SMASH Miami
Justice for the Residents of Hamilton on the Bay

June 2, 2021

AIMCO / AIR Communities
Landlord Owner of Hamilton on the Bay Apartments
CC: Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Commissioner Ken Russell, State Senator Jason Pizzo, Mayor Francis Suarez,
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava

To Whom It May Concern:

We are the Residents of The Hamilton On The Bay Apartment Building, located at 555 Northeast 34th Street, Miami, FL 33137. As you may be aware, a tragic and inhumane Notice to Vacate was made to us on May 17, 2021 by Aimco/AIRC, the new Landlord Owners of our community. Now, Residents of the building who have been here for 5, 15, 30+ years are being asked to move out by July 16th despite the post COVID-19 pandemic real estate market conditions being extremely unfavorable with record-high costs and little to no availability. Because we all recently committed to staying here, we are not mentally or financially prepared to move out before the given deadline, especially in this environment. The eviction request made by Aimco/AIRC is unfeasible.

Most current Residents recently renewed leases that Aimco/AIRC offered that were between 12-24 month contracts. Others just moved-in during the last couple months and weeks, but all of us are being asked to leave by July 16th. This contradiction gives the impression we are being deceived and pressured to leave in favor of new tenants paying higher rents. Many of us are minorities, elderly, and families with young children who do not have the resources to facilitate such a quick move… this news comes as an enormous blow.

We write this letter to outline the problems with this request for our Community, and to demand change, as follows:


1. EXTEND THE REQUESTED DATE FOR LEASE TERMINATION. Please extend the current 60-day
eviction request and allow the option to occupy our current residences until at least 9/16/21 for those who are willing and able to move. The market is currently flooded but in July and August, we anticipate that availability will increase drastically. We do not want to make bad decisions based on limited availability or time. That can be avoided if we are given a little extra time which will in turn help your transition process be smoother and faster overall. It will also be more fair considering the long-term seniority of current Residents and the age demographics of other Residents.


2. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FACILITATE MOVE-OUT EXPENSES. Please grant us at least
$22,500 as a move-out allowance per unit so we have the financing available to afford the move-in costs of comparable units and the related moving expenses. Current move-in costs are much higher than normal conditions. Move-in costs for comparable units average $9,000 per family. Moving expenses have also increased and will cost an average of $3,500 per family to move out at this current time. Additionally, because of this sudden Eviction, we are being mandated to increase our monthly living expenses for comparable units which will cost an average over $10,000 over the next 12 months per family. HAMILTON ON THE BAY RESIDENTS FROM THE REMAINING
555 NORTHEAST 34TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33137

3. DO NOT EVICT RESIDENTS THAT ARE NOT WILLING AND ABLE TO LEAVE. Honor Lease
Agreements throughout their listed duration for Residents who are not willing and able to leave their residence before 9/16/21. With a majority of current Residents being willing to leave but just needing the help requested in the previous 2 sections to do so in a healthy manor; plans can be created to complete the renovations in the desired time while Residents that are not willing and able to leave still live here.

4. PAUSE THE EXTREMELY LOUD AND DISRUPTIVE CONSTRUCTION. For the duration of time
between now and an agreed upon Lease Termination Date, please stop the extremely loud construction that disrupts our mental stability. If we can come to an agreement, we are willing to comply with your request and move elsewhere. However, we have tolerated the excessively loud construction noise and the intrusion of workers into our homes and balconies at unexpected times because we thought we would end up peacefully living here after repairs. Since we have tolerated these unbearable conditions only to be evicted, we request that you delay the excessively intrusive and loud repair aspects of the renovation (jackhammering, power drilling, cement demolition, countertop demolition, etc.) until we leave so that we can at least live in peace for the time we have remaining at our beloved residences.

5. RE-LEASE CONSIDERATION AND MOVING COST COVERAGE. For those who are interested in
moving back to the community upon completion of the renovation, please prioritize the option for them to sign new leases and re-enter the unit they have occupied for years. Please also pay for their moving costs away from the building and upon their return.

We feel that these demands are reasonable and would improve the quality of life for Residents of The Hamilton On The Bay Apartments. We are asking for Aimco/AIRC to, “Remember doing the right thing in the right way is how we want to do business at Aimco - always.” We hope that their corporate philosophies of high ethical standards and professional responsibility move them towards consideration for our circumstances and to apply the principle of service that will enable us to smoothly move out of the building. We are asking Aimco/AIRC to allow us to stay until 9/16/2021 if necessary.

We are also asking they grant us $22,500 as a move-out allowance per unit so we have the financing available to afford the move-in costs of comparable units and the related moving expenses. If granted, that will not only benefit us but them as well by enabling us to move-out sooner to residences we are happy with which will improve their company's ratings, reputation and stock value. More helpful for them, it will expedite the overall process and allow for faster completion of the renovation.

We are grateful for consideration of these options and providing the most assistance possible. Aimco/AIRC has the unique chance to change the narrative and be recognized for fairness and honesty with their Residents by acting in the best interest of not just their company, but the community they have promised to serve as well. Just like their team, we want a smooth transition but need to ask for the concessions above so it can happen.

Sincerely,
Residents of Hamilton on the Bay

? Take future action with a single click.
Log in or  Sign up for FastAction

Contact Information