In New Haven, members of the Q Ave Tenants Union, alongside Mayor Justin Elicker, gathered to protest outside the office of Hammock Home Management. The protest, held under the afternoon sun at 350 Orange St., aimed to pressure landlord Yohay Levram to recognize the tenants’ union, cancel proposed rent increases, and address ongoing maintenance and infestation issues at their apartment complex.
Local Support for Tenants
The Q Ave Tenants Union represents residents of a 40-unit complex on Quinnipiac Ave. and Eastern St. The complex, owned by Kings NH LLC and managed by Levram, has been the focus of tenant complaints about unreliable heating, mold, and pest infestations. Tenants have also reported receiving verbal warnings of rent hikes ranging from $100 to $200 per month, and one tenant faced an eviction threat despite having paid rent.
Mayor Elicker joined the protest, voicing his support for the tenants. He criticized Hammock Home Management for not maintaining the property while planning to increase rents. “If you pay your check, and the check’s cashed, you deserve to be in a nice place,” Elicker stated, emphasizing the need for landlords to fulfill their responsibilities before considering rent increases.
Landlord’s Response
Yohay Levram, in a statement, disputed the tenants’ claims. He noted that the building is 97.5% occupied and that rent increases were nominal, with most tenants not having seen increases for two to three years. Levram also stated that their rents remain below the Fair Market Rent standard. He highlighted ongoing improvements, including the installation of new insulation and Google Nest thermostats, aimed at reducing gas bills.
Levram described Hammock as a proactive property management company and suggested that the controversy was manufactured. Despite his assurances, tenants and local officials remain dissatisfied, urging Levram to engage directly with the union to address their concerns.
The protest concluded with tenants marching and chanting outside Hammock’s office, receiving support from passing drivers. Activists also distributed flyers demanding fair negotiations with the landlord.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
