Baltimore renters would have the right to counsel in eviction cases under a bill introduced last night by City Council President Brandon Scott, who said his goal is to keep people from homelessness and balance the landlord-tenant power dynamic.

The bill follows an Abell Foundation-funded study that asserted that Baltimore could save more than $35 million in homeless and foster services, emergency room visits and other costs by spending just $5.7 million on legal help for renters.

The study found almost all landlords – 96% of them – were represented by a lawyer in court, but just 1% of tenants had representation.

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