For the past several months, a growing coalition of tenant leaders, housing advocates, legal experts, and community leaders in Springfield has been working toward a game-changing goal: securing a Right to Counsel (RTC) for tenants facing eviction.
The problem is clear—eviction courts are fundamentally unbalanced. Across the country, landlords almost always have legal representation, while most tenants do not. Springfield is no different—70% of landlords have attorneys, while fewer than 10% of tenants do. Without a lawyer, tenants are far more likely to lose their homes, even when they have valid defenses.
The High Cost of Doing Nothing
Eviction is the leading driver of homelessness in Springfield. 40% of those evicted are children, making eviction one of the greatest risk factors for child homelessness. In 2023, 1,400 Springfield Public Schools students experienced homelessness, and the situation is worsening. Last year alone, approximately 2,400 eviction cases were filed against Springfield households, and without intervention, these numbers are expected to rise.
Springfield has the opportunity to implement a proven, cost-effective solution—but it requires prioritizing housing stability in the city’s budget. Right to Counsel programs have been shown to reduce evictions, lower homelessness rates, and ultimately save cities money. Jurisdictions that have adopted RTC have seen millions in savings on emergency shelter costs, public health services, and other downstream crisis interventions.
Numerous studies from Stout, a national research firm, show that for every dollar spent on Right to Counsel, cities save on average $3 to $6 in avoided costs associated with homelessness and emergency services.
Right to Counsel works
- Kansas City, MO: Over 80% of represented tenants stayed housed and had no eviction record.
- Toledo, OH: Over 85% of tenants who received counsel were successful in avoiding an eviction, resulting in more families with children being able to stay in their homes.
- Cleveland, OH: 93% of tenants who received RTC avoided an eviction or involuntary move, 83% secured rental assistance, 92% secured additional time to move, 94% mitigated damages and 97% secured monetary relief.
- Oklahoma & Tulsa County, OK: 94% of represented tenants prevented eviction judgements, 98% secured additional time to move and 94% prevented involuntary moves.
Springfield Can Afford This—It’s About Priorities
Springfield voters just passed two new tax measures last year and has had budget surpluses for the past several years (MJ Tax, 3/4 cent tax). Implementing RTC wouldn’t require raising taxes—it’s about whether our city is willing to prioritize poverty prevention in a community with a higher-than-average poverty rate. Instead of spending public dollars reacting to the consequences of evictions—homelessness, increased emergency service costs, and disruption to children’s education—Springfield can invest in a proactive, cost-saving measure that keeps families housed.
How We Got Here
Recognizing the urgent need for change, Empower Missouri joined forces with regional leaders and organizations, including Springfield Tenants Unite (STUN), Legal Services of Southern Missouri, the Ozarks Alliance to End Homelessness, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, and Councilman Brandon Jenson. Together, we launched a months-long effort to study Right to Counsel programs across the country, learning from national experts like the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel (NCCRC) and PolicyLink to develop a strategy tailored to Springfield’s needs.
This isn’t just about legal representation—it’s about creating a more just, stable community where families don’t lose their homes because they couldn’t afford a lawyer.
Momentum is Growing—Now Is the Time to Act
Springfield is at a crossroads. Our coalition has been working hard to push this issue into the spotlight, and tenant leaders and community partners have spoken out at town halls, met with city officials, and gained significant press coverage:
- Ozarks First: Tenants rally at a town hall to support RTC
- KY3: A look at how RTC could change eviction proceedings in Springfield
- Springfield Citizen: Springfield City Council takes a closer look at RTC
But we can’t stop here. We need the broader community to step up and demand that our city make housing stability a real priority.
What’s Next? How You Can Help
Sign on to support Right to Counsel in Springfield: Bit.ly/RTCforSpringfield
Share your eviction story to help show why RTC matters: Bit.ly/417EvictionStory
Right to Counsel is one of the smartest, most cost-effective solutions available to prevent evictions and homelessness. It won’t solve every problem, but it’s a critical piece of a larger strategy to support families, strengthen communities, and reduce poverty in Springfield.
Springfield tenants deserve a fair shot in housing court. No one should lose their home simply because they can’t afford a lawyer. Let’s make RTC a reality.
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