Eviction Filings Surge 21% over Four Years in Maricopa County Amidst Housing Shortage

Tenants in Maricopa County are facing an increase in eviction filings, with reports indicating a significant 21% rise over the past four years. A staggering sum of more than 83,000 cases were filed in 2023 alone, marking the second-highest tally on record since 2005. According to data from the Maricopa County Justice Courts, the spike is attributed to both a burgeoning population in the Valley and an acute shortage of affordable housing units. ABC15 reported that the number of eviction cases has jumped more than 20% since 2019, the year before the pandemic began.

The surge in evictions comes as the local economy grapples with the aftermath of COVID-19 and associated rental assistance programs drying up. Judge Sharron Sauls of the Kyrene Justice Court in Chandler was quoted in a statement obtained by AZFamily, “No one wants to file evictions... but folks, it is a necessary remedy sometimes when rent goes unpaid.” The peak in filings was observed in January 2024, with over 8,000 cases, the highest for any single month on record.

With a glaring housing shortfall impacting a vast swathe of residents, officials and advocates emphasize the need for increased housing development. Courtney LeVinus with the Arizona Multi-Housing Association highlighted an estimated shortage of 270,000 units statewide, with Phoenix alone in need of an additional 63,000 units. In a discussion with AZFamily, LeVinus noted that we need homes at all price points.

Nonetheless, resource options are available for those confronted with eviction. The Department of Economic Security offers rental assistance specifically for low-income seniors and families with kids, while the Arizona Department of Housing provides further assistance across the state. Furthermore, Pam Bridge of Community Legal Services emphasizes the importance of reaching out early, as reported by  ABC15.

Bridge told AZFamily "It is really important that tenants, when they find out there is a chance they are getting evicted, that they reach out for those resource. Even if there isn’t legal merit, we can try to negotiate for them, and provide options for them."

Maricopa County’s alarming escalation in evictions highlights the intersection of a strained post-pandemic economy and a burgeoning population. With the county grappling with historic highs in eviction rates, the community's response continues to evolve, as affordable housing scarcity and the need for effective support systems become ever more apparent.