Likelihood of eviction or foreclosure by state

56% of South Carolinians who are late on rent or mortgage payments expect to lose their home in the next two months.

Likelihood of eviction or foreclosure, Mar 2-14, 2022

Percent of adults living in households not current on rent or mortgage where eviction or foreclosure in the next two months is “very likely” or “somewhat likely”

Source: Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey

Before Covid, 1 in 4 renters spent more than half their household income on housing (Severe Housing Cost Burden). When Covid struck, lowered interest rates prompted investors to snatch up housing, pushing prices upward.¹ Increased housing prices combined with massive job losses prompted a federal eviction moratorium in March 2020.²

After the Supreme Court struck down the Covid eviction moratorium in August 2021, eviction filings increased but did not rebound to historical levels. Princeton eviction experts credit the mobilization of federal resources as well as the contributions of 2,100 law students who assisted courts with eviction diversion programs and helped families complete Emergency Rental Assistance applications.³ Still, high housing prices continue to push renters toward eviction.⁴ As recently as March 2022, 35% of Southerners (and 30% of non-Southerners) who are late on rent or mortgage payments were fearful of losing their homes. State and local officials that speed up the distribution of Emergency Rental Assistance funds can stabilize renters and landlords alike (Emergency Rental Assistance).

1. “Where is the U.S. Housing Shortage?” Nechayev. The Counselors of Real Estate. November, 2021. https://cre.org/real-estate-issues/where-is-the-u-s-housing-shortage/

2. “Federal Eviction Moratoriums in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic”. Congressional Research Service. March, 2021. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11516#:~:text=The%20CARES%20Act%20eviction%20moratorium,(August%2023%2C%202020). 

3. “How an eviction prevention program emerged after the moratorium ended”. Govindarao. ABC News. April, 2022. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/eviction-prevention-program-emerged-moratorium-ended/story?id=83922544

4. “Orlando residents face ‘financial eviction’ as rents skyrocket with no end in sight”. Fraser. Orlando Sentinel. April, 2022. https://news.yahoo.com/orlando-residents-face-financial-eviction-081500516.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGMWq2pBPUJ_Yy0lXjpW3GxIxB3Da2J5B-rD-tpSiony_uQ6N4fQoU6EoPr_0C8ZVh8pKUDSXFkcBmkDZYArP4qfn13vizQrPOHLgWaXvqzyz_C8rQcdlEXZnQasqYgAQj9Pip620WCKCLeORCLYI1A6XLwGvMtGOJPAb7lYrLw-