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Eviction: 2020

2020 Evictions
access our full presentation here 
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

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