The Take Back Our Homes collaborative (part of the Organized Power in Numbers organization) is working to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities by attempting to improve the balance the power between landlords and tenants during eviction procedures – right in line with good public health practice!  

Last week they hosted a press conference launching a campaign to advocate for the city of Phoenix to adopt a Renters’ Right to Counsel’ policy – and important intervention to balance the scales between landlords and tenants in Arizona.

In essence – the initiative is trying to help balance the legal scales by providing legal counsel for tenants during the eviction process. As it stands – next to no tenants have legal representation during eviction procedures in Arizona while most or virtually all landlords have legal representation

As you’ll recall, we wrote a two-part series last week pointing out that Arizona’s antiquated Residential Landlord and Tenant Act is highly tilted in favor of landlords.

In those pieces I advocated for changes to the balance of power between landlords and tenants by urging key reforms should include:

  1. Just Cause Eviction Protections: Require landlords to provide a valid reason for eviction, preventing arbitrary and retaliatory actions.
  2. Extended Eviction Timelines: Lengthen the notice period for evictions to give tenants more time to find alternative housing, reducing the likelihood of homelessness.
  3. Mandatory Mediation: Implement a mandatory mediation program for eviction cases, encouraging dispute resolution and keeping more Arizonans in their homes.
  4. Heat Season Eviction Moratorium: Prohibit evictions during the hottest months of the year to protect tenants from the dangers of extreme heat.

What I forgot to mention was that providing legal counsel for tenants during the eviction process! What an oversight on my part!  

Here are the key components of their Right to Counsel initiative: 

  • The collaborative has contracted for an independently produced cost-benefit analysis of a Right to Counsel policy for the city of Phoenix, and essential piece of the puzzle to inform city council members’ decisions on the proposal.
  • Phoenix is currently participating in this Results for America Right to Counsel Policy Sprint, with a team composed of legal aid providers, tenant organizers, city staff, elected officials, and a member of the Maricopa County Bench. The purpose of this program is to bring together relevant stakeholders and build knowledge, relationships, and skills to advance a Right to Counsel policy.
  • Here are several political education training sessions we have hosted over the past 6 months:  Right to Counsel Political Education Part 1 and Part 2 for tenants which builds understanding of this policy. They’ve also gathered over 400 surveys from community members, hosted several leadership training events, and recently held a large day-long forum with over 100 tenants to talk about tenants’ experiences in Phoenix and what change is needed.
  • Finally, they’ve built a community coalition composed of direct service providers, legal aid providers, policy advocates, members of the Arizona State Bar, faith-based organizations, and labor organizations who support Right to Counsel policies. 

You can see some of the media coverage that was earned by the Take Back Our Homes collaborative last week.

What’s the evidence based for this initiative you ask? Good question. Here are some resources that connect the dots between eviction and eviction prevention to public health outcomes: 

This Right to Counsel Initiative is in direct alignment with AZPHA’s commitment to improving health disparities and I’m currently in contact with their organization to see how AZPHA might be of help with this evidence-based intervention. Stay tuned.

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