PHOENIX — 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.
Four of the highest-eviction months happened in the last year:
- Jan 2024: 8,025
- Aug 2024: 7,957
- Oct 2023: 7,947
- Jul 2024: 7,903
- Aug 2005: 7,902
"There are enough filings for about 15 out of every 100 renter households, making it one of the top places for eviction filings in the country. This past month, we saw it as number three on our list of the cities that we track," Adam Chapnick, Research Specialist, The Eviction Lab said in response to the most recent numbers.
The Eviction Lab tracks evictions in several cities and states across the country and Chapnick argues high rent is a major factor in the number of evictions.
"We're seeing cost burden on rent upwards of 30% as high as 80% for the lowest income groups, renters just can't afford their rent," Chapnick explained.
That sentiment has been echoed by Valley Tenants Union. "We're seeing them push on minor things, whether it's minor amounts of rent or minor lease violations. Maybe talking to people outside and you get a 10 day notice for noise complaints. It's, again, like I said, really abusive practices," Will Meister, Valley Tenants Union, said.
According to data for more than 20 years, eviction cases typically increase through October and then decrease in November.
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