In the middle of a historic pandemic and a housing crisis, UC is raising rents in student housing on many campuses. At Berkeley, San Francisco, San Diego, and UCLA, residents, including many Student Researchers, are fighting for affordable housing – and winning.
Next Thursday, March 25th at 5PM, join campus housing tenants, UAW members, and community members from across the state to share organizing strategies and spread the movement to win affordable housing at UC. RSVP here.
Rent strikers at UC Los Angeles win rent freeze
Last Friday, the UCLA Housing office notified the UCLA rent strikers, some of whom have been withholding rent for 9 months, of the following wins:
- No rent increases for the 2021-2022 year
- No evictions through June 2021
- No academic holds for failure to pay rent through June 2021
- No late fees on past due accounts
This is a huge step towards housing justice for renters at UCLA. Now, UCLA must agree to use the money provided by SB 91 and forgive all unpaid rents. The UCLA rent strikers are committed to growing the strike until all their demands are met.
Renters at UC San Diego announce rent strike against 85% rent hike
UC San Diego announced rent hikes of up to 72% in new units. In response, over five hundred renters have pledged to withhold their rent until the increases are cancelled. Residents of campus housing already faced rent burden and these unconscionable rate increases will exacerbate the situation, making it impossible for the school to recruit a diverse student body. Sign the petition to oppose the rent hikes here.
Student Researchers march along with other renters at UCSD against rent hikes, Friday March 19
Renters at UC Berkeley organize for rent freeze and cancellation of unpaid rent
Tenants of the University Village Albany (UVA) complex are demanding UC Berkeley accept state rental assistance via SB 91 instead of forcing renters into repayment plans, and that UC Berkeley cancel its proposed 4% annual rent increases planned through 2024. Both UAW 2865/Village Residents Association and the UVA Tenants Union are circulating petitions demanding that UC Berkeley cancel the $1,000,000+ in unpaid rent and halt the proposed increases.
SRs and Postdocs at UC San Francisco mobilize for decreased rents and more flexible leases
UC San Francisco is offering renters in campus housing minimal rent decreases, despite the fact that rents in the city of San Francisco fell by 27% in 2020. Renters from SRU and UAW 5810 have been circulating a petition with over 500 signers and holding meetings to protest this, and in response UC San Francisco announced some additional rent decreases and a new flexible lease program. The lease program, however, is grossly inadequate and charges a 20% rent premium.Renters are continuing to fight for fair rental rates. Sign the petition to support fair rental policies here.
Build renter power by building Student Researchers United
Winning housing affordability will require action by Academic Workers statewide. You can help build the power necessary to win affordable housing by continuing to build Student Researchers United. Do you have friends, labmates, or neighbors who have not yet signed an authorization card? You can now help them sign via the online card. SRs can only win fair housing and a strong contract by working together.
In solidarity,
Corentin Pochet
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
UC San Diego
PS – Here is the link for next Thursday’s statewide Rent Strike Forum. RSVP to strategize with other tenants and workers about winning affordable housing at UC.