Tenant Access to Justice Reform Act

Inadequate housing and unsafe living conditions impact both the physical and psychological development of children and their ability to learn and grow. Of particular concern are mold, cockroaches and rodent infestations, which exacerbate asthma - already an epidemic for DC children. Currently, there is no simple and easy way for tenants in DC to get redress for landlord-tenant issues, including these important health and safety concerns. While tenants can report these issues to the city, landlords often do not fix the problems.

On November 30, 2009, Children's Law Center testified before the DC Council Committee on Housing and Workforce Development in support of the Tenant Access to Justice Reform Act of 2009. This bill will give tenants access to landlord-tenant court, allowing them to sue when they are forced to live in unsafe and unhealthy housing conditions - ultimately leading to healthier children. The Children's National Medical Center, which collaborates with us to form the CLC Health Access Project to win legal and administrative battles necessary to improve children's health, also testified in support of this bill.

Click here to read CLC's testimony.

Click here to read the Children's National Medical Center's testimony.