Evictions Of Coronavirus-Impacted Residents Low In Austin: Report

AUSTIN, TX — Anti-eviction protections implemented by city officials amid the coronavirus pandemic have been successful in keeping people housed and in reducing spikes in homelessness, a new study found.

Moreover, Austin is among the nation's cities seeing the fewest evictions of residents financially hit by coronavirus-spurred work slowdown as a result, according to data from the Princeton University Eviction Lab.

U.S. cities with additional protections for renters such as Austin have seen far fewer evictions filed during the pandemic, the data show. Of America’s larger cities, Austin and Minneapolis saw some of the lowest levels of eviction filings, according to the findings.

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Eviction filings are banned in Austin against those who simply cannot pay rent due to the pandemic, researchers noted, although some evictions can occur for other reasons such as violence or property damage. Federal eviction rules, without additional local protections, are not sufficient to protect against eviction filings. Eviction filings themselves often push tenants to leave their homes before any court hearing.

Chart courtesy of the Princeton University Eviction Lab.

“Austin’s eviction protections are helping thousands of our residents, and saving lives in the process,” Austin City Council Member Greg Casar said in a prepared statement. “As we continue to find ways to get Austin families the support they need, I hope other cities and counties adopt similar protections. Eviction is not just a condition of poverty, but a cause of it. No one should lose their home because of the pandemic, and we have to do right by Austin families.”

Casar is the lead sponsor of Austin’s COVID-19 Right to Cure ordinance which gives tenants extra time to pay their rent, and he is a vocal supporter of the City and County’s eviction moratoriums. He is sponsoring an extension of the ordinance for the Thursday, Dec. 10 Council agenda. Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judges Sarah Eckhardt, Sam Biscoe, and Andy Brown, and Travis County Justice of the Peace Nicholas Chu have been instrumental in securing these protections for residents, researchers noted.

Tenants facing challenges paying rent can apply to the City’s RENT program, which is accepting more applications through Tuesday until noon.