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Honoring the Citywide Tenant Union of the Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America and tenants, tenant leaders, and tenant organizers at the Emerson and Florence Gardens, who are organizing to end rental junk fees and secure basic tenants’ rights and protections in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Over the last five years, tenants have organized for safe, secure, and affordable housing across the City of Philadelphia with support from the Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America; and
WHEREAS, These campaigns have included providing support to tenants at the University City Townhomes to preserve affordable housing in 2022, organizing at Brith Sholom House in 2024 to preserve over 300 units of affordable senior housing, at Oak Lane Court in 2024 after tenants were displaced by a partial collapse at Lindley Towers, at Hardy Williams Veterans Center in 2025 in response to safety and security concerns, and others; and
WHEREAS, Tenants at the Emerson, located at 4209 Chester Ave, began organizing in February 2026 in response to a power outage in the dead of the winter; and
WHEREAS, Tenants have suffered from power outages on an annual basis due to management’s decision to transition from radiator heat to electrical units without properly insulating, weatherizing, and upgrading the electrical system; and
WHEREAS, The decision to electrify has shifted thousands in utility costs to tenants, some of whom experience electricity bills of over 300 dollars each month for studio apartments; and
WHEREAS, Tenants at Florence Gardens, located at 506 S 41st Street, inspired by the organizing at the Emerson and sharing the same individual owner as well as the same management company, New Age Realty, began organizing to combat pest issues, unsanitary conditions, water leaks, and other conditions that have afflicted tenants; and
WHEREAS, Elevators in both buildings have been bolted shut for years despite the promise of their maintenance in tenants’...
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