November 18, 2020
On November 16, the Baltimore City Council UNANIMOUSLY passed CB 20-0625, which would make Baltimore City the 7th jurisdiction in the nation to provide renters a right to counsel when facing eviction. Huge thanks to sponsor Council President Brandon Scott and all council members!
From August to October 2020, the Baltimore City District Court and landlords evicted 451 families in the middle of a pandemic. Many of these families likely did not know that they had defenses to eviction. 96% of landlords are represented but only 1% of renters are represented in eviction cases. Right to counsel reduces that imbalance of power.
We need your help:
1. Call or email Mayor Jack Young (410-396-4900, mayor@baltimorecity.gov) and ask him to sign the Right to Counsel bill, Council Bill 20-0625. Tell the Mayor why you support right to counsel. Mayor Young has supported affordable housing and renters in the past by passing historic legislation to fund the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund in 2018, signing the Renter Relief Act to stop late fees for the moment, and allocating $30 million to eviction prevention during the pandemic. Now is the time for him to solidify this legacy by signing #RightToCounsel.
2. Share this Facebook post and include one reason you support #RightTo Counsel.
