Everyone deserves to live in safe, healthy homes. But in many places across the United States, landlords are getting federal subsidies to rent to low-income people—even for conditions that are unsafe or unsanitary.
Millennia Housing Management is one such landlord.
Millennia is one of the largest affordable housing providers in the country. It manages over 30,000 units across 26 states. But it has failed to rectify horrific living conditions in many of its complexes. Rats, roaches, and garbage; leaking pipes; and mold issues have sickened tenants. In Atlanta, Millennia’s Forest Cove complex was condemned by a judge, citing numerous code violations. It took months and millions of dollars for the city to relocate the 200 residents to other affordable housing.
Multiple deaths and injuries have occurred in Millennia properties in other states. These include three people killed by a fire in Arkansas, and a mother and child killed by a carbon monoxide leak in Mississippi.
Today, Millennia tenants are organizing nationwide to hold Millennia accountable, with support from AFSC and partners. We’re urging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and members of Congress to investigate Millennia’s mismanagement and neglect. We’re calling for more federal oversight and enforcement to ensure all federally subsidized housing providers provide safe, sanitary housing. And we’re engaging others in our efforts through actions online and at Millennia complexes around the U.S.
“The fact that it was necessary to form a national movement against a company that’s supposed to provide vulnerable people with healthy, safe, and dignified living conditions speaks to the systemic failures in our affordable housing system,” says Becky, a Millennia tenant in Memphis. “Millennia is by no means the only company that profits from the marginalization of those whose voices are routinely ignored.” If we can hold Millennia accountable, Becky says, “it will open the door for people who are in similar situations with other predatory landlords to be able to fight back and win.”
To learn more about the Millennia Resistance Campaign, visit our webpage.
