Other cities could learn from efforts to lower eviction rates in Charlotte, North Carolina.
When groundbreaking research revealed that evictions in Charlotte, North Carolina are nearly twice as frequent as in similar-sized cities, the University of North Carolina and Mecklenburg County wanted to know more. The two partnered to take a deeper look at the frequency, causes, and impacts of eviction in Charlotte—ultimately motivating the county to devote new resources to legal aid and eviction defense, one step in combatting the crisis.
In hopes of replicating the partnership's success in other cities, Urban Institute's Leah Hendey distilled their work into five basic strategies. Here are a few:
-
The partnership heard from a number of parties involved in the eviction process, including county agencies, nonprofits, legal aid, landlords, apartment associations, and the sheriff's office.
-
They mapped out the entire eviction process, including informal evictions that never make it to court. That helped them identify the most crucial junctures and key opportunities for intervention.
-
They combined awareness with action. Alongside reports on new dimensions of the eviction crisis, the partnership published a "Toolkit for Action." Following the reports, Hendey notes, "the United Way and Mecklenburg County increased their funding for legal assistance for people facing eviction, with the county funding Legal Aid of North Carolina to provide this assistance for the first time in the fiscal year 2019 budget."
FULL STORY: Five ways Charlotte, North Carolina, deepened its understanding of its eviction crisis
Charlotte’s Changing Commute Patterns
With more people working from home since the pandemic, the area is seeing shorter commute times for cars and public transit.
Nation's Newest Toll Road Opens in North Carolina
For a small fee, motorists can now bypass a congested arterial road with two dozen traffic lights outside of Charlotte. Built and operated by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, the 18-mile, electronically tolled Monroe Expressway opened Nov. 27.
California Evictions Much Faster and More Frequent Than Previously Thought
About 500,000 tenants face eviction every year—triple previous estimates. And over a million may be involuntary displaced despite never making it to court.
Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.
Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion
The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.
Las Vegas Golf Course to Become Over 1,000 Units of Affordable Housing
The project is part of an initiative to build affordable housing on shuttered golf courses.
Cities and States Taking Action to Limit Rent-Setting AI
Federal prosecutors are charging a software company with using algorithms to artificially inflate rents.
BART to Raise Fares in January
The transit agency says it needs more state and federal support to meet its operating costs and avoid a growing budget gap.
Montreal Bike Share Breaks Ridership Record With 13 Million Rides
The Bixi system introduced a winter pilot project last year, leading to a rise in winter cycling.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Los Alamos County
City of Culver City
Skagit Transit
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners