Akron’s Freedom BLOC is collecting petition signatures through Aug. 5 in order to place three charter amendments — two related to housing and one to public safety — on the November ballot.
Petitioners are moving around the city, collecting registered voters’ signatures at community events and outside grocery stores and gas stations.
If successful, the two housing proposals would change the Akron City Charter — the core legal document used to run the government. Supporters of the proposals believe the changes would make housing more accessible and affordable for all residents.
Residents like Monique Sales, a tenant leader who has lived at Wilbeth Arlington Homes in East Akron since 2012. Sales said she has dealt with unstable living conditions throughout the time she’s lived in this former AMHA-managed, income-qualified complex. (The apartments are now privately owned and managed by KMG Prestige.)
“Being the leader, I’m the one to get it started,” said Sales, who previously completed a related Freedom BLOC University workshop. “I’m the one to bother them. I’m the one making noise when my fellow tenants can’t do it.”
- Amendment #1: Ban housing application fees, including for screening and background checks. Allow renters to pay security deposits in three- or six-month installments rather than paying the entire balance up front.
Why?: This would lower the upfront cost of renting.
- Amendment #2: Ensure fair housing practices are codified broadly in the city charter. This would include prohibiting landlord discrimination of certain protected classes such as having a criminal history, with exceptions for registered sex offenders or arson offenders.
Why? It would lower barriers for formerly incarcerated people.
“Much of what we are up to is creating conditions that our community needs for us to move forward,” said Imokhai Okolo, a Freedom BLOC organizer and attorney. Freedom BLOC is a local, Black-led organization that strives to achieve social, racial and economic justice.
The housing initiative, named after and centered on the idea that “Housing is a Human Right,” aims to make housing accessible and provide stable housing for every human being.
“The way those policies connect to ‘Housing is a Human Right’ is the fact that we believe everybody deserves housing,” said Freedom BLOC Executive Director Ray Greene. “‘Why is there an application fee? Particularly if you’re not going to give me the house? Why is there a security deposit that I can’t afford?’
“Everyone deserves a house.”
Once about 2,500 valid signatures are collected, petitioners and volunteers will vet the list and then begin door knocking and sharing additional information so voters are clear on their choices, said Michael “HB” King, one of the petitioners.
A signature is valid if the signee is registered to vote in Summit County.
How to sign the Akron petition
Registered voters who are interested in signing the petition can sign in-person at Freedom BLOC (848 W. Exchange St.).
Freedom BLOC plans to continue advocating for additional policies, Okolo said, and seek to place them in future ballot measures.
Housing as a commodity
Freedom BLOC has worked on housing solutions for years — Okolo has led these efforts since 2023.
Okolo said housing is treated as a commodity. For example, management companies collect application fees from possible tenants or require deposits, he said.
“‘Housing is a Human Right’ really attacks capitalism,” Okolo said.
Freedom BLOC’s past efforts of mobilizing and educating tenant leaders have led to this housing campaign. This includes creating an activity book and slide deck explaining the housing crisis to present Akron residents.
Sales hopes that the policies make it to the ballot this year.
“It’s a never-ending fight.” she said.
