IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
210767
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS, LEWIS AND JOHNSON
Title
Resolution supporting tenant “Right to Counsel” representation for eviction proceedings in the Small Claims Court in the County of Milwaukee.
Analysis
This resolution expresses support for civil legal representation for defendants in eviction proceedings.
Body
Whereas, In 2019 there were 12,652 eviction filings in Small Claims Court that were filed against residents of the City of Milwaukee; and
Whereas, 5,333 of the 12,652 eviction filings against defendants living in the City of Milwaukee ended with an eviction judgement; and
Whereas, The impact of an eviction on a household unit has been well documented by numerous entities, including the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Wisconsin Policy Forum, and Princeton professor Matthew Desmond in his book “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” which focused on eviction in Milwaukee; and
Whereas, A record of an eviction filing or an eviction judgement can prevent a tenant from accessing stable, affordable and safe housing in the future; and
Whereas, According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, housing instability is one of the key social determinants of health; and
Whereas, Eviction or imminent threat of eviction causes housing instability; and
Whereas, Housing instability in households with children causes school instability and missed school days; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee County Small Claims Court data indicates eviction disproportionately impacts communities of color; and
Whereas; The Milwaukee County Small Claims Court data also indicates the ten neighborhoods with the highest eviction rates in the City of Milwaukee are 73 percent African American; with a 40 percent poverty rate; and
Whereas, The Supreme Court of the United States has terminated the Center for Disease Control’s eviction moratorium as of August 26, 2021; and
Wh...
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