The American Eviction Epidemic

According to a new report, a U.S. "eviction epidemic" is connected to a growing number of homeless people.

1 minute read

March 27, 2018, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Lost Our Home

AR McLin / Flickr

The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty has released a report that declares an "eviction epidemic" in the United States.

Heidi Groover shares news of the report, which finds that the eviction epidemic is caused by unaffordable rents and lack of legal protections, and having the effect of forcing more people onto the streets and into homeless shelters.

Groover shares some of the key findings and methodology that explain the study's reach. The study also includes policy recommendations to mitigate the epidemic, "including prohibiting discrimination based on source of income, preventing landlords from banning renters with criminal records, and limiting whether evictions show up on future tenant screening reports." 

Monday, March 26, 2018 in The Stranger

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

AI-generated image of high-speed rail trail in elevated track in green hilly farmland.

Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI

It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.

May 28, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Aerial view of Bend, Oregon.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment

City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

45 minutes ago - The Bulletin

Metro rail station in Mariachi Plaza with colorful glass pavilion in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA

When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

1 hour ago - CALmatters

Des Moines, Iowa skyline viewed from a plaza with two flags on either side at dusk.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units

A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive