Is It Time For Pro-Tenant Policy? 👀

Yes.

We need stronger tenant protections.

Period.

And as we increase construction of housing, tenant protections become more and more important.

That’s why we partnered with Hawai‘i YIMBY on this op-ed in Civil Beat calling for more attention to pro-tenant policy:

“We must find a way for expanded housing development and stronger tenant protections to coexist.

The voices demanding displacement protections, both elected officials and tenant advocates, have largely focused their demands on developers.

In a state with deeply progressive values, why are we content to push responsibility for vital social safety net protections onto private industry?

It’s time for our state and local government to step up.

We are heartened by the governor’s bold action on housing.

Our mayors, state legislators, and county council members need to match it with bold action to protect vulnerable renters from the harms of displacement.

It’s a hole in our social safety net we have long neglected patching, and one that will become more important as we build much-needed housing at a faster pace.

If we don’t act, we will face more outcries from residents displaced by infill development and failed by our lack of government protection — and rightly so.

This won’t just harm displaced tenants, it will slow the process of plugging the gap in our housing supply.

No one should face homelessness because the cost of housing is too high.

And no one should face homelessness because they’ve been evicted and can’t find a new place to live.

It’s our kuleana to build toward that vision of a better Hawaii.”

Read the rest here.