Miguelo has long wrestled with the harsh realities of being a renter in America. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000 and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis even earlier, Miguelo has been on disability for much of his life. Originally from California, his journey as a tenant began in Texas after high school, where he encountered his first taste of landlord neglect. The apartment complex in Texas accused him of owing money for damages he didn’t cause.
“These weren’t damages from misuse but a lack of basic maintenance,” he said. “They did not do any maintenance previously or even when I was there, but I was still to blame for the responsibility.”
In 2006, he moved to Springfield, Missouri, and settled into an apartment. He’s called this apartment home for nearly two decades, but it’s far from the safe and comfortable haven it should be. His battle with his landlord has become a defining feature of his experience in Springfield. Throughout his time renting in Springfield, he has experienced everything from issues with the safety and accessibility of his home to trouble receiving basic maintenance, all while facing rising rents and continual complaints from landlords.
The most troubling issue was an infestation of bedbugs, which he did not bring into his apartment, and the cost of treatment was passed onto him.
“Over the years, I’ve undergone three heat treatments for the pests, paying out of pocket for two,” he shared. “It doesn’t seem right that I paid for a service my landlord should have covered.”
His struggles with the apartment company extend far beyond bedbugs. He’s been hit with rent increases each year since he moved in, despite living on a fixed income. His benefits provide a modest amount, enough to scrape by, but not enough to handle constant rent hikes or rising utility bills. When the electric company raised its rates, he was forced to seek assistance from the Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) to avoid falling behind.
His relationship with management wasn’t always so strained. When he first moved in, Miguelo befriended the apartment’s manager. She lived in the complex as well, and they shared a sense of mutual respect. However, she eventually quit, citing frustrations with management and their administration.
“When she left, I lost the only advocate I had within the company,” he said.
The physical limitations of his apartment have added to his burdens. His unit is too small to accommodate the electric wheelchair he’ll soon receive, forcing him to use it mostly outside. He does have a handrail in the bathroom, one of the few concessions to his disabilities, but it’s hardly enough. Despite his apartment being a long-term residence, Miguelo still struggles with basic comfort.
“The temperature inside my apartment fluctuates dramatically, letting cold air in during the winter and hot air in the summer. I’ve simply learned to live with it because I don’t have a choice.”
Maintenance, when needed, is performed, but Miguelo has had nearly every major appliance malfunction at least once. His appliances have been replaced over time, but issues like the temperature regulation and arbitrary restrictions on what he can keep on his patio remain unresolved.
“They threatened me with eviction for having too many items on my patio that weren’t patio furniture,” he exclaims, a frustrating situation for someone with so little space inside his apartment.
The struggles aren’t just physical or financial — they’re deeply personal. For Miguelo, the lack of autonomy in his own home cuts deep. He feels that tenants deserve more say in their living conditions, without the constant fear of eviction hanging over their heads.
Despite all of these challenges, he has never stopped fighting. His activism took root when he discovered First UU Church in Springfield, where he met Vee, the cofounder of Springfield Tenants Unite (STUN). Through this connection, he began volunteering with STUN in 2020, taking his personal experiences and turning them into advocacy for others.
“I want tenants to have more control over their living conditions and to be able to make decisions without the constant threat of losing their homes.”
Miguelo knows firsthand how difficult it is for renters to stand up to landlords and large property management companies. He’s not alone in this fight, as he has found strength in his communities, especially within STUN, where tenants across Springfield come together to share their stories and demand change. His dream is simple yet profound:
“For me, it’s not just about my situation — it’s about fighting for a world where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing.”
Today, Miguelo continues to be an advocate. While he is passionate about tenants’ rights, his activism doesn’t stop there. He’s been to Jefferson City five times with Empower Abilities, a local nonprofit, to speak with politicians about the needs of disabled and low-income people. His voice has become a powerful tool in the fight for housing justice.
Through it all, he remains hopeful that one day, tenants like him will no longer have to live in fear — that they will finally have the power to control their own futures.
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