Residents urge Douglas County to adopt tenant right-to-counsel at Sept. work session

Multiple members of the tenant advocacy group Lawrence Tenants urged the Douglas County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 20 to adopt a tenant right-to-counsel program that would provide lawyers to renters facing eviction. Speakers said the program would reduce illegal evictions, improve public health outcomes for children and families, and save public dollars by preventing homelessness.

“From the moment a tenant receives a 3-day notice on their door, they could be out of their house within two weeks,” said Matt Dickey, member, Lawrence Tenants. “We need to protect this basic human necessity, and that right begins with adequate legal representation for tenants in eviction court.”

Advocates told commissioners the proposal would implement a local version of a civil right-to-counsel in eviction cases. Cornelius Baker, member, Lawrence…