My family and I are victims of malicious illegal practices perpetrated by landlords. We’ve been forced to live in rat-infested spaces, enduring holes in the walls and the nauseating smell of dead rodents. When a judge finally ordered us to leave, our landlord falsely inflated charges on my credit. This disastrous event prevented us from renting or buying decent housing, plunging us deeper into poverty. It’s a clear illustration of systemic racism—how corporations exploit unjustifiable rate hikes to keep certain communities underprivileged. These unfortunate events are number one factors in the expansion of homelessness within Black communities. 

This is not a solitary story but an atrocious norm in the United States. According to Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies, nearly half of US renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, leading them vulnerable to evictions and predatory practices (Harvard JCHS, 2020). A national study demonstrated that Black households are more significantly subjected to such malpractices, evident in their substantially higher eviction rates (The Eviction Lab, Princeton University, 2017).

Laws should protect us, not shield those exploiting us. We insist that the Congress enact stricter laws to protect renters from deceitful practices by landlords. We demand a review of tenants' rights and legal protection against false reporting on credit reports. This petition is not just for my family’s struggle, but for all families nationwide facing similar hardships. Stand with us. Sign the petition. Let's put an end to these predatory practices and ensure safe and stable accommodations for all.