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

The COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project (CEDP) 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 Aug. 6, 2020 CEDP 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 becomes available.

Recent Analysis

Amicus Brief: Terkel v. CDC

CED Project | May 3, 2021

CEDP filed an amicus brief for Terkel v. CDC highlighting that mass evictions during the pandemic have profound economic ramifications that substantially affect interstate commerce.

Estimated Number of Renters Behind on Rent in Colorado

CED Project | April 6, 2021

We estimated the number of renters who could be behind on rent by Metropolitan Statistical Area. This is a directional, consulting style methodology aiming to localize eviction risk for decision makers.

HH Pulse Data, Debt & Housing Insecurity

CED Project | March 25, 2021

Census Bureau states nearly 1 in 6 tenants are behind on rent.

Illustration of figures in an apartment complex

Emerging Best Practices for COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

Aspen Institute | Dec. 22, 2020

This slide deck lays out emerging best practices for the design and administration of rental assistance programs for states, localities, and their non-profit partners who will be called upon to disburse billions in rental assistance.

Tabulations of Week 20 of HH Pulse Survey

CED Project | Dec. 16, 2020

Census Bureau states 18% of renters report being behind on their rent.

Tabulations of Rental Arrears in Late October, Early November

CED Project | Nov. 20, 2020

How housing insecurity disproportionately affects black renters, other renters of color, and families with children.

Eviction moratorium in effect in Colorado through end of 2020

CED Project | Oct. 27, 2020

On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, Governor Polis issued an executive order (Executive Order 227) banning evictions for at least 30 days, effective immediately.

Colorado Eviction Risk Analysis

CED Project | Sept. 17, 2020

Based on census data, 345k-436k renters are at risk of eviction by the end of the year if current conditions do not change.

Image of data visualization showing the baseline percentage of renters at risk of eviction by state in the USA.

The COVID-19 Eviction Crisis: An estimated 30-40 million people in America are at risk

Aspen Institute | Aug. 6, 2020

The United States may be facing the most severe housing crisis in its history.

Eviction Risk in Nevada

Guinn Center | July 2020

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

20 million renters are at risk of eviction; policymakers must act now to mitigate widespread hardship

Aspen Institute | June 19, 2020

Over the past five months, more than 44 million Americans have filed for unemployment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Bell Policy Center | May 28, 2020

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.