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24A Guide to Proactive Rental Inspection Programschangelabsolutions.org <br />For example, there are over 20 hoarding task forces across the state of Massachusetts, <br />organized by a range of agencies, including county health departments, senior services <br />agencies, housing authorities, local governments, and housing nonprofits. These <br />task forces are supported by a Statewide Steering Committee on Hoarding (SSCH), <br />facilitated by MassHousing, a housing nonprofit. The SSCH was created to bring together <br />professionals from different sectors to address the complex psychological and policy <br />issues associated with hoarding. To date, the SSCH has conducted trainings for over <br />2,000 people, and has developed a risk assessment tool.174, 175 <br />Overcrowding: Overcrowding of units, especially in localities with expensive or tight <br />housing markets, is another challenge for PRI programs. Low-income residents may have <br />few alternatives to shared housing.176, 177 However, where inspectors find that occupancy <br />levels violate applicable codes, tenants may be displaced. <br />Rent Increases <br />When property owners make substantial repairs to a rental unit, they may pass the <br />cost of repairs along to tenants in the form of significant rent increases. However, by <br />identifying conditions early, periodic rental inspection programs may also help limit the <br />cost of deferred maintenance. In addition, some states have laws that prevent landlords <br />from collecting rents if a municipal inspection has identified violations and repairs remain <br />outstanding after a reasonable time.178 <br /> Practice Tip <br />As localities aim to improve the health <br />of families and communities through <br />code enforcement, it is critical that <br />they consider and address any <br />potential for displacement, to ensure <br />that health gains through better <br />housing conditions are not paired with <br />health losses through displacement. <br />DISPLACEMENT AND HEALTH <br />Like substandard conditions, <br />housing instability, displacement, <br />and homelessness have significant, <br />negative impacts on health. Children <br />and adults who experience housing <br />instability and homelessness are at <br />greater risk for poor health than those <br />in stable housing.172 Stable housing <br />can improve mental health outcomes <br />for residents, reduce stress-related <br />health outcomes, and provide a stable <br />foundation for accessing other critical <br />social and health services.173