Community Partner: Public Justice Center Intern: Hana Clemens Site Supervisor: Matt Hill
What is the Public Justice Center? PJC works with people and communities to confront the laws, practices, and institutions that cause injustice, poverty, and discrimination. We advocate in the courts, legislatures, and government agencies, educate the public, and build coalitions, all to advance our mission of“ pursuing systemic change to build a just society.”
This summer at the Public Justice Center, I really delved into the excellent work being done here. From client interaction to legislative research, I was able to examine the housing and rent court system in place in Baltimore and how PJC plays a small part in improving it. I was able to learn specific details about housing law and how tenants can use it to defend themselves against exploitative landlords. I have also played a role in the city ' s 20 / 20 campaign, which is made up of a coalition of organizations called the Housing Round Table that is working to get public dollars invested in creating community land trusts throughout the city. I have a strong passion for housing policy and how we can use the law to help defend low‐income renters from eviction and living in uninhabitable conditions. This internship has made me more excited about promoting fair development in the future and helping to enforce the human right to safe and affordable housing in Baltimore City. ‐ Hana
Tasks:
• Obtained legal advice for renters with landlord‐tenant issues
• Aided attorneys in advising clients at Rent Court
• Researched the different eviction processes across states to support PJC ' s Rent Court reform legislation in Balt
• Researched how the city uses general obligation bonds for economic and community development, in order to more funding going towards sustainable development and community land trusts.
• Created and promoted an accessible brochure about the Renter ' s Tax Credit for low‐income renters in Maryla
• Petitioned to get 10,000 signatures by August 8 for an Affordable Housing Trust Fund charter amendment on t 2016 ballot