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legal
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How a Landlord Tried to Silence Tenants and Stop a Shelterforce Story
When Chicago tenants on rent strike agreed to stop speaking publicly about their landlord as part of settling their eviction cases, they honored the agreement. They never dreamed the landlord's lawyers would try to charge them with violating the agreement for having talked to us in the past.
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Laboratories of Democracy: Emerging State and Local Policy Visions
There is power at the local level. Join us as we build off our latest Under the Lens series to hear about a range of exciting policies and campaigns at […]
Avoiding Evictions: How State and Local Policy Can Keep Tenants in Their Homes
At a time when support for housing homeless people is under attack, preventing unnecessary evictions—which are costly as well as cruel—is more important than ever for local governments. Here are some of the approaches being tried.
States Can Put the Brakes on Landlord Collusion and Junk Fees
States can pursue legal remedies under anti-trust laws when landlords collude to raise rents or use deceptive practices to institute extra fees, even if the federal government backs away from these cases.
Legislators Push Back Against ‘Rent-Setting’ Software
In the last several months, lawmakers in more than two dozen cities and states have made strides to stop landlords from using anti-competitive rental software to determine how much to charge for rent. Shelterforce looks at the wins and losses so far.
Missouri Tenants Sue Owners Who They Say Broke Rules in Exiting Tax Credit Program
In Springfield, Missouri, organized tenants have filed a lawsuit against the past and present owners of their tax credit–financed properties, claiming that in exercising an opt-out provision they violated both state and federal requirements.
Supreme Court Considers Landlord Appeal That Could Overturn Tenant Protections
A legal case claiming that COVID-era eviction moratoriums were unconstitutional could spell trouble for tenant protections
Blocked, Restored, Blocked Again—Housing Funds Are in Legal Limbo
Since Trump took office, the administration has blocked multiple affordable housing funding streams. Here’s a look at which funds have been frozen, which have been reinstated, and which are in the courts.
The Fight Continues Against Criminalization of Homelessness
Though disappointed in the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing sleeping bans, homeless advocates are energized and organizing around other solutions.
They Had No Heat for Four Months. A New Law Let Them Sue.
In New York state, tenants can now take landlords to court to force repairs and get damages, without withholding rent first. Here’s how one of the first tests of the new law worked.
Albany’s Good-Cause Eviction Law Worked—Before the Courts Blocked It
As local tenant protections face judicial backlash across New York, tenants are pushing for a statewide version of the law.
Absence of Eviction Court Recordings Leaves Tenants Vulnerable
In a court division where a family can lose their home after a two-minute trial and only 12 percent of tenants have lawyers, Cook County’s lack of eviction court transcripts—with no court reporters or digital recording equipment since 2004—has serious repercussions for tenants.
The People’s Court
Cleveland housing court Judge Raymond Pianka uses innovative legal tactics to achieve code compliance, but is it enough to stabilize neighborhoods?