Abby Hoover
Managing Editor

On Monday, Feb. 27, KC Tenants held a solidarity rally in support of the tenants at an apartment complex North Lawn Avenue in the Historic Northeast.

In January, their utilities were shut off over a weekend following a fire in the basement, leaving them without heat or electricity. They were eventually turned back on after inspections were completed and pressure from the citywide tenant union. However, poor living conditions have persisted for years.
FTW Investments, the owner of the property at the time, sold it to a new ownership entity, Wiser LLC, based in New Jersey.

“The property is now managed by Rubicon Realty, based in Arizona,” according to a press release from KC Tenants. “As of two weeks ago, the new owner sent notices to tenants at the property, informing them that their leases will not be renewed. Tenants in the building, all of whom are immigrants or refugees, do not have anywhere else to go.”

They were offered new lease agreements at nearly triple the current rent. Tenants have said they won’t go when their leases are up later this month. They’re also asking for their appliances, broken windows and apartments to be repaired.

Nearly 100 people gathered in front of the building at the corner of North Lawn and Scarritt Avenue to hear tenants, neighbors, teachers, and local officials share testimony and support.