lawsuit-follows/