Tenants Together will hold a Press Conference on Thursday, January 9.


MEDIA ADVISORY

Tenants to File Class Action Suit against Central Valley’s Biggest Slumlord

Lawsuit seeks immediate court protection to address slum housing conditions in thousands of units managed by JD Homes Rentals
WHO: Tenants who live in JD Homes Rentals properties, their advocates, and community allies.

WHAT: Advocates will announce the filing of a major class action lawsuit against JD Homes for operating slum rental housing in Fresno. Tenants seek court action to force the landlord to change their business practices and fix pervasive health and safety violations as required by law.

WHEN: Thursday, January 9, 2014
Noon
WHERE: Fresno Water Tower
Fresno & O Streets
Fresno, CA

WHY: JD Homes Rentals, operated by John, David & Bryce Hovannisian, manages an estimated 3,000 rental units in Fresno alone. Tenants have repeatedly complained to the company, local authorities and tenants’ advocacy groups about severe substandard conditions of the properties. Most complaints go unanswered. The limited “repairs” that are made are cosmetic and do not address the underlying health and safety issues. Since the foreclosure crisis, the company has been expanding its portfolio by acquiring large numbers of foreclosed properties, further cornering the market of housing for low-income tenants. The landlord profits at the expense of tenants by collecting rents but refusing to invest the money necessary to make these homes safe and habitable. The lawsuit seeks relief for the tenants, including court intervention to make sure that the properties are fixed as required by law.

VISUALS: JD Homes tenants, including families
Diverse range of community allies
Photographs of deplorable housing conditions
Copies of the complaint available upon request
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http://www.tenantstogether.org
Contact: Leah Simon-Weisberg
Legal Director, Tenants Together
415.495.8100 ext. 1002