HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC CC 12.2.25Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Tenant Right to Counsel
Today’s presentation
1) Recap work session
2) Engagement
3) Resolution
4) Ordinance
5) Next steps
Work Session Recap
•Tenant Right to Counsel
•What are the legal abilities and legal
limitations of the City under when
considering programs
•Other types of programs focused on
eviction prevention
•Eviction numbers in Bozeman
Work Session Recap
•Primary goals of the program
Eviction prevention
Housing stability
•Scope of participant eligibility
Broad
•Scope of representation
Broad
Engagement
Focused on moving the discussion away
from “IF” to “HOW”
•Justice Court
•National advocate
•Attorney for tenants
•Attorney for landlords
•Civil mediators
•Landlord roundtable
•Tenant roundtable
Housing stability
Commission Resolution
•Memorializes the policy position of the City Commission and directs action as
it relates to the implementation of the housing stability programs
•Controlling document – will guide program and contracting documents
•Provides additional detail on TRC and Mediation programs
•Education and Data Collection
Ordinance
•Purpose
The purpose of this division is to provide a
tenant’s right to counsel program and a
landlord/tenant mediation program to support
housing stability for residents and property owners
•General
•Definitions
•City Manager responsible to implement programs
Ordinance cont.
Provision of legal services – Tenant Right to Counsel
•Establishes program to provide legal services for
tenants in covered proceedings subject to appropriated
funds
•Open to any tenant in city with a written lease
agreement
•Representation available with or without action for
possession pending
•Affirmative litigation possible
•Prioritize mediation when practical
Ordinance Cont.
Mediation
•Open to all landlords and tenants with written rental
agreements for residential properties at no charge to
either party and may be initiated by either party
•Open to voluntary mediation and court ordered
mediation
•Confidential
Public Comment
Since work session in May, the City has
received 40 written public comments
Next Steps
•RFPs for procurement of services to fulfill and deliver program
goals and objectives
•Selection process
•Program implementation
Recommended Motion Language
I move to adopt a Resolution of the City Commission Adopting
Commission Goals for a Tenant’s Right to Counsel Program and a
Landlord/Tenant Mediation Program
I move to provisionally adopt an Ordinance of the City Commission
Adopting a Tenant Right to Civil Counsel and Landlord/Tenant
Mediation Program
Housing stability