Racine, WI — Today, ER Nurse Mitchell Berman expressed his support for a Student Renters Bill of Rights in Wisconsin. 

The first in his family to graduate college, Berman worked three jobs and took out student loans to earn his degree. He knows firsthand how young people are getting crushed by out-of-control rents and housing costs – a problem that politicians in Washington have made worse.

“We are in a housing crisis, and students face some of the greatest hurdles in finding affordable, stable housing each academic year,” said Berman. “Every student who attends college in Wisconsin should be able to afford to live here without the stress of having to find a landlord that won’t take advantage of them.”

“This is a crisis that Congressman Bryan Steil has only exacerbated, with his votes for reckless tariffs that are raising the prices of everyday goods, his willingness to cut federal student loan forgiveness, and his support for a war in Iran that is driving up gas and grocery prices,” said Berman.

“We need to do a better job of protecting student renters. At the state level, that means allowing municipalities to cap rent hikes and creating a Student Renters Bill of Rights, one that includes safeguards for campus housing, longer notices for evictions, an end to junk fees and rent-fixing software, and protections against landlords who pressure students into signing leases in the fall for the next school year.”

“But we also need leaders at the federal level who will put students and renters ahead of billionaires, big corporations, and powerful special interests,” said Berman. “In Congress, I’ll work to find new ways to lower housing costs, open up pathways to affordable homeownership, and protect tenants with stronger non-discrimination protections, like those in the Fair Housing Act.”

The statement comes as Berman meets with students on college campuses across Wisconsin’s First Congressional District, including the University of Wisconsin Whitewater and Carthage College. With less than 20 days until the general election, Berman’s campaign continues to gain momentum. A recent House Majority PAC showed Berman leading Steil by one point (48-47). This poll comes after two other public polls that both show the race within one point. Wisconsin’s first district is now seen as one of the most competitive House races in the country. Last month, the DCCC added Berman to its competitive “Red to Blue” list.