The meeting began with an announcement about the landmark acquisition, promising that existing tenants would not experience rent increases of more than 2%, as outlined by Sheila Dillon from the city of Boston. Dillon thanked numerous contributors, including the Fair Lawn Tenant Association and City Life, for their dedication. She specifically highlighted Adam Goldstein’s exhaustive commitment, stating, “I don’t think Adam has slept in weeks as he’s worked through every single detail and problem to get us here today.”

Mayor Michelle Wu continued the discussion, emphasizing the importance of community collaboration. She expressed gratitude for the relentless efforts of the Fair Lawn Tenant Association and other stakeholders in securing this achievement. Wu noted the challenges faced by residents, referencing a tenant, Miss Annie, who had to delay retirement to maintain housing stability. This initiative aims to convert over a thousand market-rate units into permanently affordable housing.

Wu acknowledged various community organizations, stressing the critical link between housing and health, stating, “You need a safe, healthy home in order to do everything else in your life.” Kim Sherman Stamler, President of Related Beal, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to preserve Fair Lawn as a sustainable community for current and future residents.

The meeting also delved into ongoing tenant advocacy and legislative needs. A representative from Win Management committed to effective property management, while Gabrielle, a community organizer with City Life, recounted the history of tenant struggles, emphasizing housing as a fundamental right. Gabrielle reflected on the tenants’ resistance to inadequate offers from previous owners and the successful fight for stability. She argued for stronger tenant protections, including rent control and the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), to prevent displacement in communities like Mattapan.

Andy, a tenant leader, shared his experience of living in Faon for 50 years, expressing disappointment at previous management’s actions, which included significant rent increases. He called for legislative action to cap rents, recalling the adverse effects of the 1994 removal of rent control on community stability. Betty, another tenant association member, echoed these sentiments. She stressed the urgency of enacting rent control laws and passing TOPA to protect tenants.

Calls for lifting the rent control ban and passing TOPA were repeated by multiple speakers. The narratives shared by Gabrielle, Andy, and Betty painted a picture of the struggles faced by long-term residents amid rising rents and corporate interests, reflecting broader issues of housing insecurity affecting many communities in the area.

The meeting also celebrated the community’s resilience and advocacy efforts. One speaker recalled past protests during challenging times, highlighting community perseverance. They noted that the property acquisition was a victory for transit-oriented housing, a goal the community had long advocated for. A council member emphasized this sentiment, stating, “This is a beautiful moment in housing justice… what people power looks like when we are intentional about using our dollars and putting people before profit.” They also recognized the critical role of local activism in achieving these goals.

Brandy Fluker Reed shared her personal connection to Mattapan, reiterating the need for ongoing advocacy and support for housing as a fundamental human right. She linked housing security to broader community well-being, stating, “Without housing, we’re not going to make it as a commonwealth.” District 5 City Councilor Enrique Pepin expressed his pride in the Mattapan community, emphasizing that affordability is the paramount issue in Boston. He stressed the importance of ensuring families can afford to remain in their homes, connecting housing stability to overall community health.