Mark Robertson

Mark Robertson

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WATCH! NEIGHBORS STEP IN TO HELP MINNEAPOLIS WOMAN WAS ABOUT TO BE EVICTED

Linda Taylor was given two months’ notice from her landlord to vacate the Minneapolis house she has proudly called home for nearly two decades. The 70-year-old initially owned the house, but she sold it when she fell prey to a real estate deal she didn’t understand, and has rented the home for about 15 years.

… Earlier this year, Taylor received an unexpected notice from her landlord to leave her home by April 1. Her landlord wanted to sell the house and was asking for $299,000 — a sum Taylor could not afford. She lost her job and her paycheck during the pandemic but continued paying rent — about $1,400 a month — using her savings, money from family and government subsidies.

… When Taylor’s landlord told her to vacate she was crushed and decided to share her struggle with a neighbor, works professionally as a housing rights organizer. He contacted neighbors to see what they could do to help Taylor. As word of the grass-roots campaign to save Taylor’s home spread around the block, neighbors were eager to help. Organizers sent a letter to the landlord, urging him to wait on eviction and start negotiations with Taylor so she could buy the house. It was signed by about 400 neighbors and hand-delivered to the landlord, who agreed to let her continue renting until June 30. He lowered the sale price to $250,000 — still out of reach for his tenant.

… Organizers created a campaign site and a fundraising page, bringing in donations in amounts of $5 to $15,000. A local church gave the largest sum — $200,000 — carrying the effort to the finish line.


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