Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, on assignment for the Winooski News
Tom Proctor, an advocate at the grassroots organization Rights and Democracy, stood outside the Winooski Senior Center on Tuesday. Bundled in his coat, the brisk wind not fazing him, he smiled and greeted people as they walked in to vote. He was advocating for Article 4, a proposal defining specific scenarios that would justify a ‘just cause” eviction. The proposal was aimed at protecting renters.
Proctor said he voted for Article 4 because evictions are frequently “used for discriminatory purposes, often used to jack up rents.”
The measure passed with about 79% of the vote, in a tally of 770 to 208. The proposed charter amendment would authorize the city council to enact an ordinance that protects tenants against unjustified evictions.
Tuesday’s Town Meeting voting was not the first time the “just cause” proposal landed on Winooski’s ballot. It passed two years ago with 73% of the vote but was put back on the ballot after a city scheduling error affected the ballot process in 2023.
Support for the ordinance this time around seemed strong.
“I think the word, from what I’ve seen, seems a lot more widespread this time around, so I’m optimistic here,” said Aland Rinehart, a Winooski renter who voted in favor of the proposal.
When Article 4 was initially on the ballot, landlords opposed to the article said the measure would block them from getting rid of tenants based solely on the fact that their lease ended, potentially leading to a confusing and expensive eviction process.
Brian Sweeney, a Winooski landlord, said “the formal process of eviction (is) honestly is daunting, confusing, expensive” back in 2023.
Some tenants in favor of the article said they were tired of the “slumlords” abusing their power.
“We need protection for the predominantly low-income, often struggling, to be able to stay here,” said Morgan Kennson, a Winooski renter.
Owen Davies, another voter, said renters’ security matters.
“I think it’s important that tenants have as much a right as possible to have a place to live,” Davies said.
Others said they were thinking about the broader community as they voted in favor of the proposal. Gillen Scholfield, a newer renter in Winooski, said it was very important to him to be “standing up for other people that might not have the opportunity to exercise their vote, but also people who choose not to come and vote.”
Sam Ridell admitted, “I just skimmed it.”
He said he didn’t really know what the article was asking. After talking with his friends, he felt relieved with his vote.
Kennson said the most prominent point of the day was community and allowing it to grow.
“I want other people to be able to come here… and I think that we gotta do something about it. This seems like a good start,” he said.