Legislative Advocacy
CASLS advocates for state legislation that protects renters from unfair housing costs. We are working to pass comprehensive legislation that would limit or prohibit many common "junk fees" charged by landlords, including late fees, lease renewal fees, holdover fees, and attorney's fees.
The proposed legislation would also:
- Prevent landlords from increasing security deposits during a tenancy.
- Prohibit treating non-rent charges as rent.
- Require landlords to offer at least one free way for tenants to pay rent.
Impact Litigation
CASLS serves as co-counsel in two federal class action lawsuits challenging the practices of two national landlords. These cases seek to stop landlords from adding substantial attorney's fees to tenants' rent ledgers without a court judgment or judicial oversight, helping protect tenants from unfair and unlawful housing charges.
Supporting Tenant Organizations
CASLS partners with tenant organizations to help protect residents' rights, strengthen affordable housing, and ensure that tenants have a voice in decisions that affect their communities.
ACT is a democratically elected city-wide group representing over 5,000 public housing and voucher tenants of the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA). ACT represents both federal and state tenants in both public housing and voucher programs and is the only such group in the country that plays this role.
As one of a few housing authorities across the country that was first selected to participate in a demonstration project called “Moving to Work,” the CHA is free from most federal regulations and is able to develop its own policies affecting all aspects of federal public housing and Section 8 programs, as well as create new and innovative housing programs.
CASLS provides advice and training to ACT members including those staffing the ACT office. CASLS also represents ACT on commenting on CHA’s proposed policy changes (and implementation) and in seeking additional changes. Recently, this has included the overhaul of the Section 8 Administrative Plan and creation of a municipal voucher program. Currently, CASLS is working with ACT on the CHA’s plans to overhaul its public housing lease.
MTA represents approximately 450 state and federal public housing households in adjacent developments. After helping rejuvenate the MTA, CASLS continues to represent this tenant organization each fall (and throughout the year) to comment on the SHA’s proposed changes to various policy documents that affect public housing and Section 8 tenants’ lives. CASLS also works with and provides support to local tenant organizations in the elderly/disabled housing in Somerville.
CASLS is representing Belmont and Somerville state public housing tenant organizations on behalf of tenants whose housing was (or will be) demolished and rebuilt. Our work involves negotiating fair relocation rights and procedures, as well as tenant and applicant rights, in the new buildings.
Leadership in Coalitions and Advisory Groups
CASLS attorneys work alongside community organizations, advocates, and government leaders to improve housing policy, strengthen public benefits programs, and expand access to justice for low-income individuals and families. Our staff serves in leadership and advisory roles with organizations and committees, including:
- Local Housing and Benefits Coalition – Co-chair of a coalition which meets monthly to address housing and public benefits issues.
- Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance’s Advisory Board for the Chelsea Office – An attorney at CASLS was appointed to sit on a local advisory board that makes policy recommendations regarding the delivery of Transitional Assistance to Families and Dependent Children (TAFDC), SNAP/Food Stamps and other critical benefits.
- Housing Preservation Advisory Group – Collaborates on strategies to preserve and expand affordable housing opportunities.
- Supreme Judicial Court Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure – Contributes to the review and development of Massachusetts civil procedure rules.
- Statewide Housing Coalitions – Works with partners across Massachusetts on initiatives related to public housing, eviction record sealing, and preserving naturally occurring affordable housing.