Bradley Breier had just settled in Cedarwood Terrace, an affordable housing complex in Springfield, when the notice arrived that all of the tenants were being evicted from their apartments.
Takeaways
- Renters across Missouri are forming tenants unions to push back on rising costs, unlivable conditions and threats of non-renewals on their leases.
- Missouri has 27 affordable homes for every 100 extremely low-income households, leaving many with few options if they are forced to move.
- Tenants say collective action through a union gives them leverage, but many face pushback in the face of union organizing.
The owners planned to exit a federal low-income housing program at Cedarwood Terrace, and to convert another property they controlled, Rosewood Estates, into luxury senior living.
After living with his aunt, Breier moved into Cedarwood with his parents in March 2024. But he was only there for a month when residents found out about the property owners’ plans.
Breier, now a leader with Springfield Tenants Union, said residents began talking about the future and trying to find new places to live, but there were few options that met people’s accessibility needs and budget…