Tenant Protections Can Fuel Family Upward Mobility and Community Stability

Many communities across the country want to help residents exit poverty and achieve economic success. The Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Initiative is helping local leaders build systems that advance upward mobility and racial equity. One critical predictor of economic and social success under the initiative’s Upward Mobility Framework is housing stability. To bolster their residents’ housing stability, many cities and counties passed innovative tenant protections (PDF) during the COVID-19 pandemic, some of which have been halted or lost funding. 

With many households still at risk of eviction and housing instability (PDF), what do local policymakers need to know about how tenant protections support upward mobility? And what are cities doing to leverage housing policy for residents’ benefit?

What are tenant protections, and how do they support upward mobility?

Tenant protections include policies and programs designed to ensure renters have access to safe and habitable living conditions, fair treatment from landlords, and protection against unnecessary evictions. These measures vary substantially and can include policies such as antidiscrimination laws, right to counsel provisions, timely repair requirements, and financial safeguards. 

Tenant protections aim to support and promote stability for all renters, but they may play a particularly important role for renters at higher risk of eviction or housing instability. This includes households with lower incomes, and Black, Latinx, and Indigenous renters, who face increased risks stemming from ongoing and historical barriers such as income inequality and redlining. These systemic issues have resulted in higher eviction rates and lower homeownership rates.

The Upward Mobility Framework equips communities with evidence to help them advance upward mobility and equity. Created to help local leaders understand mobility and what it takes to ensure all residents can thrive, this framework is centered on a three-part definition of economic and social mobility—dignity and belonging, economic success, and power and autonomy. Building on these, it provides pathways for communities to help residents reach long-term prosperity. The framework includes 24 predictors local leaders can use to measure and track progress toward upward mobility. Tenant protections contribute significantly to several of these key areas, in particular housing affordability, housing stability, economic inclusion, social capital, and environmental quality:

• Housing affordability and stability require providing economically viable and stable living conditions that support educational and career advancement. When families are secure in their homes, they can focus on long-term goals without the constant threat of displacement.
• Economic inclusion makes affordable housing more accessible and allows people to allocate more of their income toward essential needs like education and health care, leading to better financial health and growth opportunities.
• Social capital creates strong tenant protections to help build and maintain community ties and networks, providing crucial support systems and fostering a sense of belonging.
• Protecting environmental quality through tenant protections help ensure safe, well-maintained housing by enforcing standards for repairs, hazard prevention, and basic utilities. These safeguards improve living conditions, reduce health risks, and support long-term stability, allowing residents to focus on their well-being and economic growth without the burden of unsafe environments. 

Tenant protections aren’t just about keeping a roof over one’s head; they’re about creating a stable foundation for individuals and families to thrive, which leads to upward mobility and better outcomes for households and communities.

What are cities doing to protect tenants?

Two communities involved in Urban’s Mobility Learning Action Network—Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Kansas City, Missouri—are using innovative approaches to tenant protections. 

ImpactTulsa 

Tulsa has one of the highest eviction rates in the country, with more than 14,000 cases filed each year and 7,000 granted. In response, ImpactTulsa, a collective impact organization, has adopted a “cradle to career” approach to promote tenant rights under the Child Equity Index, led by Delia Kimbrel, ImpactTulsa’s head of research and data strategy. This multi-partner initiative includes an alert system that links court records of evictions with school data to address the city’s high eviction rates and school absenteeism. ImpactTulsa and its rich network of housing advocates, district staff, and student-family support partners developed the system after discovering that their local maps of absenteeism data and eviction data were nearly identical.

The alert system uses eviction filing court records to identify student addresses. When a match is found, a notification is sent to the school’s homelessness prevention counselor. This proactive measure aims to provide timely support to affected students, ensuring they receive the necessary resources to maintain their education and stability despite housing challenges. 

The student eviction alert surfaced awareness about the scale and scope of an eviction’s impact on students and their academic success. The alert has generated momentum in Tulsa for strategic action in the following areas: collocated housing stabilization and eviction prevention resources in proximity to schools, state policy action to increase tenant notification laws and extend eviction timelines, and the need for a citywide right to counsel ordinance that would provide access to legal representation to residents living in Tulsa. 

Kansas City, Missouri

Approximately 46 percent of Kansas City’s residents are renters, with nearly half spending more than a third of their income on housing. To protect these renters, Kansas City, with the leadership of Third District Councilwoman Melissa Robinson, has taken significant steps to promote tenant rights through community-led policy initiatives. One of the key organizations driving this change is KC Tenants, a citywide tenant union led by a multigenerational, multiracial, antiracist base of poor and working-class tenants. KC Tenants organizes to ensure everyone in Kansas City has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home.

Among the city’s notable initiatives is the Healthy Homes Rental Inspection Program, which aims to ensure rental properties meet basic health and safety standards. This ordinance requires landlords to register their properties and undergo regular inspections to address issues such as mold, pests, and structural problems.

Additionally, Kansas City has established a Tenant Bill of Rights (PDF), which outlines essential protections for renters, including the right to safe and habitable housing, protection against discrimination, and the right to organize. This comprehensive document serves as a cornerstone for tenant advocacy and education.

The city has also created an Office of Tenant Advocacy, which provides resources and support for tenants facing housing issues. This office helps tenants navigate legal challenges, access emergency assistance, and understand their rights under local and state laws. Since the implementation of the right to counsel program, 1,941 tenants have exercised their right to legal representation, with 86 percent avoiding eviction.

These combined efforts reflect Kansas City’s commitment to fostering a fair and equitable housing market, ensuring all residents can live in safe and stable homes.

Tenant protections are essential for creating stable, equitable communities where individuals and families can thrive. By addressing systemic barriers and providing crucial support, cities like Tulsa and Kansas City are making significant strides in promoting upward mobility and racial equity for their residents. These efforts not only ensure safe and habitable living conditions but also foster economic inclusion and strengthen social capital. As more cities adopt similar approaches, the benefits for underserved communities will grow, paving the way for a more just and inclusive society.