Americans have a right to safe, adequate housing, but for many Chicagoans, that right is something they have to fight for. Jae knew this reality all too well.
Jae is a community member that came to us through a referral from Metropolitan Tenants Organization this past summer. Jae had received eviction notices earlier this year and needed support. But the matter wasn’t so cut and dry.
Jae had been withholding rent since October 2023 given that their building had numerous safety concerns: fires, flooding, ceiling damage, pests, and more. They felt that the landlord did not ethically deserve the money without addressing these hazards, so they lawfully withheld rent under Chicago landlord-tenant law. Ultimately, this action allowed them to save up and look for a new apartment.
In January 2024, Jae’s building was bought out by a new owner. Shortly after, the new owner began requesting back rent, which Jae refused. The eviction notices began in April, but the notices themselves were improperly completed. Jae continued to protest and advocate for their rights.
In June, other tenants in similar situations were being evicted, so Jae moved out and contacted Beyond. Their ideal situation was to have the back rent case dismissed and their record sealed. Jae reflected on their feelings at the beginning of their case, saying “I was stressed beyond belief, terrified. This was the most stressful situation I’ve dealt with in my life, and I just graduated [from] grad school.”
Beyond Supervising Attorney, Sarah Cockrum, was assigned to Jae’s case. Together, they discussed Jae’s goals and their experiences and ultimately worked to achieve Jae's ideal outcome. The case was dismissed and Jae’s record was sealed, leaving Jae feeling “elated, very happy, and blessed.” They added:
“My situation is very common, but the outcome is not. Knowing my rights is a privilege, and I know that. This is exactly how I wanted this to play out, and I’m so happy. It feels good that the system didn’t win. This is not just about me; this is about safe housing.”
Outcomes like Jae’s are not a given, and landlords can prey on uninformed and vulnerable tenants. Jae added, “I think organizations like Beyond Legal Aid are what are going to save us. People who care about other people are going to save us.”
Please consider making a donation so that Beyond can continue to support all those in search of safe housing, like Jae.