By Brian Packard

This article was published in the U.S.A Times printed by
Uptown Social Action

The Lawrence house is an affordable housing building on Lawrence Ave in Uptown. There are over 300 units in this historic building. The conditions of the building are deplorable. Many rooms are in need of repair. The rooms need to be repainted, carpeted rooms need new carpeting, and in some rooms plaster has fallen from the ceiling. When it is rainy, water leaks in from the roof and some rooms do not have heat. The laundry service often delivers sheets with holes or bed bugs. There are roach and mice infestations.

Besides being concerned about the conditions of the building, there are also concerned about the security in the building. The front desk does not always stop people from coming in the building and, especially at night, the population has felt threatened and unsafe. The hallways are dimly lit and fire exits and emergency lighting do not work. The work order process is also slow; many residents wait weeks before their issues are addressed.

In response to these conditions, the tenants have formed a tenant’s association to unite the tenants and decide what changes they want to make in the building. The tenant’s association is working with the Organization of the Northeast and other social service organizations that are concerned about the conditions of the Lawrence House.

The tenants association is asking to improve the conditions in the building in several main areas. They are asking to improve security by hiring a licensed security company, and installing security cameras in the hallways with new emergency lighting. The tenant’s association is also asking that fire escape doors and locks are updated. Secondly, the tenant’s association is asking for the eradication of vermin in the building. The last goal of the tenant’s association is improving the work order process. The association wants to make sure that the work gets done in a timely manner and also that a follow up system exists to ensure that the work is done right.

The community is showing support for the Lawrence House. At the December ONE holiday Party, State Senator Heather Steans met with leaders of the Tennant’s Association and said she was interested in supporting their efforts. Many other community organizations have also pledged support for the tenant’s association.

During the Holiday season the tenant’s association made up a holiday card and letter for the community to voice their support of improving the conditions in the Lawrence House. Many members of the community signed this letter. The tenant’s association then went to the restaurant of the owners, Don and Sam Menetti, to deliver the holiday card of support to the owners. The restaurant was very nice; there were flat screen TVs along the walls, and the dishes were priced around $20. Many tenants wondered why they can have such a nice restaurant and not use their money to fix the conditions of the Lawrence House. The Menetti brothers did not come out to speak to the tenants, but the tenant’s association gave the holiday card to one of the waiters who promised to deliver it them.

The tenant’s association would like to get all different members of the community concerned about this building. Community allies need to be organized together to support the residents of the Lawrence House. The sooner that the owners take responsibility for the building that they own, the better service they will be doing for the tenants, and for the entire uptown community.