Vote Where You Rent is a nonpartisan civic-tech organization in Athens, Ohio. 75% of the city's homes are rentals, but renters cast only about a quarter of the votes. We publish the data that shows where renter power is hiding — and how to claim it.
In the news
Athens County landlords and property managers agreed to pay $480,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging nearly twenty years of sexual harassment of tenants, in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Read at U.S. Department of Justice ↗ Athens council grapples with rental inspectionsOfficial data reveals inspection rates dropped to 76% in 2024 — meaning 1 in 4 Athens rentals avoided safety checks entirely.
Read at Athens Independent ↗ Record enrollment at Ohio University places strain on rental housing marketStudents are now signing leases for their junior year while still freshmen — two years ahead of move-in — as record enrollment pushes Athens' rental market to a breaking point.
Read at The Athens Messenger ↗ UACT advocates for tenants in local governmentTenant stories from Athens renters: one rental company failed 110 of its last 113 safety inspections, and students report maintenance entering bedrooms without the 24-hour notice required by law.
Read at The Post Athens ↗ Ranking Ohio cities by share of renters vs. homeownersNew Census estimates rank Athens #2 in Ohio for renter share: 68.1% of Athens housing is renter-occupied, yet renters remain underrepresented at the polls.
Read at cleveland.com ↗ Ceiling collapse at Athens rental reveals a gap in code enforcement inspectionsA ceiling on Shafer St. caved in on tenants just weeks after passing a city inspection — because Athens code officers are not required to check roofs.
Read at WOUB Public Media ↗Press kit
Boilerplate: Vote Where You Rent's mission is to improve renting policy in Athens by empowering renters to vote in their best interests. We aim to increase renter voter turnout, registration, and political engagement. We believe the best way to do that is by demanding that politicians and ballots focus on issues that renters care about. So basically, we fight slumlords in the name of democracy.
Contact: For interviews, data requests, or press inquiries, reach Cody Sigmon through our contact form.
Help get the word out!
Thank you for your interest in supporting renters in Athens, Ohio. Please share our goals with your network to help make real change happen.