Evictions Surge in Major Cities in the American Sunbelt

The American Sunbelt is experiencing a dramatic surge in evictions, with major cities like Phoenix, Houston, and Dallas seeing significant increases in eviction filings. This rise is attributed to skyrocketing housing costs and stagnant wages, exacerbated by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Phoenix, the situation is particularly dire. Constable Lennie McCloskey, who oversees evictions in Maricopa County, reports handling between 19 and 25 evictions daily. This surge is a stark contrast to the pre-pandemic period when Phoenix was known for its relatively affordable housing. Glenn Farley of the Common Sense Institute notes that the cost of living in Phoenix has drastically increased, making it challenging for average workers to keep up with rent and mortgage payments​​.

“Eviction filings over the past year in a half-dozen cities and surrounding metropolitan areas are up 35% or more compared with pre-2020 norms”

Cc: @VladTheInflator @TravisREMindset@DiMartinoBooth https://t.co/lpfx9LCCjA

— Melody Wright (@m3_melody) July 15, 2024

Similarly, Houston has seen a 50% increase in eviction filings compared to pre-pandemic levels. This rise is partly due to the expiration of eviction moratoriums and the end of various pandemic-related rental assistance programs. The Eviction Lab at Princeton University reports that Houston landlords filed over 82,000 eviction cases in 2023, highlighting the city's struggle with housing affordability​​.

Dallas is also facing a surge in evictions. The city's landlords filed more than 38,000 eviction cases in the past year, with many tenants unable to keep up with rising rents. Despite efforts to introduce eviction diversion programs and legal aid for tenants, many still find themselves without adequate support, leading to an increase in homelessness and housing instability​​.

Evictions surge in Phoenix as rent increases prompt housing crisis https://t.co/BqSS7THr60

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) July 14, 2024

The demographics of those facing eviction are concerning. Black and Latino tenants are disproportionately affected, with Black women being evicted at nearly twice the rate of their white counterparts. This disparity highlights the ongoing racial and economic inequalities within the housing market​.

Several cities have attempted to address the eviction crisis through policy changes. For instance, New York City and San Francisco have established "right to counsel" programs that provide legal representation to tenants facing eviction. These programs have shown success, with 84% of represented tenants in New York City managing to stay in their homes​​.However, the infrastructure behind these programs is still developing, and there is a shortage of defense attorneys for tenants nationwide. Moreover, enforcement of new renter protections remains inconsistent, further complicating efforts to mitigate the eviction crisis​ ​.

The economic pressures driving the surge in evictions are multifaceted. While wages have increased by 20% to 30% in some areas, inflation and rising housing costs have outpaced these gains. In Maricopa County, for example, the cost of living has risen so significantly that a person working a typical 40-hour week in 2019 would now need to work 68 hours to afford the same standard of living​.

As the November presidential election approaches, housing affordability and evictions are likely to be pivotal issues, especially in battleground states like Arizona. With a significant portion of the electorate affected by these issues, candidates will need to address the housing crisis and propose viable solutions to prevent further displacement of American families​.