Mussab Ali: Right-to-Counsel reform and the way forward | Opinion

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'As the RTC ordinance appears poised to pass the city council, I urge legislators and activists to funnel their energy toward a state bill that establishes confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records,' the author writes.

. I had the privilege of representing indigent clients facing eviction, often for reasons that were unjust, if not outright predatory. Each case was unique, yet they all bore the common thread of vulnerable individuals standing against the might of unscrupulous landlords. These experiences offered an invaluable, real-world education about the housing crisis, and how the law can be a tool for justice in the hands of those willing to fight for it.

Opposition to the RTC primarily comes from landlords and property management companies who view it as detrimental to their interests. They argue that additional aid should be provided directly to tenants facing eviction rather than being funneled to lawyers. The Jersey City RTC ordinance addresses this concern by allocating the majority of funds raised toward constructing and renovating affordable housing, and by setting aside 30% of the total funds for “affordability assistance” initiatives.

Furthermore, ensuring that a sufficient number of qualified and dedicated legal representatives are available to serve low-income tenants presents a significant challenge. Innovative models of legal service delivery need to be developed, possibly involving pro bono representation or partnerships with law schools. The ordinance does establish an office within City Hall to administer the RTC program, but local nonprofits are already advocating for outsourcing representation.

As the RTC ordinance appears poised to pass the city council, I urge legislators and activists to funnel their energy toward a state bill that establishes confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records., we must address that landlords and private tenant rating agencies often use tenant screening reports, which display criteria such as credit and criminal history, in a prejudicial or arbitrary way. One key area of concern is the use of court filing data by these agencies.

 

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