Resources for Americans Facing Eviction
Tenants’ Rights + Strategies to Fight Eviction:
This is all adapted from Alex Mahadevan’s article in “The Penny Hoarder.”
1. Remember that it is ILLEGAL for your landlord to evict you by changing the locks, turning off utilities, or through any other method.
2. Negoiate any way you can with your landlord or leasing company. Most of the time, it is in your landlord’s best interests to work with you to figure out a payment plan so that you do not fall behind on rent. “[The landlord] neither wants the headache of going to court [n]or that apartment empty,” explained Maricopa County, Arizona, Judge Pro Tem Jeremy Rovinsky. You might try to negoiate a week-to-week payment plan, which most experts say is your best bet if you are facing eviction. Dividing your rent into weekly amounts makes it easier to budget for.
3. Depending on your state, or county, there are technicalities that could force your landlord to halt eviction proceedings. These include failure to keep up the property or any sort of retaliation for demanding the landlord follow local tenant laws.
But you’ll need plenty of evidence. Hang on to your lease and read it thoroughly — or if you lost it, pick up a copy from your local Clerk of the Court. Save emails, memos and letters from your landlord and take photos of the property. The more documentation, the better chance you have of winning in court.
4. It can be very overwhelming to figure out your legal options in an eviction process. Most local legal-aid offices are low-cost or free and will have an expert on housing rights. See below for resources abut how to get a lawyer.
5. Find an organization or a local church group that can help you pay off your rent and avoid eviction for a certain amount of time. See below for a list of charities that offer grants and other forms of assistance to those facing eviction.
6. Scroll down to the bottom of the article (linked below) for a list of state-by-state eviction guidelines: https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/how-to-stop-an-eviction/.
This is all adapted from Alex Mahadevan’s article in “The Penny Hoarder.”
1. Remember that it is ILLEGAL for your landlord to evict you by changing the locks, turning off utilities, or through any other method.
2. Negoiate any way you can with your landlord or leasing company. Most of the time, it is in your landlord’s best interests to work with you to figure out a payment plan so that you do not fall behind on rent. “[The landlord] neither wants the headache of going to court [n]or that apartment empty,” explained Maricopa County, Arizona, Judge Pro Tem Jeremy Rovinsky. You might try to negoiate a week-to-week payment plan, which most experts say is your best bet if you are facing eviction. Dividing your rent into weekly amounts makes it easier to budget for.
3. Depending on your state, or county, there are technicalities that could force your landlord to halt eviction proceedings. These include failure to keep up the property or any sort of retaliation for demanding the landlord follow local tenant laws.
But you’ll need plenty of evidence. Hang on to your lease and read it thoroughly — or if you lost it, pick up a copy from your local Clerk of the Court. Save emails, memos and letters from your landlord and take photos of the property. The more documentation, the better chance you have of winning in court.
4. It can be very overwhelming to figure out your legal options in an eviction process. Most local legal-aid offices are low-cost or free and will have an expert on housing rights. See below for resources abut how to get a lawyer.
5. Find an organization or a local church group that can help you pay off your rent and avoid eviction for a certain amount of time. See below for a list of charities that offer grants and other forms of assistance to those facing eviction.
6. Scroll down to the bottom of the article (linked below) for a list of state-by-state eviction guidelines: https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/how-to-stop-an-eviction/.
Financial Assistance and Legal Resources:
Rent Assistance
https://www.rentassistance.us/ar/about
Rent Assistance is an online database of government programs, nonprofit organizations, and religious institutions offering financial assistance in your area. Simply enter your zip code, and they will provide you with a list.
Modest Needs
https://www.modestneeds.org/about-us/index.asp
Modest Needs is a charity that provides short-term financial assistance to individuals and families on the brink of homelessness. They give special consideration to persons living alone (single persons with no dependent children), public school teachers, and first responders.
Gradient Gives Back Foundation
https://gradientgivesback.com/foundation
The Gradient Gives Back Foundation strives to help poor, distressed or underprivileged American families who are at risk of losing their homes. Whether you own your home or are renting, the organization provides mortgage payment or lease assistance by making payments for you.
Law Help
https://www.lawhelp.org/find-help
If you believe that your landlord is wrongfully evicting you, hiring an attorney can help you fight against the court order. LawHelp is a site that allows you to find lawyers and legal aid programs near you. Simply enter your zip code, and they will provide you with a list.
United Way 211
http://www.211.org/
The United Way 211 Information and Assistance Helpline is a free and confidential service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need emergency food stamps, housing, medical aid, or are a victim of domestic abuse, calling “211” connects you to a dispatcher that can help you fight resources and help in your area.
IF YOU LIVE IN NEW YORK:
Coalition for the Homeless: Eviction Prevention Program in New York
https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/our-programs/crisis-services/eviction-prevention/
The Coalition for the Homeless runs an Eviction Prevention Program that saves over 800 New Yorkers each year from homelssness. They offer one-time grants of $1000 to those who can demonstrate the ability to pay their rent going forward. To schedule an appointment, you must call the Eviction Prevention Hotline at 212-776-2039 on Wednesday or Friday mornings beginning at 9:30 am. In order to qualify, you must be in court, have a signed court stipulation and have future ability to pay your ongoing rent.
Other Important Resources:
(212) 776-2177: Crisis Hotline for homeless people struggling to find shelter immediately
CARES Act Health Benefits: https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/cares-act-benefits/