Report Highlights Key Role of Cities in Stemming Evictions

A report from the National League of Cities encourages a multi-faceted approach to housing policy that addresses each city's unique needs to prevent evictions and ease the housing crisis as eviction moratoriums expire and tenants and homeowners face eviction and foreclosure. "The report identifies a variety of strategies to prevent evictions, including strengthening just-cause policies, legal assistance, hotlines and financial assistance." Jason Plautz details the report's findings, which signal a need for local governments to develop robust strategies for fighting eviction and making assistance available as well as expunging eviction records to make it easier for people to find housing. 

Report co-author Lauren Lowery, NLC director of housing and community development, said cities can be especially effective as convening bodies when it comes to eviction policies. City officials have connections not only in the housing and business community but also to courts, legal aid organizations, state partners and even federal agencies with a role to play in evictions, the report said.

The report recommends creating legal assistance programs to help tenants find and access resources. "According to a report from the New York City Bar Association, 77% fewer eviction warrants were issued when low-income tenants in New York had legal assistance with their eviction cases compared with the outcome when such tenants went without legal assistance."