New Gig Economy Player: Eviction Crews For Hire

A new company called Civvl is hiring contract workers to help evict people during the economic struggles of the pandemic.

1 minute read

September 22, 2020, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


COVID-19 Eviction Crisis

Steve Heap / Shutterstock

Ashwin Rodrigues introduced a new player in the gig economy: Civvl, which promises big money for working eviction crews.

During a time of great economic and general hardship, Civvl aims to be, essentially, Uber, but for evicting people. Seizing on a pandemic-driven nosedive in employment and huge uptick in number-of-people-who-can't-pay-their-rent, Civvl aims to make it easy for landlords to hire process servers and eviction agents as gig workers.

Civil is getting the word out about its platform by announcing job openings on Craigslist, according to Rodrigues, with phrases like "be your own boss," and "flexible hours," and "looking for self-motivated individuals with positive attitudes."

Rodrigues has anticipated the possibility that Civvl might be some kind of online prank, but also found evidence of the app's connection to am existing gig economy company called OnQall, which develops on call service apps like LawnFixr, CleanQwik, and MoveQwik. 

The article puts the existence of Civvl in context of the patchwork system of of eviction moratoriums and tenant protections in place around the country, while implying obvious sympathies for those struggling to hold on to housing during the multiple intersecting crisis—housing, economic, and public health—in the United States right now.

Monday, September 21, 2020 in Vice

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

December 1, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

Broken, uneven sidewalk being damaged by large tree roots in Los Angeles, California.

The City of Broken Sidewalks

Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?

December 5, 2024 - Donald Shoup

Dense informal settlement on steep hillside in Brazil.

Housing as a Climate Resilience Strategy

Ensuring that housing, including in informal settlements, is safe and healthy for its residents is a key tool in the fight to build more sustainable and equitable communities in the face of climate migration.

December 11 - Time Magazine

Close-up of person on road bike riding on protected bike lane separated by concrete curb from street.

Southeast LA Road Safety Advocates Call for Improved Infrastructure

Streets in southeastern Los Angeles County have a severe lack of protected bike lanes and traffic safety measures, leading to high numbers of fatalities in a community where many residents depend on walking and biking for daily needs.

December 11 - LA Public Press

Close-up of Chevron gas station sign with logo and prices starting at $7.25.

USDOT: Low-Income Households Bear Highest Transportation Cost Burden

Transportation costs are the second-highest household expenditure behind housing for all income levels.

December 11 - Smart Cities Dive

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.