Thomas Paine tenants find getting church-landlords attention takes more than a hope and a prayer

Tenants at Thomas Paine Square Apartments in Fillmore met to discuss strategies for improving their living conditions as the mayor prepares his budget proposal. Organizer Pat Cochran noted a troubling lack of communication from their landlord, Bethel AME Church, regarding critical issues like mold and asbestos. The tenants' demands for comprehensive asbestos testing remain unanswered, and they seek to learn more about the church's Board of Directors. Supervisor Bilal Mahmood has pledged to bring tenant concerns to the Mayor's office, yet a follow-up meeting has not been scheduled. The tenant association has seen a decline in active participants, with only about ten residents involved compared to 46 in mid-2022.

Organizers worry that low turnout at meetings, like the recent one held off-site, hampers their efforts. They aim to engage more residents in their fight for better living conditions. The situation underscores ongoing challenges faced by low-income tenants in the city.