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.
More evictions filed in October than September in Maricopa County, data shows
There were 7,688 evictions filed in Maricopa County during the month of October, according to data from the Maricopa County Justice Courts. This makes October the 8th all-time monthly highest for evictions filed, tied with August of 2023.
Maricopa County sees most evictions filed in nearly 20 years
The combined number of evictions filed in the first nine months of 2024 puts Maricopa County on track to have the highest number of evictions filed in more than 20 years, according to data from the Justice Courts of Maricopa County.
The second-largest number of evictions were filed during August in Maricopa County. In September, filings dropped off more than 5%.
There were 7,957 eviction cases filed during August, approximately 50 more than in July and just 68 less than in January of 2024, which is still the month with the most evictions filed in county history.
August marks second-highest month for eviction filings in Maricopa County
Maricopa County saw the second-highest number of eviction filings in August, according to county officials.
Records show 7,957 eviction filings in August 2024. County officials say that doesn't mean that all of those people lost housing. Nearly a third of filings are dismissed after a tenant receives a summons, according to Scott Davis with Maricopa Justice Courts.
Housing solutions amid record number of evictions in the Valley
A Valley group is working to provide sustainable housing solutions amid rising evictions.
They’re doing it by providing a bridge from shelter to independent housing.
“I was definitely on the streets, homeless… nowhere to go,” said Kordale Bryant, reflecting on a difficult time in his life. “…actually, slept at parks and anywhere safe that I could find out of the way.”
Sadly, homelessness is something Bryant knows all too well.
July saw the third-highest number of evictions filed in Maricopa County ever
July of 2024 saw the third most evictions filed in Maricopa County ever.
According to data from the Justice Courts of Maricopa County, 7,903 evictions were filed in July this year. That number is 30% more than July of 2019, pre-pandemic, and 8% more than June of this year.
While population growth does impact the number of evictions filed, July's numbers this year are still 20% higher overall from July pre-pandemic.
Phoenix renters facing evictions should have a permanent right to counsel, advocates say
While the City of Phoenix has invested millions in federal funding since July 2020 on the Tenants Eviction Assistance Project with Community Legal Services, elected leaders and residents want to see the right to counsel become a permanent city-funded program.
“Some may ask, ‘Why should the government pay for tenants lawyers?' The answer is simple, because we already pay for the consequences of evictions, and those costs are far higher,” Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington of District 8 said in front of Phoenix City Hall on Wednesday.
Hodge Washington points to Philadelphia, which invested $3.5 million in right to counsel since February 2022 in select zip codes.
“They're estimating the cost savings to be $45.2 million in savings,” Hodge Washinghton said. “I think that's a worthwhile investment.”
June sees 2% more evictions filed in Maricopa County than May, data finds
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 six months of the year to the highest it's been since 2000.
The Maricopa County Justice Courts saw 7,247 cases filed, which is 146 cases, or approximately 2% more than in May.
Family who was evicted from Phoenix affordable housing takes city to court
A Valley family who has lived in the City of Phoenix affordable housing for years is now starting over after taking their fight against the city to court.
Ryan and Tahira Handeland and their five kids have lived at Camelback Properties for six years. Last week, they received an immediate eviction notice after they say they asked for things to be fixed inside their apartment. This week, they reached a settlement agreement with the city.
"They're trying to say that all of this stuff was due to our negligence," Ryan Handeland said to the court Tuesday. "However, the other property management company was fully aware we've asked for repairs and it seems retaliatory."
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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