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Jen (she/her)'s avatar

I hope most of all that this landlord will reach out and talk to any peers they know who also own rentals. We desperately need a huge reawakening to the fact that all the "problematic" people we deal with throughout the day are also human beings, and they are probably also struggling. Make America Human Again.

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Linda Daniels's avatar

This story is heart-rending. The system made it easy for this landlord to be inhuman. It's admirable that he realized his grievous error, owned up to it and has been atoning for it ever since. But it's INSANE that capitalists are defacto demi-gods who prioritize profits over basic human rights. They get to make life and decisions and walk away richer while the people they oppress sicken and die. Well, people can and should fight back. I highly recommend reading Abolish Rent by Tracy Rosenthal and Leonardo Vilchis. Mutual aid works. Community works. Grassroots journalism works. More power to the people.

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Sarah M Morenon's avatar

Steve, let me know how you feel about posting your work on FaceBook. I try occasionally to share articles like this one, as it’s something people need to read… your call. Please let me know. Heartrending story.

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Susan Wright's avatar

I’ve noticed that Steve posts his stories on Facebook often as well as on Bluesky, Twitter (X), Instagram and probably more. Do a search for him on these platforms and I’m sure you’ll be able to verify this. I agree that spreading the information he publishes is imperative for all of Rhode Island and beyond. Steve is my hero! All right, now I’m being silly. But it’s true.

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Susan Wright's avatar

An unusual case of self-reflection and insight. Takes courage. Sad. Also sheds light on the thought process. Painful.

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Angel Dean's avatar

Very powerful.

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Mary Sousa's avatar

Sorry..that’s a FAFO situation for the landlord. RIP for that poor soul!

No sympathy. We were evicted by a terrible landlord -a church - that failed to maintain a property - hole in roof, toxic told, chipped lead paint. When I begged, pleaded and even contacted their insurance company and attorney, they filed an eviction on my family of 5 all while my mom was sick with cancer and we were all suffering with the effects of toxic mold and my youngest lead paint exposure.

The attorney general, dept of health, city of Cranston (although sited the landlord- never followed up), DeCof and DeCof all wouldn’t touch this. Because of the Church and political connections! The property to this day STILL doesn’t have a lead certificate on file. (This happened in 2016)

We became homeless and lost everything. I have no sympathy for ANY landlord!

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