Renters Rights

Arkansas officials said Wednesday that they have extended into next year the deadline for applying for rental relief after little of the state's share of the federal funds for the program had been spent.

Arkansas could lose over $100 million in federal aid for renters. On Monday, the state was identified as having one of the lowest disbursement rates for funding provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Emergency Rental Assistance program.

A bill that establishes statewide minimum housing standards for rented properties in Arkansas is one vote away from going to the governor’s desk.

A bill that would remove Arkansas’ unique statute allowing tenants to face criminal charges for not paying rent has failed in the state legislature.

During a news conference Thursday, the Democratic Party of Arkansas, alongside Young Democrats of Arkansas and Arkansas Renters United, announced a new hotline aimed at addressing evictions and providing information on the federal eviction moratorium that is still in effect.

Arkansas lawmakers return back to work to finish out the legislative session. The will consider various bills, including an end to the public health emergency and establishing statewide standards of habitability for renters.

A bill that would establish statewide housing standards for rented properties in Arkansas passed its first legislative hurdle on Wednesday.

State Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould, has introduced a bill that would create minimum housing standards for renters and clear up confusion on the state’s eviction process. Comments from Lynn Foster, professor emerita, University of Arkansas William H. Bowen School of Law.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a nationwide moratorium on evictions due to the COVID-19 crisis, but the protections aren't automatic. Comments from Neil Sealy, executive director, Arkansas Renters United and Arkansas Community Organizations; and Lynn Foster, professor of law emeritus, William H. Bowen School of Law, University of Arkansas at Little Rock.