Quantifying the Impact of Evictions and Eviction Filings on Homelessness Rates in the United States

Abstract

A causal relationship between eviction rates and homelessness rates has long been hypothesized, but there is little empirical evidence to support its existence. We address this gap by estimating the extent to which rates of eviction filings and eviction judgments are associated with subsequent rates of U.S. homelessness. We align community-level homelessness rates with county-level rates of eviction filings and eviction judgments from 2007 to 2017 and use fixed-effects regression models to assess relationships between eviction filings and eviction judgments and rates of homelessness. We find a positive association between the eviction filing rate and the rate of sheltered homelessness, but do not observe significant associations between eviction judgments and rates of homelessness. Although the community-level relationship between evictions and homelessness is significant, it is more nuanced than previously hypothesized. Findings corroborate the harms of eviction proceedings and suggest a need to intercede before an eviction judgment has been issued.

Keywords:

• Evictions
• eviction filings
• homelessness
• social determinants of health

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dan Treglia

Dan Treglia is an associate professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses broadly on public policy and administration related to income and housing insecurity, homelessness, and caregiver loss.

Thomas Byrne

Thomas Byrne is an associate professor at the Boston University School of Social Work and an investigator at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Implementation Research (CHOIR) and the National Center on Homelessness among Veterans. His research focuses broadly on the causes and consequences of, and policy solutions to, homelessness and housing insecurity.

Vijaya Tamla Rai

Vijaya Tamla Rai is a PhD candidate and teaching assistant–lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of Sociology. His research focuses on urban marginality, homelessness, housing insecurity, and childhood adversity. He teaches classes on social inequality and quantitative methods.