Current:Home > NewsEvictions surge in Phoenix as rent increases prompt housing crisis -Wealth Momentum Network
Evictions surge in Phoenix as rent increases prompt housing crisis
View
Date:2025-04-13 22:22:49
When Mahogany Kennedy knocks on a door in Phoenix, Arizona, it usually means someone is about to become homeless. As one of 26 constables in Maricopa County, it's her job to serve eviction notices.
"Eviction numbers have truly gone up over the past few months," Kennedy said. "...Every day I'm evicting, five days a week.
In the Phoenix area, evictions are surging to record highs. Since March of last year, Maricopa County has led the nation in the number of eviction filings.
During one work day, Kennedy attempted to serve three evictions, including one for a three-bedroom apartment that seven people used to call home. Resident Heavyn Glascow was the last to leave.
"Everything is so expensive right now, which is crazy," Glascow said.
In her South Phoenix courtroom, Judge Anna Huberman says she hears as many as 500 eviction cases a month, more than she did right after the pandemic-era eviction moratorium ended three years ago.
"There was a belief that there would be a large number of filings, that evictions would go up, and they did not go up. There wasn't a tsunami," Huberman said.
But now, things are different.
Evictions are up 21% in Maricopa County, topping 83,000 filings in 2023, according to officials.
About 3.6 million eviction notices are filed annually nationwide, but what's changing is where they're happening, according to Princeton University's Eviction Lab, which tracks the issue in 34 cities. At least 14 cities have seen double-digit increases in evictions since 2019. Most are in the Sun Belt, where populations are growing and rents are rising.
"It's parents and children who are at the heart of the eviction crisis," said Dr. Carl Gershenson, who runs the Eviction Lab. "These families are just one unexpected expense away from eviction."
Kristopher Aranda lived with his girlfriend in Phoenix for seven years. The lease was in her name when she lost her battle with cancer in January. After not working for months in order to care for her, Aranda says he couldn't come up with the $3,000 needed to stay.
Still grieving, an emotional Aranda said he has "no idea" where he's going to go.
"I got to start from scratch," he said.
And as Aranda starts over, Constable Kennedy is on her way to another door with another eviction order.
- In:
- Arizona
- Maricopa County
- Homelessness
- Rents
- Phoenix
- Housing Crisis
Emmy Award-winning journalist Kris Van Cleave is the senior transportation correspondent for CBS News based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also serves as a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms.
TwitterveryGood! (5259)
Related
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Polaris Dawn was a mission for the history books: Look back at the biggest moments
- Jane’s Addiction cancels its tour after onstage concert fracas
- Judge finds woman incompetent to stand trial in fatal stabbing of 3-year-old outside supermarket
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Don't listen to Trump's lies. Haitian chef explains country's rich culinary tradition.
- The Coast Guard will hear from former OceanGate employees about the Titan implosion
- Could YOU pass a citizenship test?
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- You'll Be Royally Flushed by the Awkward Way Kate Middleton Met Brother James Middleton's Wife
Ranking
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- A New York woman is challenging Miss America, Miss World rules banning mothers from beauty pageants
- Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan Shares Why She Was “Terrified” at the 2024 Emmys
- An 8-year-old Ohio girl drove an SUV on a solo Target run
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Kate Spade's Top 100 Under $100: $259 Bag for Just $49 Today Only, Plus Extra 20% Off Select Styles
- The Coast Guard will hear from former OceanGate employees about the Titan implosion
- Giants' Heliot Ramos becomes first right-handed batter to hit homer into McCovey Cove
Recommendation
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
2024 Emmys: RuPaul’s Drag Race Stars Shut Down Claim They Walked Out During Traitors Win
Louisville interim police chief will lead department in permanent role
Baby Reindeer’s Nava Mau Reveals the Biggest Celeb Fan of the Series
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Wisconsin’s voter-approved cash bail measures will stand under judge’s ruling
Lutherans in Walz’s Minnesota put potlucks before politics during divisive election season
Chiefs show gap between them and other contenders is still quite large