Civil Rights ATX: Tenant Rights to Organize and Eviction Protections

Austin City Council adopted resolution number 20220203-039 on February 3, 2022 to explore tenants' rights to organize and redress grievances related to housing. The resolution highlights that tenant organizing has led to the improvement of housing conditions, lower rent, fairer community rules, and has stopped or slowed evictions and displacement. Austin City Council supports renters' rights and the freedom to assemble and ask for improved conditions and policies impacting their homes.

On February 3, 2022 Austin City Council also adopted resolution number 20220203-040 to explore providing an additional right to cure lease violations prior to eviction. The resolution highlights that half a million Austinites are renters. While rent and cost of living continues to increase affordable housing is more difficult to find and displacement and evictions are more likely to occur. Providing an opportunity to cure helps prevent eviction filings, displacement, and homelessness while still ensuring outstanding rent is paid.

Council directed the City of Austin to gain community input on these resolutions and we welcome your comments on each of theses important topics. Austin’s City Council is in the beginning stages of drafting and amending the City Code Ordinances to provide tenant protections related to tenant organizing, and eviction notices and opportunities to cure lease violations. We invite you to complete the survey questions below to help the Office of Civil Rights provide feedback from our community.