This petition is calling for immediate action from the City of New Britain to protect the tenants of 700 Ellis Street from eviction and rent increases. By signing the petition, you join residents in demanding fair rent practices, increased housing inspections, and the creation of a transitional housing fund to support families facing eviction.

Petition for Housing Justice in New Britain: Protect Tenants and Strengthen Fair Rent Commissions 

Dear Mayor Stewart and Councilmembers Santiago, McNamara, Sanchez, Smedley, Beloin-Saavedra, Simpson, Russell, Barbosa, McAdam, Hargraves, Scott, Gibson, Connors, Pabon, and Malinowski,

We, the undersigned, demand immediate action to protect your constituents – the tenants of 84 apartment units in 700 Ellis Street – from housing instability and potential displacement caused by unresponsive landlords and unaffordable rent increases.

The landlord of 700 Ellis Street in New Britain recently informed the tenants of 84 apartment units that their leases would not be renewed, citing impending renovations. Many tenants whose leases are expiring are being forced into month-to-month agreements, with rent increases as high as $800 per month and the understanding that once renovations are completed, their leases may not be renewed at all. This means 84 households, including families with children, right now are now facing the threat of housing instability. Without your intervention, it could lead to eviction, homelessness, and widespread displacement.  

Tenants also report facing: 

• unaddressed maintenance issues, including plumbing; 

• unresponsive management, which has failed to answer calls or address maintenance requests; and 

• ongoing renovations that seem primarily cosmetic, such as painting, with no significant improvements to living conditions. 

Our Ask: we, the undersigned, call on the City of New Britain to take immediate action by: 

We call on city officials to take immediate action to prevent tenant displacement. This requires proactive relocation support and firm commitment to using state and federal resources – whether through existing budgets or by actively supporting tenants and advocating for additional government intervention. One key solution is establishing a transitional housing fund, which would provide tenants with crucial financial support if displaced by new developers or landlords refusing to renew leases following property sales or renovations. For example, these funds could be used to assist tenants in the 84 units of Ellis Apartments, covering security deposits, short-term accommodations, and other necessary costs to facilitate a smooth transition to new housing. By standing with residents and creating safety nets like these, Mayor Stewart and city council officials can help stabilize housing and protect tenants from sudden, unforeseen displacement. 

The Fair Rent Commission is responsible for ensuring tenants are not subjected to excessive rent hikes or retaliatory actions by landlords. Currently, the commission contains only one-third tenant representatives, while two-thirds (in the form of landlords and homeowners) are property owners. This leaves tenants with unequal representation. We demand that the commission equalize its representation to a 50/50 tenant-property owner ratio to ensure a fair and balanced approach that equalizes the voices of renters. 

New Britain is failing to protect its families by inadequately funding housing inspectors, leaving tenants vulnerable to unsafe and unhealthy living conditions. From 2018 to 2022, 58% of New Britain’s residents were renters, yet the city has only three housing inspectors to oversee the safety of 16,445 renter-occupied units. This means each inspector is responsible for 5,500 units, an impossible task that allows violations to go unchecked and landlords to evade accountability. Without immediate action to increase the number of inspectors, New Britain is neglecting its duty to safeguard families, enabling unsafe practices to persist and tenants’ rights to be violated. The city must prioritize funding for more inspectors to provide the proactive oversight needed to ensure every family is living in a safe, dignified home.  

Last-minute rent increases create a heavy burden for working people.  Requiring landlords to provide a six-month notice before implementing rent increases allows tenants to better plan their finances and seek alternative housing options if necessary. This extended notice period promotes stability and fairness in the rental market, reducing the risk of sudden financial strain on tenants. 

Your Action Matters: Affordable and stable housing is a fundamental human right. In New Britain, many tenants are facing the threat of displacement, uncertainty, and unaffordable rent hikes. Without immediate action, more families will be left without homes or be forced into precarious living situations. By implementing these changes, New Britain can protect all its residents and prevent housing insecurity. 

For more information, please contact Brigith Rivera of The Connecticut Project at (475) 900-9185, email: BrigithRivera@ctproject.org.