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Committee extends MTO walk‑in pilot, approves renewal of landlord‑tenant services contract
Summary
The committee voted to continue a Metropolitan Tenants Organization (MTO) walk‑in pilot with more consistent library hours and some evening sessions and approved a 2026 renewal contract (up to $91,600) to continue hotline, trainings and optional services including a chatbot and walk‑in hours.
The Housing and Community Development Committee voted Oct. 21 to continue a Metropolitan Tenants Organization (MTO) pilot for landlord‑tenant walk‑in hours, with staff guidance to focus sessions at the Evanston Public Library and to test some evening hours. The committee also approved a renewal contract for MTO and the Law Center for Better Housing covering Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026 with a not‑to‑exceed amount included in the packet of $91,600.
Philip Devon, staff attorney with MTO, told the committee he did not staff the prior walk‑in sessions but said MTO would work with staff to adjust location and hours. City staff noted the recent extension produced lower turnout than the first pilot: in the latest round there were five sessions with 8 Evanston attendees and 11 total attendees; the earlier pilot produced 26 total attendees with 7 Evanston attendees across six sessions (one webinar on the RLTO update produced larger attendance).
Council members and staff agreed keeping a stable location—particularly the library, which has effective outreach—would improve awareness and attendance. Council member Ailes and others suggested trying one or two later evening sessions (for example, 6:30–8 p.m.) and using online appointment scheduling tools to make sessions easier to reserve. Committee members also asked staff to work with partner organizations (Open Communities, Connections for the Homeless) to increase outreach.
On the contract renewal, staff outlined the basic scope (hotline, trainings, and routine services) and optional additional services (mediation, tenant organizing, limited legal representation via partner Law Center for Better Housing, and a customer‑facing chatbot/web application). Staff said the contract ceiling ($91,600) is an upper bound and historically billing has been below the maximum; the web‑chat is a one‑time implementation cost in the optional services.
The committee voted to continue the pilot through the end of the year with a monthly frequency and to approve the 2026 renewal contract. Council members praised MTO as an important resident resource: one council member said, “If people have issues and they don't know where to turn, call MTO. They’ll help you out.” MTO will provide twice‑yearly usage reports; staff said an updated report will come in January.
Votes: the committee approved continuing the pilot (direction to focus on library and to pilot evening hours) and approved the 2026 contract renewal with MTO and partner legal services.
