Eviction trends in Marion County (2010-2016)

Abstract

Indianapolis ranks 14th in eviction rates among large U.S. cities for which data is available. An eviction is when a tenant is removed from a landlord’s property, either through the court system (formal) or outside of the court system (informal). Evictions and forced relocation can lead to housing instability and homelessness for families and individuals, as well as a loss of community resources, such as neighborhood connections and transportation. Indiana has several state laws and local ordinances governing evictions and landlord-tenant relationships. However, Indiana remains one of eight states that does not protect tenants against landlord retaliation. Indiana evictions occur at the township level, adding another layer of jurisdiction for this process. Given the complexity and implications of the eviction process, this report uses research conducted in partnership with the Coalition for Homelessness and Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) to examine what eviction-related trends exist in Marion County.