Research

The Covid-19 Eviction Defense Project’s Analysis Demonstrates Unprecedented Eviction Risk in U.S.

Data-Driven Analysis

The COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project conducts data driven analyses to estimate the number of people in renter families who could be at risk of eviction. To date, we have partnered with the Aspen Institute and the Bell Policy Center to issue national and state eviction risk reports.

On August 6 the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project issued updated eviction risk estimates along with the Aspen Institute, estimating that more than 29 million Americans in 13 million households could be at risk of eviction by the end of the year if conditions do not change. This estimate is based on the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey and conservative assumptions about the acceleration of housing insecurity. The state by state estimates are available below.

We are continually updating our figures and methodology as more data become available.

Recent Analysis

THE COVID-19 EVICTION CRISIS: AN ESTIMATED 30-40 MILLION PEOPLE IN AMERICA ARE AT RISK

August 6, 2020 | Aspen Institute

The United States may be facing the most severe housing crisis in its history. According to the latest analysis of weekly U.S. Census data, as federal, state and local protections and resources expire and in the absence of robust and swift intervention, an estimated 30–40 million people in America could be at risk of eviction in the next several months.

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Colorado could start to see the beginnings of an avalanche of evictions that may only become worse over the summer, fall, and winter. Either the governor or the legislature must take action to stem a growing crisis. Unless ongoing and persistent action is taken, Colorado and the nation could experience an eviction and rental crisis larger than the Great Recession.

Colorado’s Looming Eviction and Rental Crisis

May 28, 2020 | Bell Policy Center

Unless action is taken in Colorado or at the federal level:
By September, nearly 420,000 Coloradans living in 181,000 households will be at risk of evictions, having accumulated nearly $765 million in rental debt. This crisis is likely to see its greatest increase in August and will impact communities of color, undocumented residents and low-income families most.

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Eviction Risk in Nevada

July 2020 | Guinn Center

Between 272,000-327,000 Nevadans could struggle to pay their rent by September 2020

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20 Million Renters Are at Risk of Eviction; Policymakers Must Act Now to Mitigate Widespread Hardship

June 19, 2020 | Aspen Institute

Across the country, renters and tenants advocates are sounding the alarm about the coming eviction crisis, referring to it as an avalanche or tsunami. Over the past five months, more than 44 million Americans have filed for unemployment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As the recession continues, economic stimulus payments are spent, and expanded Unemployment Insurance expires, many of these displaced workers will be unable to make housing payments.

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