Metro Phoenix eviction filings climb again in August to near-record level

Catherine Reagor, Arizona Republic
·2 min read
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Metro Phoenix eviction filings climbed again in August and are rivaling the monthly record set almost 20 years ago.

Landlords filed to evict renters 7,693 times last month, according to the Maricopa County Justice Courts.

That’s about 200 fewer Valley eviction filings from the August record set in 2005.

August’s pace for property owners moving to evict tenants is up about 8% from the 7,142 filings in July.

Rents have dipped slightly this year, but apartment tenants are still dealing with a more than 30% increase since 2020.

Big investors went on an apartment buying spree in the Phoenix area in 2021-22, paying record prices and hiking rents. Many aren't taking housing vouchers, which leaves some renters few options.

“The justice courts still do not view the increased filings as the tsunami which so many perilously predicted during the pandemic, but it is a tide that has been rising for the last two years,” said Maricopa County Justice Courts spokesperson Scott Davis.

The average eviction judgment was $3,190 last month, about double the typical Valley monthly rent.

Help for renters

There’s still some pandemic-related renter aid available for struggling tenants. Information on where and how to apply is available at azevictionhelp.org.

Anna Huberman, a Maricopa County justice of the peace, said renters shouldn’t wait to apply for help.

“As soon as you think you might be falling behind on the rent, ask for help,” she said. “Tell the landlord right away.”

Huberman said the eviction process moves very fast so if a tenant waits to apply for help, they will probably not get the money in time. More information on help for renters and how to navigate the eviction process is available at https://www.justicecourts.maricopa.gov/case-types/evictions.

Maricopa County eviction filings are on pace to climb to above 82,000 in 2023. That will be the highest annual count of renters in danger of losing their homes since the Great Recession in 2007.

Reach the reporter at catherine.reagor@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8040. Follow her on Twitter @CatherineReagor.

A grant from the Arizona Community Foundation supports coverage of housing insecurity on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Metro Phoenix evictions climb again in August, close to monthly record