Rental inspections are vital in ensuring that renters have access to safe, healthy housing. Proactive rental inspection (PRI) programs — which mandate periodic preventive checks of homes rather than waiting for tenant complaints — offer a promising health equity–focused approach to increasing compliance with housing standards. PRI programs aim to maintain safe homes; protect tenants from eviction or retaliation; and foster collaboration between local governments, housing advocates, and landlords to maintain housing quality and affordability.
ChangeLab Solutions created a guide and a model ordinance to help local governments develop PRI rules, customize their program, promote cooperative compliance rather than a punitive approach, and address equitable enforcement issues. These resources were informed by interviews with people across the country who work in organizations related to housing stability.
These resources were recently featured by Housing Matters, an initiative of the Urban Institute. Read the full write-up on their website to learn more.
10/12/2023