What are Evictions?

Flow chart of the eviction process in the state of Indiana. Created and published by SAVI.

In the United States, eviction is a legal process that landlords use to force tenants out of their rental homes. It often happens when tenants are unable to meet the terms of their lease, like falling behind on rent payments or breaching other agreement terms. State laws outline the steps landlords must follow to evict tenants, which usually start with written notices and can escalate to court hearings if the tenant doesn’t pay the rent, leave voluntarily, or solve the dispute. During these court proceedings, both parties present their cases, but if the court rules in favor of the landlord, tenants face the distressing reality of being physically removed from their homes, along with their belongings.

For tenants, eviction is more than just a legal process—it's a devastating experience with profound social and economic consequences. Facing eviction can mean losing stable housing, plunging into homelessness, and enduring severe financial strain. Research reveals that evictions disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, including minorities, single-parent households, and families with children. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this crisis, leaving millions of Americans at risk of eviction due to sudden income loss and economic instability. While some measures like eviction moratoriums and rental assistance programs offer temporary relief, the underlying issues of affordable housing shortages and income inequality persist, leaving many tenants facing the constant threat of losing their homes.