Eviction Rates in the U.S.: The Critical Link Between Housing Costs and Displacement

Rising housing costs are directly increasing eviction rates across the United States, with low-income and immigrant communities disproportionately affected. An analysis of over six million eviction records reveals that a higher median rent-to-income ratio is a primary predictor of eviction frequency. In metros where the portion of income spent on rent increased by an average of 5.8% from 2011 to 2014, evictions rose by 3.8%. Addressing this crisis requires targeted solutions, from increasing housing supply in costly coastal cities to expanding rental assistance programs in regions with stagnant wages.

What is the Main Driver of Higher Eviction Rates?

The primary driver of evictions is the growing housing cost burden, which occurs when a household spends a high percentage of its income on housing. According to U.S. Census data, more than 20 million renters were cost-burdened as of 2015, meaning they spent at least 30% of their income on rent. When housing costs rise faster than incomes, as they did between 2011 and 2016 (sale prices up 48.6%, rents up 19.4%), the financial strain on renters intensifies. Our analysis confirms that neighborhoods with the highest median rent-to-income ratios experience significantly higher eviction rates. For example, in Newark, New Jersey, where the housing burden increased by 4%, one out of every 11 rental households faced eviction in 2014.

Which Communities Are Most Vulnerable to Eviction?

Immigrant communities face a heightened risk of eviction. Data from the American Community Survey shows that the top 10% of neighborhoods by eviction rate had foreign-born resident rates of over 11%, compared to about 8% in neighborhoods with the lowest eviction rates. Reports from across the country document landlords exploiting the immigration status of tenants, sometimes by demanding Social Security numbers or taking advantage of language barriers. This creates a vulnerable population less likely to challenge unfair eviction proceedings—the legal process a landlord must follow to remove a tenant.

What Are the Consequences of Evictions?

The consequences of an eviction are severe and long-lasting. Beyond the immediate loss of a home, an eviction record can disqualify families from future housing opportunities, including the Housing Choice Voucher Program (commonly known as Section 8). Based on our experience assessment, eviction often leads to job loss due to the upheaval and can result in homelessness. On a community level, high eviction rates destabilize neighborhoods and are correlated with increased crime.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Eviction Rates?

Solutions must be tailored to regional challenges. In supply-constrained coastal cities, rezoning to allow for more housing construction is critical to easing cost pressures. In contrast, Rust Belt areas with ample housing but stagnant wages would benefit from an expansion of the Voucher Program, which currently reaches only a quarter of eligible households. Another effective strategy is providing legal counsel for tenants. New York City’s investment in legal services for low-income tenants increased tenant representation in housing court from 1% to over 25%, contributing to a 24% decline in evictions since 2013.

To mitigate the risk of eviction, tenants should:

• Understand their lease agreement thoroughly, paying close attention to clauses about late fees and lease violations.
• Communicate proactively with landlords if facing financial hardship, as some may be open to a payment plan.
• Know their tenant rights, which vary by state and city, regarding proper notice for eviction.
• Seek assistance early from local housing counseling agencies or legal aid services.

The data makes it clear: without proactive policies to increase affordable housing and protect vulnerable renters, high eviction rates will continue to be a damaging feature of the U.S. rental market.