Ep. 27: Housing Hardship with Rose Webster-Smith and Jean Frances

We have been away, out in the field, working on an important episode about the housing crisis facing western Massachusetts. First, in Easthampton, we interviewed 81-year-old resident Jean Frances, who is facing a steep rent increase on a fixed income. She welcomed us into her home to talk about the reality renters are facing. Then, we sat down in Springfield to talk radical action with Rose Webster-Smith, director of Springfield No One Leaves, a grassroots group fighting against evictions and for housing justice. Rose shared her own experience with eviction and discussed strategies and resources tenants can use to fight back.

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Produced by Ático Studios. Music by An Archaeologist.

The Shoestring is an independent local news outlet serving western Massachusetts. In our podcast Trippin’ on the Shoestring, investigative reporters Dusty Christensen and Shelby Lee bring you big local scoops and important voices from across the Connecticut River Valley.

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