Despite the recovery from the pandemic, tenant evictions in several U.S. cities remain stubbornly high, showing little sign of returning to pre-2020 levels. In cities such as Las Vegas, Houston, and Phoenix, eviction filings have surged by 35% or more compared to pre-pandemic norms, according to data from the Eviction Lab at Princeton University.
Record High Evictions in Phoenix
Phoenix, in particular, has seen an unprecedented number of eviction notices. In January alone, landlords filed over 8,000 eviction notices—the highest ever recorded in a single month for Maricopa County. Eviction court hearings in Phoenix often last less than a minute, highlighting the expedited process. During a recent hearing, a tenant who had missed two rent payments asked the judge how long she had before she needed to move out. "It could be Tuesday," the judge responded, suggesting she negotiate with her landlord to avoid immediate eviction.
Rising Eviction Rates Across Cities
The trend extends beyond Phoenix. Over the past year, eviction notices have risen by 15% or more compared to pre-pandemic levels in 10 of the 33 cities tracked by the Eviction Lab. This includes metropolitan areas like Las Vegas and Columbus, Ohio, where the number of evictions relative to pre-COVID averages has spiked.
The Role of Rent Increases
The elevated eviction rates are closely linked to a sharp acceleration in rents. During the pandemic, pent-up demand flooded the housing market, driving up prices. Although rent increases have moderated over the past year, the Zillow Observed Rent Index indicates that asking rents for houses and apartments nationwide rose by 30% from 2020 to 2023.
Jacob Haas, a researcher at Eviction Lab, explained, "Increasing rents have made it difficult for a lot of households in many areas, and you can see that reflected in the eviction filing increases." The Sunbelt cities, including Phoenix and Las Vegas, have been particularly affected, but even cities like Minneapolis-St. Paul has seen higher eviction rates.
Automation in Evictions
Advancements in property management software have streamlined the eviction process, making it easier for landlords to file notices. This automation reduces the discretion of on-site staff to negotiate with tenants. Jyoshu Tsushima, a housing lawyer who runs a legal clinic for renters in Columbus, Ohio, noted, "These systems are removing a lot of the discretion for the on-site staff and being able to find resolutions with the tenants."
The Struggle for Renters
For many tenants, the financial strain is exacerbated by job losses or medical emergencies. With higher rents, even temporary income disruptions can lead to eviction. Approximately a quarter of renter households in America spend 50% or more of their income on housing, according to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Eviction Moratoriums and Rental Assistance
During the pandemic, eviction filings plummeted due to a moratorium imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and over $40 billion in federal rental assistance. However, with less rental assistance available today, many tenants face increased financial pressure.
Regional Variations
While some cities like New York and Philadelphia have maintained lower eviction rates due to increased tenant protections, others, particularly in the Sunbelt, continue to struggle. In Las Vegas, for example, apartment asking rents rose by 27% in 2021, and eviction filings in May were still 28% higher than pre-pandemic norms.
Political Responses and Public Fundraisers
Legislative efforts to protect renters have met mixed success. In Nevada, Democratic lawmakers have passed bills to support cash-strapped renters, but Republican Governor Joe Lombardo has vetoed many, including a measure to pause evictions for tenants applying for emergency assistance. Lombardo defended his veto, stating it was time to remove the "excuse" of relying on government aid.
The rise in evictions has also led to a surge in eviction-related fundraisers on GoFundMe, which have increased by 40% since before the pandemic. Michelle Lau, a mother of two, turned to GoFundMe to raise nearly $8,000 to pay off back rent after her husband lost his job. Their landlord, Ellen Ross, prefers working directly with tenants to avoid court proceedings. "We don’t want an eviction on our record," Lau said, expressing hope that they can avoid being forced out.
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