Letters: Urge Indiana lawmakers to improve habitability standards

Urge legislators to improve habitability standards

Unfortunately, too many Hoosier families now live in unsafe, unsecure housing. Habitability standards are the minimum requirements for a property to be fit for human habitation. Landlords must keep basic necessities in working in order so that occupants can be safe and secure.

Unfortunately, Indiana is one of only six states not allowing tenants to withhold rent when essential habitability services are not maintained. In our current legislative session, several bills to strengthen habitability standards were proposed. These included SB 277 by Sen. Greg Walker and SB 233 by Sen. Ron Atling. These bills were blocked from hearings by chairpersons Jim Buck and Liz Brown.

Sens. Buck and Brown have received large campaign contributions from the Indiana Multi Family Housing PAC, representing large corporate landlords. This PAC has a history of enriching landlords at the expense of Hoosier renters.

Now is the time for lawmakers to put the health and well being of hundreds of thousands of Hoosier over corporate profits. Call your Indiana House representative and your senator today and demand that they fight for robust, enforceable habitability standards for all Hoosier families!

Dennis Davoren, Bloomington