As we approach Winter and the end of the year, we would like to highlight some of the important work that Councilman Josh Michtom and the Hartford WFP City Council team have been doing. Check it out below and reach out to us if you would like to get involved or learn more!
Housing
Hartford, where approximately 75% of all residents are tenants and where many rental properties are owned by out of state landlords, has faced ongoing issues with poor housing conditions and the slow response to maintenance, health, and safety concerns. Councilman Michtom is proud of his record of speaking up for housing justice, and partnering with community organizations such as the Connecticut Tenants Union and Make the Road CT to fight for Hartford tenants at events such as this January protest for tenants on Wethersfield Avenue:
Wethersfield Avenue tenants urge Hartford to sanction landlords that don’t address poor conditions
Soon after this rally, Mayor Arulampalam responded to the community’s call for housing justice. Earlier this year, the Mayor’s administration has initiated a task force to identify and discourage bad landlords and appointed a tenant liaison, Judith Rothschild, to address tenant complaints more effectively.
Councilman Michtom continued his advocacy into budget season, successfully fighting to fund the establishment of a full-time Tenant Liaison position in the city whose responsibilities will include supporting tenants with open complaints about their landlords, coordinating inspections & emergency repairs of rental housing, and informing tenants of their rights & the resources available to them.
Hartford mayor responds to years of protest from city tenants with new policies, tenant liaison
Unfortunately, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the residents of Hartford have access to safe, affordable rental housing. As recent events have shown, including the aftermath of a building fire on Sherbrooke Ave, which left dozens of residents displaced and without adequate support from the City, it is long past time for us to create systems of support for tenants and accountability for landlords in cases of negligent, abusive, or outright criminal treatment of tenants. Councilman Michtom hopes that the formation of the Tenant Liaison office helps alleviate some of these issues, and will continue to look for ways to make sure that the experience had by Sherbooke Ave tenants does not continue whenever the next emergency may be.
Ceasefire Resolution
Following countless calls, emails, and conversations with Hartford residents who were concerned about the violence and injustice happening in Gaza, Councilman Michtom introduced a resolution in support of a Ceasefire. Despite the Council Majority refusing to support a ceasefire, Councilman Michtom used this opportunity to explain why this resolution matters, and why Hartford should take a stance against human rights violations happening with support from our federal government.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C322tqorxdo/?igsh=c2xjazV4czhrcXBt
Transit Justice
Hartford WFP is happy to announce our support for the CT Transit Riders Union! Along with Transport Hartford & Connecticut DSA, to support organizing for safe, equitable, and free transit for Connecticut. Below is a flyer from our first meeting, and you can reach out to us directly if you are interested in getting involved!
Education
Councilman Michtom has also been active in speaking up at the State Capitol, in support of our public higher education institutions which many Hartford residents depend on to advance their careers. Below, Councilman Michtom responds to the frequent conservative talking point that residents who are struggling economically don’t understand “hard work.”
Councilman Michtom and the WFP team have also been active in organizing around securing more state funding from Hartford Public Schools. From submitting budget proposals to add City funds to our Education budget, to organizing for statewide advocacy for school funding in Hartford, the fight continues. If you are a student, parent, or educator of Hartford Public Schools, and would like to get involved, reach out to our team to learn more about how you can speak up!
Civic Engagement
This Fall, Councilman Michtom joined the Hartford Votes Coalition, Hispanic Health Council, and San Juan Center for a Non-partisan “Get Out The Latino Vote” effort in Hartford’s South End. This work included direct voter outreach to make sure Hartford residents understood their rights as voters, including how to Early Vote!
If you are legally eligible to vote, whatever your political affiliation may be, it is important for Hartford that you get out and exercise that right! Policy-makers often make decisions on where to invest their time, energy, and resources based on “which communities vote.” We cannot let our cities voices be ignored!
Community Events and More
The Student Loan Fund is collaborating with Trinity College’s Liberal Arts Action Lab in Hartford, CT to research the issue of student loan debt in Connecticut. If you are a Hartford resident with student loan debt, you can share your experience of dealing with student loan debt with the research team via a one-on-one interview over Zoom. Interviews last approximately 45-60 minutes, and will be held during the weeks of October 26-November 11, 2024. Each person who participates in an interview will be compensated with a $25 electronic Visa gift card.
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