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  • Comment Detail

  • Date: 07/29/23
    First Name: Jakob
    Last Name: Benedetti
    Email: jakob.benedetti@yahoo.com
    Organization Type: other
    Organization: Midtown Tenant Union
  • Comment

    I was a tenant for two years 2021-23 in a building owned by Union Hill Properties in Kansas City, my building was not on the list of properties that got federal funds but several others owned by my former landlord are. Although Union Hill tries to create an aesthetic of community, it became clear the longer we lived there that management is somewhat out of touch and only interested in making money. Maintenance workers confided in me that they themselves had reservations with management and didn’t feel they had the resources to deal with all the issues, which included birds burrowing holes in the external woodwork of some buildings to nest. Employees at a local business which rented retail space from Union Hill admitted they were closing their location because the rent in Union Hill was too high- other tenants I talked to often complained at the vacancy and turnover rate of the Union Hill-owned retail space. If big companies like Union Hill are getting millions of dollars in federal loans, at the very least they should have to provide stable, affordable rent to their tenants. Tenants should always receive a copy of their rights when they sign a lease, as is required by KCMO law, and should have fair lease terms. Tenants should not be able to be intimidated for attempting to organize their neighbors.