The number of evictions in Texas is rising above pre-pandemic levels as renter protections expire.
As pandemic-era eviction protections lapse and rental assistance funding dries up or programs expire, renters in Texas face rising eviction rates, reports Cheryl Mercedes for KHOU. “Dallas, San Antonio and Houston are experiencing an increase in filings from landlords looking to force out renters.”
Eviction filings in the state dropped significantly during the moratorium imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2020, writes Mercedes, “But months after it was lifted (August 26, 2021), eviction filings picked up to more than 6,800 cases, surpassing the number of cases filed before the pandemic.” While a predicted national ‘eviction tsunami’ did not materialize in the way many feared, the consequences of disruptions in rent payments during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to reverberate.
Eric Kwartler, founder of the Eviction Defense Coalition, a volunteer attorney group, says “The attorneys believe the solution lies with the state legislature.” According to Kwartler, “More protections for tenants ... more rent relief. The number one way to fight nonpayment of rent eviction is dependent rent. So, more money, more rent relief.”
FULL STORY: Texas eviction rates climbing at alarming rate, expected to go even higher
Sacramento Households Hit Hard by Evictions
With pandemic-era renter protections ending and rents rising by close to 20 percent, renters in Sacramento are finding it harder to afford housing in the region.
Quantifying the Impact of Pandemic Housing Assistance
The massive federal injection of funding into housing programs has had major impacts on many Americans’ ability to stay housed and out of debt, but fears loom as the end of some funding sources nears.
Almost 36,000 California Households Got Eviction Notices Last Year
Despite efforts to implement rental assistance programs and eviction moratoriums during the COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands of California households were served eviction notices last year, with more falling behind on rent payments.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)