Public discourse often characterizes landlords as adversarial – quick to pursue eviction after a missed payment and indifferent to tenants’ rights. However, landlords and the property managers they employ can play a central role in preventing and reducing the impact of eviction, particularly in low-income communities. Drawing on research, case examples and promising practices, this brief illustrates how collaboration with civil legal and other community partners helps landlords avoid eviction, preserve rental income and strengthen their communities in the process. 

Explores the growing movement to guarantee tenants the right to legal representation in eviction cases, highlighting early evidence that right to counsel (RTC) initiatives reduce displacement, improve court efficiency and generate economic savings. The brief also underscores the critical role of legal aid and community organizations in designing, delivering and sustaining effective RTC programs.

This memo presents a national estimate of $2,000–$2,500 per case to provide legal representation to low-income tenants facing eviction. Evidence demonstrates that investing in legal defense not only improves housing outcomes but also generates meaningful savings for public systems, including healthcare, education and emergency services.

This brief highlights innovative programs developed during the COVID-19 pandemic that reduced evictions. From eviction diversion and rental assistance to centralized intake, legal tech and volunteer mobilization, these initiatives demonstrate how collaboration, creativity and community partnerships can keep tenants housed and keep landlords whole.

Highlighting model practices for pro bono eviction defense programs, this brief explores how legal aid organizations can effectively engage volunteers to expand access to eviction-related legal services. Drawing on case studies from across the country, it outlines strategies to support and retain volunteers while meeting the urgent legal needs of tenants facing eviction.

This brief analyzes state eviction laws and reveals how the low cost and speed of eviction filings can make it easier for landlords to initiate proceedings. 

This data also outlines the challenges and strategies involved in collecting, standardizing and analyzing eviction court records across the U.S. It highlights major barriers to access, such as inconsistent data availability and documentation, and showcases promising practices that can improve data quality and support more informed policymaking.

This brief analyzes eviction filing trends during the COVID-19 pandemic, showing how state and federal moratoria impacted eviction activity across five counties. The findings reveal that moratoria that halted filings — not just judgments — reducing eviction risk and preventing long-term harm to renters.

Like many jurisdictions, the eviction process in Shelby County, Tennessee is complex and fast-moving. Using Shelby County as a case study, this brief highlights barriers tenants face — from limited legal protections to inaccessible appeal options — and underscores the need for legal representation.