Eviction: 2020
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research questions
Quantitative:
- which areas in Providence and across the state experience the most eviction filings?
- what is the breakdown of eviction filings from various categories of plaintiffs?
- who are Providence's biggest evictors?
- what is the breakdown of landlord vs. tenant representation in court?
Qualitative:
- what are the varying perspectives of people involved in the eviction process?
- what burdens do those experiencing eviction face?
- how does the process of eviction differ for all those involved?
- what can eviction reform look like?
findings
Between 2016 and 2018:
- an average of 8,350 evictions filed in Rhode Island annually
- in Providence, eviction rates are particularly high in minority neighborhoods
- real estate corporations account for 44.8% of evictions annually
- 100% of landlords in eviction proceedings have lawyers, while only 7% of tenants do
- tenants without a lawyer were given default judgments for failing to appear in court 22.7% of the time, vs. only 4.2% of the time when they were represented
- actors at all levels of the eviction process, from tenants to landlords' lawyers to judges, voiced support for reformative legislation, such as a Right to Counsel in eviction hearings or "sealing" eviction records for tenants who win their cases
Providence's biggest evictors
1. Providence Housing Authority - 13.5%
2. Traveler's Aid Housing LP - 1.73%
3. RI Property Wire LLC - 0.7%
recording of public presentation of research at 134 Collaborative in Providence on February 18, 2020
researchers
Amelia Anthony
Phoebe Ayres
Emily Grace
Hilary Ho
Luke Landis
community partners
DARE: Direct Action for Rights and Equality
RI Center for Justice
Signs of Providence