Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Although Douglas County has expressed commitment to tenant right to counsel and has engaged in implementation discussions for months, a majority of county commissioners Wednesday opted instead to have county staff do more research on mediation.
Nathan Kramer/Lawrence Times
The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday will review staff recommendations to create a limited tenant right to counsel pilot program for 2027, despite an advocacy group’s calls for a program to support all renters facing eviction.
Douglas County commissioners have requested that staff complete more research over the next month or two toward implementing tenant right to counsel, though dozens of advocates called for a vote to launch a program this month.
Nathan Kramer/Lawrence Times
People with housing advocacy organizations urged the Douglas County Commission to schedule a vote and adopt tenant right to counsel next month.
“Last year, at least 222 of our neighbors in Douglas County were evicted from their homes. … A right to counsel program helps all tenants,” Vince Munoz of Lawrence Tenants writes in this letter to the Times.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
As Douglas County commissioners reviewed eviction prevention methods, presenters identified a need for greater public education on tenant-landlord issues, while representatives from Lawrence Tenants called for tenant right to counsel.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
A recent “Know Your Rights” presentation provided legal resources to tenants in Lawrence, demonstrating that they have recourse to fight evictions in court.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Times
Dozens of Lawrence community members showed up for an advocacy event Tuesday evening, despite the 90° temperatures and no air conditioning inside the Ecumenical Campus Ministries building.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
A local civic engagement organization is leading “an evening of connection, conversation, and community power-building,” coming up Tuesday.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
A local renter-led advocacy group plans to present the Douglas County Commission an ordinance to guarantee tenants legal representation in eviction cases within the next few months.
