Most tenants facing eviction don t have legal representation, but advocates in Illinois are trying to change that. The Chicago Department of Housing announced a pilot program in April to provide low-income renters with free legal representation when facing eviction. Advocates view this as a step in the right direction, but note it falls short of a guaranteed right to counsel for tenants. .
By Jala Forest/Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Rents have been rising fast over the last two years, creating hardship for Ohioans who are surviving on wages that aren t keeping up. Between December 2019 and December 2021, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Ohio s five most populous counties increased between 15% and 18%, according to data from Zillow. .
Most tenants facing eviction do not have legal representation, but a pilot program in Baltimore seeks to change that. The cost of eviction to the individual is high, with disruptions to families, health, and often jobs. The cost to city and state services in the wake of this disruption is measured in the millions of dollars. .