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Advocate Urges Vermont Lawmakers to Adopt ‘Just Cause’ Tenant Protections
Summary
Tom Proctor of Rights and Democracy told the House Committee on General and Housing that municipal voters have repeatedly approved just-cause eviction measures and that statewide law should follow to curb homelessness and stabilize rentals.
Tom Proctor, lead organizer for Rights and Democracy, told the House Committee on General and Housing on Jan. 30 that Vermont should adopt a statewide “just cause” eviction law to protect tenants from no‑cause evictions and help curb homelessness.
Proctor summarized municipal ballot wins and policy elements from seven states with comparable laws, and urged the committee to use those measures as a template for statewide protections. “Safe, reliable, secure shelter is the most basic need for people to survive and thrive,” Proctor said in his testimony.
Why it matters: Proctor said municipal voters in several Vermont cities have approved charter measures that restrict no‑cause evictions and provide tenant protections, and he argued a statewide law would extend those protections and reduce homelessness, stabilize neighborhoods and help retain workers. He cited ballot approvals in Burlington (passed, 63%), Winooski (passed, 73%) and Essex (passed, 61%), and said Montpelier also passed similar…
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