Lawrence Community Advocates Push for Tenant Right to Counsel on October Agenda

At the Douglas County Board of Commissioners meeting on September 3, 2025, a passionate call for tenant rights took center stage, with multiple speakers urging the commission to place the issue of tenant right to counsel on the agenda for an upcoming vote.

Merrill Saic, a local resident, shared a personal story highlighting the challenges faced by tenants without legal representation. Saic recounted a distressing experience with a landlord who allegedly misled them about their lease renewal, emphasizing that access to legal counsel could have changed the outcome of their situation. "If I would have had legal counsel, I think I would have had a greater chance to not lose my home," Saic stated, underscoring the need for legal support in eviction cases.

Birdie Albrecht, a direct service advocate at the Lawrence Community Shelter, echoed these sentiments on behalf of the Lawrence Community Shelter Workers Union. Albrecht presented a letter from the union, which expressed strong support for establishing tenant right to counsel in Douglas County. The letter highlighted that over 400 evictions are filed annually in the district court, and providing legal representation could significantly help tenants remain in their homes. "Evictions cause unnecessary homelessness, trauma, and unsafe situations in working families' lives," Albrecht noted, calling for action to address the eviction crisis.

Nick Simpson, another local renter, also voiced his support for the initiative, urging the commissioners to prioritize the issue. The collective push from residents and advocates reflects a growing concern over housing stability and the need for equitable legal support for tenants facing eviction.

As the commission considers the request to add tenant right to counsel to their agenda, the discussions at this meeting signal a critical moment for tenant advocacy in Douglas County, with potential implications for thousands of households in the community.