- Cities like Houston, Las Vegas, and Phoenix are reporting eviction rates of up to 35% or more compared to pre-pandemic levels.
- Elevated rents and property management automation are contributing factors to these high eviction rates.
- The rise in Sunbelt evictions contrasts with stable or declining rates in other areas due to better renter protections.
According to the Wall Street Journal, eviction rates in major Sunbelt metros, including Houston, Las Vegas, and Phoenix, are surging—with rates up 35% or more compared to pre-2020 norms. Worse, eviction rates in these regions show little sign of returning to pre-pandemic levels.
By The Numbers
Landlords in Phoenix filed over 8K eviction notices in January, marking the highest number ever recorded in a single month for Maricopa County.
Meanwhile, Houston and Las Vegas also reported elevated eviction rates, contributing to an average of 15% more eviction notices across 10 of the 33 cities tracked by the Eviction Lab.
In contrast, East Coast gateways like NYC and Philadelphia have been reporting lower eviction rates, thanks to enhanced renter protections.
‘Too Damn High’
The spike in Sun Belt evictions follows a rapid acceleration in post-pandemic rents, driven by pent-up demand in housing markets with short supply. Nationwide, rents for homes and apartments shot up 30% from 2020 to 2023, according to the Zillow Observed Rent Index.
High rent burdens have pushed many to the brink of homelessness, with nearly a quarter of renter households in the U.S. spending over 50% of their income on housing. This makes even temporarily lower income, due to a job loss or medical emergency, a possible cause for eviction filings.
Notably, the adoption of property management software has streamlined the eviction process, reducing landlord reliance on in-person staff to resolve issues with tenants. The impact of high rents has even led to a marked increase in eviction-related fundraisers on platforms like GoFundMe.
Why It Matters
Rising eviction rates in some major Sunbelt cities underscore the ongoing housing affordability crisis. While some regions of the country benefit from stronger renter protections, other renters aren’t as lucky.
Despite efforts to provide more leeway for cash-strapped renters in the Sunbelt, the legislative response has been mixed. In Nevada, for example, Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed several bills aimed at protecting renters.
