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Eviction prevention efforts in Baltimore lag

Doug Donovan Jean Marbella

May 06, 2017 |

The Baltimore Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Resources to prevent evictions in Baltimore continue to decline, even while other cities are allotting more resources to keeping people in their homes. This article explores the many problems facing Baltimore tenants trying to avoid eviction and juxtaposes those examples with those of other cities such as New York, which is actually expanding funding for attorneys to represent tenants because avoiding evictions saves money. Many organizations in Baltimore say people often need help just once to avert a crisis, but the funds available to help continue to dwindle.

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Leveling the playing field in rent court

The Baltimore Sun Editorial Board

April 30, 2017 |

The Baltimore Sun |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

This is an opinion piece by the paper's staff based on a large series of investigative stories about evictions and substandard housing in Baltimore. It critiques a system that was designed to protect tenants, where they can get a judge to set up an escrow account to collect rent while landlords make repairs, because it usually favors landlords over tenants. The column outlines specific fixes that would address this imbalance, including more code inspections, a more transparent process and laws that hold landlords accountable for substandard properties.

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Dismissed: Tenants lose, landlords win in Baltimore's rent court

Doug Donovan Jean Marbella

April 26, 2017 |

The Baltimore Sun |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore is home to the nation’s first housing court. Established 70 years ago, the court was supposed to hold landlords accountable for code violations, such as failing to provide heat, remove lead paint, or respond to pest infestations. But today, even if city inspectors deem properties so endangering to health and safety that they are uninhabitable, judges routinely require tenants to pay withheld rent before cases are even heard.

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Will Limited-Equity Cooperatives Make a Comeback?

Lillian M. Ortiz

April 25, 2017 |

Shelterforce |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Limited Equity Co-ops provide a long term, affordable housing solution for tenants. The method began in the 60s and is slowly rising again. In a LEC the value of the housing unit can’t go up to market value, and therefore preserves affordable prices for a longer period of time. “The history of limited-equity co-ops is full of residents who work together to fight eviction and take care of their building.” There are an estimated 160,000 LEC’s nationally.

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A Focus on Health to Resolve Urban Ills

Amy Maxmen

April 19, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Richmond, California

Social and economic factors are increasingly being linked to health circumstances and outcomes. This article highlights the city of Richmond, California, which has responded to this correlation, integrating issues of health into all levels of policy.

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Taking Back the South Bronx

Sarah Hayley Barrett

November 17, 2016 |

WNYC |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In the face of gentrification in their South Bronx neighborhood, Mott Haven, residents responded by creating the Mott Haven Port Morris Community Land Trust. Inspired by the Cooper Square Committee land trust, Mott Haven’s land trust wants to be responsible for the area’s affordable housing, and it also hopes to facilitate community-building.

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Chicago Renters Back ‘ROOTS' as Solution to Affordable Housing

Chloe Riley

September 21, 2016 |

Equal Voice News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Communities United a grassroots organizations in Chicago is solving the city's housing crisis with a program called ROOTS (Renters Organizing Ourselves to Stay). The organization is bringing together financiers, development organizations and partners to make housing more affordable. ROOTS managed to significantly improve renters' rights law by making amendments to the city’s affordable housing ordinance.

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The Rent Is Now Somewhat Less High in Paris

Feargus O'Sullivan

August 03, 2016 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

France’s cities, including Paris, are among the world’s most expensive to live in. In 2015, France passed rent control laws that restrict outlandish rent increases through the Rent Observatory that oversees the different zones and contracts, as well as a website that tells residents if their prospective landlords are charging too much. One year later, the regulations have been effective at controlling the rent by 30% in Paris.

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Legal Aid With a Digital Twist

Tina Rosenberg

June 01, 2016 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Software and apps are helping millions of Americans trying to solve civil problems on their own.

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How the slum women of Ahmedabad led a housing revolution

Carlin Carr

April 14, 2016 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

The Indian city where Gandhi established his first ashram can be grueling if you live in a slum: 50 ºC temperatures, poor ventilation, no running water. A group of women had had enough and agreed to work with developers.

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