(Mother Jones)
New York’s Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would prevent landlords from evicting tenants who call the police for help with domestic violence and other crimes or emergencies, something that happens in states across the country because of little-known laws known as nuisance ordinances.
“Survivors of domestic violence should not have to fear that calling 911 will put them at risk of losing their home,” Democratic state Sen. Brad Hoylman, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement. “Using nuisance laws to punish domestic violence survivors is callous and misguided.”
Nuisance ordinances are enacted by local governments, often with the goal of making landlords more responsible for illegal activity that happens on their property. While policies vary from place to place, they often allow cities to fine or jail landlords if their tenants call 911 too many times over a certain period of time for alleged problems, even if they’re calling because they’re a victim of crime. Rather than face a fine, many landlords instead evict their tenants. Read more
Comments