Advocate urges Cleveland to adopt 'Housing Accountability Framework' to protect tenants

Bridgette Smith Jackson told Cleveland City Council on April 13 that unsafe housing and landlord retaliation are systemic problems across Greater Cleveland and asked the council to introduce the Cordell Sheffield Housing Accountability Framework to protect tenants.

Smith Jackson laid out components she said are necessary: legally enforceable anti‑retaliation protections for tenants, a confidential third‑party reporting system, mandatory public reporting of inspection findings/violations and corrections, automatic audits for repeat offenders and the loss of subsidy eligibility for noncompliant owners and managers. "If telling the truth can cost them their housing, it is a power, and power, when left unchecked, becomes a harm," she said.

Why it matters: Testimony described tenants who faced inaccessible common areas, damaged personal property, unaddressed maintenance and fear of retaliation. Smith Jackson said tenants often lack clear recourse and that transparency and consequences for repeat offenders would reduce harm.

Council context: Councilmembers and staff acknowledged the housing concerns during introductions and later remarks that described monthly HUD 'troubled asset' roundtables and coordination among building, housing and law departments. No ordinance text for the Cordell Sheffield framework was introduced during the meeting.

Next steps: Smith Jackson formally called for introduction of the framework; the transcript shows council members affirming coordination and existing roundtables, but no motion or committee referral on April 13 was recorded.