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Michigan Cities Face Eviction Crisis — Here Are Some Solutions

Jake Neher

November 12, 2018 |

WDET |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

As Michigan cities struggle with high eviction rates, Cleveland is trying out some creative ways to mitigate the difficult effects of eviction. One effort, mediation between tenants and landlords, might lead to eviction being erased from someone’s record - a huge win. Another program connects social workers to tenants facing eviction. Finally, legal aid advocates support legal representation for anyone facing eviction. It’s a long road ahead, but other cities are definitely learning from Cleveland.

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Seattle Is Changing Who Gets A Say At City Hall. Could Austin Learn A Thing Or Two?

Audrey McGlinchy

November 12, 2018 |

KUT |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Getting renters involved in the conversation increases the diversity of voices and opinions in City Hall. In 2016, Seattle created a Renters’ Commission to provide a platform similar to traditional Home Owners’ Associations, where members can have an input and act as advocates for their communities. By having residents involved with the Renters’ Commission, Seattle hopes to rebalance power and involvement in local politics, from a model traditionally dominated disproportionately by homeowners, to one more representative of the city’s actual diversity.

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Landlords Are Powerful. Here's A Way Renters Are Regaining Some Control.

Oliver Balch

November 09, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

A growing number of tenant-focused websites are trying to level the power dynamic between shoddy landlords and tenants by giving tenants a voice. “There is a big power mismatch in today’s rental market, but it doesn’t have to be that way.” Amongst those is Rentlogic, which grades 1.1 million apartment buildings, but rather than relying on subjective comments the website provides a grade based on an algorithm.

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Tiny houses multiply amid big issues as communities tackle homelessness

Mike Plunkett

October 26, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

Cities around the United States look to tiny homes as a solution to the national homeless crisis. From Kansas City, Mo. to Seattle, Wa., community members and city officials come together to build tiny homes and provide access to a stable community.

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How a Booming City Can Be More Equitable

Barry Yeoman

October 15, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Durham, North Carolina

Durham, North Carolina works to maintain diversity of communities and perspectives by evaluating the inequities built into their current housing laws and economic opportunities. In redevelopment planning, the city also incorporates artists and activists into planning to ensure the city doesn't lose diversity of culture in its renewal plans.

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This Chef Is Fighting Gentrification With Hot Chicken

Deonna Anderson

August 31, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Nashville, Tennessee

A chef shows the "absurdity" of gentrification with a creative fundraising campaign. At one of Tunde Wey’s pop-up dinners, he charged $12 for a plate, but charged white people $30, to spark up conversations about racial wealth inequality. His H*t Chicken Sh*t, “a dinner series to end gentrification,” successfully raised $52,000 to go towards residents of North Nashville, “a historically Black neighborhood,” and their affordable housing.

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Hey, Can We Talk? Mediation Might Help Reduce Evictions

Andrew Stelzer

August 27, 2018 |

San Francisco Public Press |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

In Madison, Wisconsin, encouraging mediation and dispute-resolution between tenants and landlords has helped to limit evictions and San Francisco is looking to scale the model. Mediation helps build a relationship between the two parties in a dispute to help prevent more serious consequences like evictions and help both tenant and landlord solve problems, but the waiting list is long and the option is not available to everyone. Even then, encouraging the process would save money for all parties involved by limiting legal disputes.

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Voters OK'd Legal Aid for Tenants Facing Eviction — Now Comes the Hard Part

Andrew Stelzer

August 27, 2018 |

San Francisco Public Press |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Proposition F, passed in 2018 with an implementation deadline of July 2019, cements San Francisco as a key advocate in making legal representation accessible, especially in eviction cases. By passing a similar measure to one passed in New York, all renters now are eligible for legal counsel in eviction cases, regardless of their income level. The program is still in the early stages, but there is a potential for cost savings, too. With fewer evictions, there will likely be a lower demand for homeless and jail services.

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These Tenants Are Leading the Largest Rent Strike in LA History

Armando Aparicio David Zlutnick

August 20, 2018 |

The Nation (New York) |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Faced with rising rent costs, despite shoddy living conditions, tenants decided to join a rent strike, and take their case to the courts. So far the tenants have won three cases, and lost three. But, together they form the largest rent strike in the history of Los Angeles.

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America's Real Estate System Pushes Rents Up And People Out. There's Another Way.

Jarrid Green

August 20, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

In Oakland, a community land trust helped Hasta Muerte, a local cafe, avoid eviction. All over the country, community land trusts are helping communities of color keep their affordable housing.

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