Housing advocates, tenants decry rent hikes in Easthampton
Source: Daily Hampshire Gazette | by Sam Ferland Staff Writer | July 17, 2025
EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton tenants and advocates gathered outside the Municipal Building Wednesday with signs and megaphones, calling for city councilors to support their opposition to out-of-state property owners increasing rents.
“What do we want … houses. When do we want them … now,” were the call and response shouted by the crowd of approximately 70 people.
The goal of the rally was to seek assistance from the City Council to support the tenants and work to create an ordinance to restrict rent increases. The rally was organized by two tenant associations of multi-unit properties in Easthampton: one at 17 Adams St. and the other at Pleasant View Apartments at 22 Nashawannuck St. The groups partnered with Springfield No One Leaves, a grassroots organization whose goal is to help provide resources and organize residents who are, “most directly impacted by the housing crisis and economic inequality.”
After the rally, people gathered on the second floor of the Municipal Building on Payson Avenue where more than 10 speakers — tenants and activists — told their stories and voiced support of affordable housing. Out-of-state housing companies were the main target of discontent from the speakers who are unhappy with, as one put it, the “big corporate real estate investors.”
“They are displacing a mix of disabled, elderly, single renters and families who have called this place home for years,” said Nancy Dorian, a tenant at Pleasant View. “It was clear from the beginning that their main objective was profit over people. They come from out of state and have properties all over the country.”
Dorian left a corporate job 25 years ago to pursue a career exploring her passion for art. In November, Dorian came home to a paper on her door informing her of a 35% rent increase of $400, raising her rent from $1,150 to $1,550. Rowin Capital LLC of New York currently owns the property at Pleasant View, with two-bedroom units currently listed at $2,295. Dorian was given 12 business days to sign the lease or a “notice to quit” would be issued.
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