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Lawrence Tenants asks for two tenant educators after pilot outreach reached hundreds
Summary
Lawrence Tenants proposed funding two full‑time tenant educators and materials to increase renters’ knowledge of rights, improve enforcement of local ordinances and boost tenant engagement. The group reported early results from one educator hired April 21, who reached at least 319 people in the first quarter and helped grow volunteer engagement.
Vince Muñoz, an organizer with Lawrence Tenants, asked the board to fund two full‑time tenant educators and related materials to expand renter education and engagement.
Muñoz described Lawrence Tenants as a member‑led group working to educate renters about existing rights and advocate for additional protections. He said the group used last year’s AHAB grant to hire one educator (started April 21), which enabled six canvassing sessions, three library “know your rights” events and improved response to inbound tenant inquiries. He reported the educator reached 319 people through direct contact in the quarter and estimated up to 675 people may have seen distributed materials.
The proposal requests roughly $70,000 per educator (salary, benefits and on‑costs) plus funds for educational materials and childcare to make events accessible. Muñoz said tenant education helps enforcement of laws such as the city’s source‑of‑income ordinance, because city enforcement occurs only when tenants report suspected violations.
Board members asked whether staff time includes fundraising and sustainability planning. Muñoz said the group is pursuing private funding and grants and has a fiscal sponsor; the group had early funder conversations and small donations but no dedicated development staff yet. He said in response to questions that the organizers do some policy advocacy, including work on a possible county tenant right‑to‑counsel initiative.
