RICHLAND HEIGHTS NORTH • RICHLAND HEIGHTS SOUTH • CREEKWOOD ESTATES COLUMBIA TENANTS UNION | LOCALS 1, 2 & 3
A Community Newsletter Celebrating Our First Months of Organizing
Just a few months ago, many of us felt alone.
Neighbors were facing rising rents, unexplained fees, maintenance concerns, communication
issues, uncertainty about the future of our communities, and the feeling that nobody was
listening. Most residents knew their neighbors were frustrated. Few realized how many people
felt exactly the same way. What began as conversations between neighbors quickly became something bigger.
Residents started meeting.
Stories were shared.
Concerns were documented.
Relationships were built.
Leaders emerged.
Soon, residents from Richland Heights North, Richland Heights South, and Creekwood
Estates began organizing together around a simple idea: When tenants stand together, we are
stronger. Today, more than 100 households have come together through Columbia Tenants
Union Locals 1, 2, and 3. This newsletter celebrates what we have accomplished together so
far and highlights the work that still lies ahead.
JANUARY 2026 — OUR JOURNEY SO FAR
Residents from all three communities began holding meetings and discussing common
concerns.
Neighbors started sharing experiences regarding rent increases, fees, maintenance issues,
communication challenges, and long-term community conditions.
A bargaining team was formed.
Resident leaders stepped forward.
Communication networks were established.
The foundation for Columbia Tenants Union Locals 1, 2, and 3 was built.
FEBRUARY 8, 2026 — HISTORIC PUBLIC LAUNCH
On February 8th, residents publicly launched Columbia Tenants Union Locals 1, 2, and 3. The
launch represented 102 households across Richland Heights North, Richland Heights South,
and Creekwood Estates. The event marked the first public appearance of the union and the
presentation of collective demands to Regal Communities and CEO Josh Schulman.
Residents called for:
• A rent freeze until a collectively bargained lease is negotiated
• Immediate good-faith negotiations with a democratically elected tenant bargaining team
• Transparency regarding leases, titles, fees, and official documents
• Adequate timelines for repairs and maintenance
• Accessible and functional storm shelters
• An end to intimidation, retaliation, and unexplained fees
The launch received local media attention and helped bring public awareness to tenant
concerns across the community.
FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2026 — BUILDING MOMENTUM
Following the launch, residents continued organizing at an unprecedented pace. Union
members attended strategy meetings, bargaining team meetings, organizing trainings, and
community events. Residents connected with tenant organizers from around Missouri.
Community leaders, advocacy groups, elected officials, and housing organizers began
expressing support for the movement. The union also participated in statewide tenant
organizing efforts and advocacy opportunities. Each conversation helped strengthen the
network of neighbors committed to improving our communities.
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
Throughout the organizing process, something unexpected happened… Neighbors who had
lived near each other for years began getting to know one another.
People started exchanging phone numbers.
Residents checked in on each other.
Information moved faster.
Problems became community concerns instead of individual struggles.
The union became more than an organizing effort.
It became a community.
APRIL 2026 — COMMUNITY BBQ
One of our favorite moments so far was our first Community BBQ. Families from Richland
Heights and Creekwood Estates came together for an afternoon of food, conversation, games,
and community building.
Residents shared stories.
Children played together.
Neighbors met face-to-face.
New friendships were formed.
The event reminded us that organizing is not only about meetings and negotiations. It is also
about building stronger neighborhoods. Thank you to everyone who attended, donated food,
volunteered, helped organize, or simply showed up.
We hope this will be the first of many community events!
MARCH 2026 — TENANTS RALLY AT CITY HALL
One month after publicly launching and issuing collective demands, residents gathered
outside Columbia City Hall to continue raising awareness about ongoing concerns.
Many residents reported that major issues remained unresolved and Landlord Joshua
Schulman did not reach out to begin good-faith conversations.
Tenant Bruce Ross addressed the crowd:
“I wish the mayor and the people in this building would wake up to what’s happening in
Columbia, Missouri.”
Resident Logan Moore spoke about the ‘response’ tenants had received.
“The only thing we got was one email that basically told us we weren’t allowed to talk to our
neighbors.”
Union spokeswoman Vee Sanchez emphasized the importance of community support.
“There’s more than one way to support tenants who are fighting back.”
“We do want absolutely all of the community support as they go up against a large
corporation.”
The rally generated additional media coverage and helped keep attention focused on the
concerns facing residents.
GROWING OUR COMMUNITY
One of the most exciting developments this year has been the growth of our online
community. The Richland Heights & Creekwood Estates Facebook Group and Signal chats
continues to provide residents with:
• Union updates
• Community announcements
• Event information
• Resources and support
• Opportunities to connect with neighbors
We encourage all residents to join the group and stay connected.
TIMELINE OF ACHIEVEMENT
JANUARY 2026
Organizing begins across three communities
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FEBRUARY 8, 2026
Historic Public Launch of CTU Locals 1, 2, & 3
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FEBRUARY 2026
Collective demands delivered
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FEBRUARY–MARCH 2026
Bargaining team meetings and community organizing
↓
MARCH 2026
City Hall Rally and additional media coverage
↓
SPRING 2026
Tenant Solidarity Fund established
↓
SPRING 2026
Support provided to Nancy Bennett
↓
APRIL 2026
Community BBQ #1
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JULY 18TH, 2026
Outermind Benefit Concert at Cafe Berlin
UPCOMING EVENT — SOLIDARITY FUND BENEFIT CONCERT
SATURDAY JULY 18TH — 5:30PM TO CLOSE — @ CAFE BERLIN
We are excited to announce a special benefit concert featuring TWO bands whose lead
singers are residents of Richland Heights! Outermind and Cost of Desire will be joining DJ Jai
and another Columbia band called Leeching for what we are hoping to be the Union’s largest
event to date!
Proceeds from the event will help support the Tenant Solidarity Fund and future organizing
efforts. This event is an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come while raising resources
for the work ahead. Whether you’ve attended every meeting or are just learning about the
union, we invite you to join us.
Community.
Music.
Solidarity.
THANK YOU
Everything accomplished so far has happened because ordinary residents chose to get
involved.
Thank you to every volunteer.
Every organizer.
Every donor.
Every supporter.
Every resident who attended a meeting.
Every neighbor who knocked on a door.
Every person who shared their story.
Every family who believed that things could improve.
The story of Columbia Tenants Union Locals 1, 2, and 3 is still being written.
And we are writing it together!
#UnionStrong
#WeWillWin
#ColumbiaMO