Formerly incarcerated people are 10 times more likely to become homeless than people without criminal backgrounds. The Housing FIRST Act would ban credit-check companies from including criminal history information on prospective tenants’ files if enacted.
There has been a ‘parabolic increase’ in cities and states giving tenants a right to counsel to help fight evictions.
A bill passed by the state legislature, but yet to be enacted, would offer access to counsel for low-income renters.
Activists are calling for a number of new policies to expand the reach of community land trusts.
Numerous city councils and state legislatures are debating giving renters a right to counsel, which can make the difference between stability and catastrophe.
In Granite City, Illinois, landlords have been penalized for refusing to evict tenants who have criminal records or are simply living with someone who does.
Tenants rights groups in Brooklyn, Kansas City, New Orleans, and elsewhere are using physical blockades and direct action to keep people in their homes.
Tenants and progressive leaders who cried out for a national action must now grapple with two truths: This eviction moratorium will save lives, but everything about it is a page out of Trump’s re-election playbook.
Some corporate landlords who received federal PPP loans are notorious for mistreating tenants.
Some are striking because they can’t afford to pay the rent. Others are striking in protest against what they say is inhumane treatment.