The secret lives of banks and mortgage companies, pt. 2

In my last post on this subject, I mentioned that banks and mortgage companies almost always choose to kick families out of their homes after foreclosure - even if they are paying tenants. Having knocked on many doors with a fellow organizer since my last update, I cannot begin to relate the amount of situations we've run into with people facing eviction from their homes. For the purposes of this post, however, I will say that those directly impacted by foreclosure in Providence (and elsewhere, I would venture) are predominantly Hispanic people with low incomes. Neighborhoods which fit this demographic - among them the West End, Olneyville, Silver Lake, Upper and Lower South Providence - also tend to be highest in foreclosures. Decimated streets such as Hanover and Ford, rife with destroyed, empty three-family homes are a monument to the War on the Poor and the War on poor people of color in particular.

As with so many other things, undocumented people are particularly oppressed by post-foreclosure evictions. It seems to me reasonable to assume that all the confusion and distortion that surrounds tenant rights after foreclosure among documented people is also found among people who lack papers. However, there is also a strong and understandable fear of both seeking help from groups outside of the community confrontation with authorities such as the bank or the government. Rhode Island's racist governor, with support from the overwhelmingly Democratic General Assembly, has issued an executive order stepping up police actions against suspected undocumented people (read: cops harassing and detaining brown people). Documents from mortgage servicers are intimidating and almost always in English. And even if an undocumented person wanted to move out, money received through cash-for-keys is counted as taxable income and thus requires either a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Given all of this it is easy to imagine that many people say nothing and continue to be exploited by landlords who collect rent after foreclosure and simply pack up and leave once they receive an eviction notice (if not before).

How is it possible for people to get organized in such a climate? This goes beyond systems of support - we're talking standing up and fighting back. I can't answer this question, because in part it's not mine to answer. I will say that until people start taking direct action, the racist power structure in Rhode Island will continue to tyrannize the people of this state. This is a struggle that's beyond fighting for a place to live - this is about living with dignity and safety wherever you choose to.