Landlords have now filed more evictions in 2023 (1,669) with four months left in the year than in all of 2022 (1,531), according to the latest Tenant Resource Center eviction data. Eviction filings rose slightly in the past three months: Landlords filed 630 eviction actions, involving approximately 493 households, from June 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023 -- a 4% increase compared to the previous quarter. EDDP staff and partners helped tenants in more hearings and trials than ever before, assisting in 913 hearings as well as 45 trials and motion hearings.

Most (80%) households had their cases dismissed due to the efforts of the EDDP, its partners, and the Dane CORE rental assistance program. Nearly half of these cases were dismissed through stipulated dismissal agreements.

Like previous quarters, most of the evictions were filed due to nonpayment of rent -- 480 households (79%) faced eviction due to unpaid rent with the average household owing roughly $2,615; another 46 (8%) due to non-rent lease violations; and 85 (13%) due to ‘holding over’ past the end of a lease term.

Fifty-six cases ended in judgements for eviction. 92% of these were default judgements due to the tenant not appearing for either their initial hearing date or their trial date. The rest of these were lost at trial. As of the date of this report, there are still 171 ongoing cases that are awaiting an outcome in court.

A total of 79 writs (orders from a judge authorizing the Sheriff to remove a tenant from their home) were executed in the last quarter.

The EDDP program and its partners continue to be a crucial force in lessening the power imbalance tenants face in eviction proceedings. EDDP attorneys represented tenants in 142 cases, achieved 91 dismissals, and represented 31 tenants in cases scheduled for trial.