Proposed Tenant Anti-Retaliation Ordinance

Highlighted the daily struggles of eviction defense clients and urged the council to pass the anti-retaliation ordinance while restoring funding to Toledo's right to counsel program.

Shared personal experiences dealing with negligent landlords, broken floors, pest infestations, and manipulative practices over nine years of renting.

Shared harrowing stories of fair housing clients facing exorbitant repair charges, utility shutoffs, and lease non-renewals after asserting their rights.

Described organizing tenants facing skyrocketing rents, lack of hot water, and out-of-state owners hiding behind LLCs, while expressing disappointment with committee attendance.

Spoke in support of core protections in the ordinance, sharing lived experience with displacement and disability accommodations.

Described rampant landlord harassment against tenant organizers and renters, urging council to strongly support and enforce the anti-retaliation ordinance.

Stated that prevention funding is far less expensive than emergency response and urged council to spend political capital to pass the ordinance.

Shared difficulties with management in subsidized senior housing regarding recertification and intimidation.

Detailed severe living conditions at Saxon House under out-of-state ownership, including lack of air conditioning, mold, and harassment.

Reiterated that 40 percent of 2-1-1 calls involve housing issues and emphasized that keeping people housed is critical.

Spoke from experience as a contractor, landlord, and renter about bad property management, urged proactive municipal planning, and suggested repurposing vacant properties.

Shared her distress after moving to Toledo with a Section 8 voucher, facing immediate water damage, mice, and an eviction notice after disputing a high water bill.