Dignified Neighbors' Association

About

The Dignified Neighbors' Assciation was formed at Community First Village in the summer of 2024 in response to the mistreatment of CFV residents. Residents at CFV joined together to teach each other about tenant rights and recognize the abuse taking place at the hands of Mobile Loaves & Fishes.

The Dignified Neighbors' Association created a 7-page petition that garnered 116 signatures. It calls out CFV on their excessive fees, food insecurity, banning of guests, ableism and disability violations, elder abuse, their high eviction rate, and much more than can be found here.

Successes

For years, CFV had charged residents late fees of $70+ which exceeds the 10% of rent rule by the state of Texas. After sending CFV the petition that noted this, they released a letter to residents that they had overcharged them and returned money to many people.

Eviction prevention is a key focus of the Dignified Neighbors' Assciation. Our volunteers visit those on the eviction list and submit a Motion to Compel Mediation to the court for them. This can get their cases abated (delayed) until mediation is requested and completed by CFV through a third party.

Volunteers have helped get 40+ residents' cases abated, preventing them from facing a more immediate eviction and sometimes leading to a dismissal of their case.

With the support of Queertopia, we have been able to pay two people's appeals after they were given an eviction judgement in court, amounting to over $800 total.