All about Toledo's right to counsel for tenants facing eviction
04/15/2022, Legislation, Housing - Evictions
UPDATE: early data shows success of right to counsel program
An article in The Toledo Blade reports on some of the early data from Toledo's program to provide a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction. Prior to the implementation of a right to counsel, a study by the Blade had found that 79% of landlords in Toledo have counsel, compared to 2% of tenants. While the data set from the right to counsel is small at this stage, 38% of represented were able to remain in their homes, 44% were able to negotiate a reasonable move-out date and more than half of the cases have been dismissed.
Background
The Toledo City Council has enacted a tenant right to counsel ordinance that guarantees counsel for all tenants facing eviction who are at 200% or below of the federal poverty level. The law is to be phased in over 5 years and staffed by Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and will be funded by $250k/year in American Rescue Plan Act funding. The news was reported in the Toledo Blade.
Appointment of Counsel:
categorical
Qualified:
yes
![]() |
The NCCRC submitted supportive testimony, met with advocates and city leaders, and worked with advocates on the bill language. |