Nancy Emery

I am deeply concerned about House Bill 1336, which will expand how much landlords can require as security deposits from certain applicants. Under this bill, landlords would be permitted to collect a security deposit of up to two months’ rent from applicants who do not meettheir standard approval criteria. These criteria can include factors such as credit score, income level, past eviction history, or lack of rental history – the latter being especially troublesome for families just starting out or transitioning from temporary or doubled up housing. As a longtime coordinator for Family Promise of Greater Concord, I understand that this additional cost at at time when our guest families currently experiencing homelessness already face the challenges of decreased availability of rental units, and the rising costs of food, utilities and transportation, raise the barrier parents face even as they are striving to rebuild credit, stabilize their income and find a place to make a home for their children. Please oppose HB 1336 and consider its impact on vulnerable families, especially those with children, who are already struggling to afford a place to live. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Nancy Emery