Stability Support
Eviction
Updated 11/18/2021
"An eviction happens when a landlord expels people from property he or she owns. Evictions are landlord-initiated involuntary moves that happen to renters, whereas foreclosures are involuntary moves that happen to homeowners when a bank or other lending agency repossesses a home." (Eviction lab, 2018)
The formal eviction rate is displayed on the map. Eviction rate is the ratio of the number of court-ordered evictions divided by the number of renter-occupied homes in a given area. An eviction rate counts one eviction per address, so regardless of the number of people living in a given home, it is still considered to be a single eviction. The eviction rate does not account for informal evictions, or scenarios in which people are forced out of their homes without receiving a court-order.
For up-to-date, weekly counts of evictions in the Boston and other U.S. cities, please visit Eviction Lab's Eviction Tracker.
Massachusetts All Residential Eviction Cases, Non-Payment of Rent: please click the link to visit the dashboard by Massachusetts Trial Court, Department of Research and Planning. Data is updated monthly, beginning in December 2019.
How does this impact families?
Studies show that eviction has a negative impact on families because it often forces them out of their communities. Social networks, schools, jobs, and friendships create the structural supports that empower children and families to succeed, and when housing is removed these support systems often shatter as well. Many evictions happen informally and can be prevented when tenants are supported and their rights are protected. Find out more information by checking out the resources below and read more about why eviction matters at https://evictionlab.org/why-eviction-matters/ . (Eviction lab, 2018)
Read more about the impact of evictions on our community here
Data Source: This research uses data from The Eviction Lab at Princeton University, a project directed by Matthew Desmond and designed by Ashley Gromis, Lavar Edmonds, James Hendrickson, Katie Krywokulski, Lillian Leung, and Adam Porton. The Eviction Lab is funded by the JPB, Gates, and Ford Foundations as well as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. More information is found at evictionlab.org.
Reference: Eviction Lab. 2018. Why eviction matters? Retrieved from https://evictionlab.org/why-eviction-matters/
Resources if Involved in Evictions
Community resources for eviction prevention in the City of Boston are available including the resources found in Just Shelter as suggested by the Eviction Lab. Four categories of resources (education and advocacy, housing assistance, legal aid, and tenant rights) can be found. Click each resource for more details.
[Further resources]
Emergency shelters and more comprehensive housing assistance can be found in HelpSteps.
Last updated: May 8, 2023
- If you are at immediate risk of becoming homeless, call the Office of Housing Stability at 617-635-4200 (source). Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For help outside these hours, please contact BOS:311. You can dial 3-1-1 or call 617-635-4500.
- Services for the homeless: In response to the public health emergency, the city of Boston put together a list of resources for those experiencing homelessness.
- Rental Relief Fund: Rental Relief Fund provides up to $10,000 in assistance for up to 18 months for arrears, current rent, future rent, utility arrears, and moving-related expensive for those in immediate housing insecurity.
- “After receiving two months of future rent, applicants will need to pay their rent for four to six months before applying for additional future stipends. Applicants must also be behind on rent before applying to receive additional assistance. Applicants will be required to pay 30 percent of their income towards future rent.
- The Rental Relief Fund is open to households earning less than 50% of Area Median Income. We also prioritize households where one or more members have been unemployed for the past 90 days.”
- Housing Stability Pledge for landlords: The pledge asks landlords to honor the federal eviction moratorium; create payment plans with and for tenants, help connect tenants with resources; and work with the relevant voucher administrator for tenants with housing vouchers. "Housing Stability Notification Act" requires property owners and constables who are serving a Notice to Quit (the first step in the legal process of an eviction) to provide a document containing information on tenant rights and resources available to them when issuing a Notice to Quit or non-renewal of lease.
- Mortgage Deferral Agreement: You may be eligible to defer your mortgage payment by as much as three months with no penalties. More information on the bank partnership is available online. Please make sure to contact your lender.
- MLPBoston: comprehensive updates on housing court & district court, eviction, and foreclosure are available.
- MetroHousing | Boston : If you are seeking financial assistance from RAFT or ERMA to help pay rental or utility arrears, fill out the application and submit via their website. Online Section 8 and Project-Based applications are also available.
- Mattapan Family Service Center: Foreclosure prevention resources - "When you're at risk of losing your home, we can provide mediation and advocacy, help you organize your finances, and access the resources you need."
- City Life/Vida Urbana
- Call our hotline - an emergency hotline for people facing eviction during the public health crisis. Please CALL US immediately if you're afraid you'll get evicted soon. 617-934-5006 (English); 617-397-3773 (Espanol)
- Apply for Rent Relief; Declare your eligibility for services; Sign our pledge; Know your resources.
- HomeStart
- For our Eviction Prevention Hotline, please call 857-415-2900. If you owe back rent and are trying to stay in your apartment, we may be able to help.
- Nuestra CDC
- FREE Foreclosure Prevention Services - Call Andora at 617-989-9900 or Mirta at 617-989-1222; email at homeownership@nuestracdc.org. “Our experienced foreclosure prevention advocates assist homeowners throughout Boston by working with lenders to achieve long-term solutions to mortgage problems." Nuestra Comunidad is a HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency. Services are available in English and Spanish.
- Union of Minority Neighborhoods
- “Call 1-888-271-2298 for the UMN Helpline. Receive utility assistance, housing aid, unemployment help, and referrals. Monday-Friday 10AM-3PM.”
- ABCD
- Fuel Assistance: "If you qualify for fuel assistance (LIHEAP), we help pay your winter heating bill by working directly with vendors, and you can take advantage of many other services that are absolutely free." The deadline to apply has been extended to May 12, 2023.
- ABCD Connect is providing assistance with food, housing services, and other essentials including childcare, utilities, internet/cell-phone, transportation, and more. For more information, contact ABCD Boston at 617-348-6329 or email them at abcdconnect@bostonabcd.org.
