Ordinances that allow landlords to evict tenants for nuisance complaints or alleged criminal activity may run afoul of federal protections, the DOJ warns.
The United States Department of Justice is warning cities that ordinances that allow landlords to evict tenants for ‘nuisance’ complaints may be federally illegal, reports Gabriel Hathaway in the Winona Post. “These ordinances can lead to renters being evicted due to minor nuisance violations and other offenses,” Hathaway explains.
“While ‘crime-free’ or ‘nuisance’ rental housing programs have different features, the DOJ letter notes they may encourage or require landlords to evict or punish tenants for alleged criminal activity, reject housing applicants because of a criminal history or past calls for emergency or law enforcement assistance, or designate medical or disability-related calls for service as a ‘nuisance,’ among other things.” According to the DOJ, “These features of ‘crime-free’ or ‘nuisance’ programs may violate federal statutes such as The Fair Housing Act (FHA), title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and The Violence Against Women Act.”
In a letter, DOJ Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke wrote, “The [DOJ] is charged with promoting fair access to housing and vigorously enforces federal laws aimed at achieving that goal. We encourage law enforcement agencies and local governments to assess their programs referred to as ‘crime”-free’ or ‘nuisance’ programs to determine whether they comply with the federal statutes discussed in this letter.”
FULL STORY: Feds: City rules evicting tenants over nuisances may be illegal
Tacoma Coalition Calls for ‘Tenants’ Bill of Rights’
The group wants to put more power in the hands of tenants, but the city has its own, competing proposal for addressing the housing crisis.
Good Cause Eviction Policies Don’t Hamper Construction, New Research Shows. Legislators Are Still Concerned.
Multiple states have ongoing pushes for good cause eviction protections. A frequent obstacle: a now disproven claim by developers.
Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)