Walsh releases eviction guide for tenants in Boston

Mayor Martin Walsh earlier this month announced the launch of two new resources through the city’s Office of Housing Stability that aim to prevent displacement and decrease cases of eviction in the city.

The first new resource is a step-by-step guide for tenants who are dealing with eviction to inform them of their rights and options. The guide includes information on mediation, how to prepare for court, and what further steps to take in the event a judge orders them to leave.

The information available is not new, but how the information is presented to tenants is.

According to Lisa Pollack, director of communications for the Department of Neighborhood Development, it is meant to be comprehensive and accessible to anyone who may not know anything about the legal process of eviction.

“There are different resources presented, whether financial or legal, depending on where in the process a tenant is in,” she said.

According to a City of Boston press release, the Office of Housing Stability found that tenants do not always understand all of their rights in an eviction proceeding, and may believe they are forced to leave when in some cases, they might be able to stay or receive some sort of compensation or assistance.

The second resource launched by the Office of Housing Stability is a set of workshops for managers, owners, resident service coordinators and landlords on eviction prevention strategies.

Launched in 2016, the City of Boston’s Office of Housing Stability is one of the first of its kind in the nation.

Last January, Mayor Walsh filed an anti-displacement package with the state Legislature that includes the Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act, an act that, among other things, would allow tenants and nonprofits the right of first refusal to purchase properties subject to foreclosure or short sale, would grant the right to counsel in housing court and would create state income tax credits for renting unsubsidized units at below-market rates.

“As a city, we’re asking, ‘How do we stabilize the market and make sure there is affordable housing for everybody?’” Pollack said. “We add supply, which is what the Mayor’s entire housing plan is all about, and make sure the supply comes at a variety of income levels.”

Kadineyse Paz, program associate for the Boston Tenant Coalition said that she applauds the city for putting a comprehensive guide together.

“A lot of people think that an eviction notice is a final response and don’t think they can do anything about it,” she said. “But they can look for legal representation and community advocacy.”

However, Paz said informing tenants of their rights is only the first step.

“We’re hoping other policies like the Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act pass in the Legislature,” she said. “That would be a huge victory and another protection for tenants to have under their belt.”

The Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act is enforced on a city level and requires landlords to notify the city whenever they move to evict a tenant, for whatever reason. This allowed Boston to start tracking cases of eviction.

Paz said that BTC hopes to continue working with the city on monitoring eviction and housing discrimination through a racial lens.

“These issues are at the forefront of what we’re currently facing,” said Paz. “This is the year that the city can ramp this up.”