Empowerment group takes message to streets
By RYAN HYATT AND FABIAN LEWKOWICZ Daily Press Staff Writers
ST. ANNE’S CHURCH — Dozens of people looking to improve the quality of life for tenants gathered here on Saturday in an effort to raise awareness about a renter empowerment zone they are creating.
The zone, patterned off similar pilots around the country, will include an intensive outreach effort aimed at informing renters in Santa Monica about their rights, according to organizers.
The effort is being undertaken by a number of community groups, including L.A. Voice, St. Anne’s Catholic Church, the Pico Neighborhood Association and Santa Monicans for Renters Rights.
A multi-block area of the city near St. Anne’s Church has been selected, where it’s believed a large number of tenants, many of them Latino, are unaware of their rights as renters. The boundaries of the empowerment zone are to include those apartment units between Colorado Avenue and Pico Boulevard, and 14th Street and Cloverfield Boulevard.
Organizers said they will conduct door-to-door outreach starting in January with every renter within the zone. The visits will include fact-sharing and a survey during which organizers will collect data related to rental conditions — including the prevalence of mold — and advise renters on courses of action in cases where landlord neglect has led to needed repairs.
Approximately three dozen people gathered on Friday night at St. Anne’s. The event began with a traditional Catholic prayer, then members sang songs to the accompaniment of a pair of guitar players. Following the music, participants lit candles. Two men carried a nativity scene on a platform and began a procession called, "La Posada," a ceremony depicting how the Biblical figures of Mary and Joseph went from home to home in search of shelter for Jesus Christ.
Participants carried candles and sang as they marched two blocks to the apartment of Carmen and Alfredo Arechiga, St. Anne’s parishioners who are currently petitioning their landlord for repairs they seek for their apartment, which they have been occupying since 1969.
“We need to stuff old clothing and newspapers into the wall to keep the rats out," said Carmen Arechiga.
According to Carmen Arechiga, the roof of her 19th Street apartment has holes in it. When it rains, the Arechigas place trash cans throughout the apartment to catch the water. There is mold throughout the apartment, she said. The walls are soggy and have holes in them, allowing entry to rats and mice.
Carmen Arechiga said that she and her husband have given their landlord a list of repairs that are needed. If there’s no response after a week, Carmen Arechiga said she and her husband will go to the city seeking help and ask for a discount on rent.
On Monday, the Daily Press contacted the Arechigas for more comment. According to their daughter, Cynthia Vargas, they were unavailable to speak, visiting Mexico for the holidays.
Apparently, the Arechigas had requested their landlord fix their apartment on multiple occasions, Vargas said, but never did.
Denny Zane, co-chair of Santa Monicans for Renters Rights, said his group has served an advisory role to L.A. Voice and St. Anne’s, which are spearheading the empowerment zone effort. According to Zane, L.A. Voice, which has organized approximately 12 rental empowerment zones in the county, approached St. Anne’s about the project.
St. Anne’s then contacted SMRR and the Pico Neighborhood Association for support.
“We are excited about the vision to inform and educate residents around the issues of housing, so that all residents exercise the right to live in homes that are clean and safe,” Zane said.
Father Mike Gutierrez, pastor of St. Anne’s Church, sees the concept of the renter empowerment zone as a timely example of his church’s commitment to social justice.
“At this time of year, we are reminded that we have a mission,” Gutierrez said. “We have a duty and responsibility to reach out to one another and bring forth the kingdom of God. This mission is central to our faith.
“By making sure that the rights of the most vulnerable in our community are protected, we are bringing forth the kingdom.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 20, 2005. Read the original PDF.