Family Quote by Matthew Desmond
““90 percent of landlords are represented by attorneys, and 90 percent of tenants are not.35 Low-income families on the edge of eviction have no right to counsel. But when tenants have lawyers, their chances of keeping their homes increase dramatically.36 Establishing publicly funded legal services for low-income families in housing court would be a cost-effective measure that would prevent homelessness, decrease evictions, and give poor families a fair shake. In””
About This Quote
Source Book: Evicted by Matthew Desmond, 2016
Legal representation dramatically improves tenants' chances of staying housed, especially for low‑income families facing eviction.
In simple terms: Tenants with lawyers are more likely to keep their homes.
Key Takeaway
Provide public counsel to prevent homelessness.
Themes
housing justice
legal aid
economic inequality
eviction prevention
public policy
Mood
concerned
determined
advocacy
Type
policy
social justice
informative
When to use this quote
- court hearings
- tenant‑landlord disputes
- policy advocacy
- community legal clinics
Key Concepts
Access to justice
rights of the poor
cost‑benefit analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How can public funding be sustained for legal aid?
- What barriers prevent tenants from accessing counsel?
A Different Perspective
Funding constraints may limit service reach.
