Stout recently conducted a study regarding the costs and benefits to the City of Baltimore (and to the State of Maryland) if it were to provide attorneys to low-income tenants facing eviction.

The Stout report, funded by a grant from the Abell Foundation, shows that guaranteeing a right to counsel in eviction cases will not only level the imbalance of power between landlords and tenants, but it will also ensure many families can stay in their homes and save the city money over time.

The report concludes that an annual investment of $5.7 million in a right to counsel for Baltimore tenants facing eviction would yield $35.6 million in benefits or costs avoided to the city and state.

Stout conducted a similar analysis for New York and Philadelphia.