Mr. Solis and Mr. Smith:

I am writing in support of the Clayton Crossing Unidos tenants union in Concord, CA who have been trying to reach you since August to urge that you rescind all rent increases during COVID-19. Many families continue to struggle financially during this time to a breaking point. A pandemic is no time to be putting people in more stress and debt.

On May 1st, in the middle of a public health and economic crisis, the tenants at Clayton Crossing Apartments were notified of a rent increase effective June 1st, 2020. This rent increase was then postponed until August 1, 2020, and then later again to September 1, 2020. However, the same tenants have continued to face increasing debt and financial insecurity along with the pandemic.

Additionally, many tenants have habitability concerns that have not been addressed. Many tenant requests for help with safety, repair, and maintenance issues were dismissed by property management. As a result of this neglect, tenants have been living in unhealthy conditions while trying to keep their families safe.

On August 27, 2020, in response to these challenging living conditions, residents of Clayton Crossing announced the formation of a tenants union: Clayton Crossing Unidos. The union was formed to ensure that tenants may live in safe, healthy, and habitable homes with their families and receive the full protection of the law. The tenant union is united to demand:

1. No rent increases during the pandemic
2. Safe and habitable homes
3. Respect and dignity for all tenants

To this day, Avenue 5 property management and Compass Acquisition Partners have been unwilling to hear our concerns regarding postponing the rent increase. Please accept this letter as a statement of support for the Clayton Crossing tenants. Our community will continue to follow up until we receive a response or decision.