MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — Maricopa County saw the most evictions filed since 2005 in 2023 and if 2024's early numbers are any indication, this year is set to surpass the last.
An eviction filed does not mean the person or people being served an eviction notice are forced out of their home, according to the Justice Courts of Maricopa County. In some cases, the eviction is filed and the dispute is handled between residents and landlords out of court. In other instances, the issue is taken to court to be resolved.
When a landlord files an eviction, a tenant can still pay the "past-due" amount before a judge issues a ruling. Some tenants may move out before the eviction goes to court. A population increase also tends to lead to increased evictions filed.
12News is keeping track of the number of evictions filed each month and is bringing you the data you need to know about the county's housing crisis.
Maricopa County sees 'normal' increase in evictions filed in May, officials say
There were more than 7,000 eviction cases filed in Maricopa County during the month of May — bringing the number of evictions filed in the first five months of the year to the highest it's been since 2000.
Gov. Hobbs rejects changing how Arizona homeowners can remove squatters
Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed legislation that would have allowed law enforcement to immediately remove suspected squatters from a residence.
Senate Bill 1129 permitted property owners to request help from law enforcement and to remove someone they say is unlawfully occupying their home. The homeowner would have to fill out a sworn affidavit asserting the occupant is not a current or former tenant.
April evictions filed
The Maricopa County Justice Courts saw 6,788 cases filed, which is 588 cases, or approximately 9% more than in March.
The increase is "in line" with what the county sees each year from March to April, according to a news release. The county typically sees an increase in evictions filed in the summer months.
Phoenix discusses right to counsel program for renters facing eviction
Noelle Lewis is one of thousands of people across Maricopa County who faced eviction in 2023. When she got the eviction notice, it was after her rent had increased to more than what she could pay.
"I was given, like, numbers to call and different programs," Lewis said. "But it seemed like my emergency wasn't necessarily their urgency, because I can imagine how many other people may have needed that same assistance."
While nearly all landlords are represented by legal counsel at eviction hearings, according to the William E. Morris Institute for Justice, less than one percent of tenants are represented. Now, the City of Phoenix is discussing ways to help more tenants have representation by funding a program permanently.
Maricopa County sees most eviction filings since 2005
Despite multiple months of record breaking number of evictions filed, 2023 came up shy of breaking the record for most evictions filed in a year. In 2005, the year with the most evictions filed, there were 83,687. That is just 451 more than the number of evictions filed in 2023, according to data from the Maricopa County Justice Courts.
Arizona's 211 call center sees dramatic increase in calls for emergency housing
Communities across the state are scrambling to help an ever-growing, ever-changing homeless population.
It’s a population that’s only gone up in the past five years in Arizona. Despite millions of dollars going towards helping the crisis – people still aren’t connecting with the right kind of resources.
Providers are hoping 211 might help as a one-stop-shop call center to connect people to resources for housing and homelessness.
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