Hamilton County, Chattanooga eviction rate highest in 8 years

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The housing crisis has been the topic of much discussion for years as many find it increasingly difficult to obtain.

New alarming statistics revealed on Tuesday drive home the totality of the issue shared by attorneys with Legal Aid of East Tennessee.

Their agency, which has received ARPA funds from the city of Chattanooga, has worked with nearly 600 tenants since the beginning of 2023 in eviction hearings.

They explained their dataset goes through July 2024, and in that month, 403 eviction cases were filed.

That was the most in any month in eight years.

The two attorneys explained that there are a variety of factors in this rise.

Attorney Emily O’Donnell said, “We thought this was a pandemic related event. But there has been all sorts of fallout since and turnover in properties, and rising rents and stagnant wages, so it’s not going to resolve itself naturally.”

They also added that Tennessee’s laws on eviction notices are weak, and that tenants can find themselves in a difficult position in little time.

State law allows landlords to file an eviction notice as early as six days past the due date of rent.

Attorney Benjamin Danford added, “We talk to people all the time who say, “How can I be evicted, I haven’t gotten my 30 day notice.” There is absolutely no requirement for a 30 day notice.”

They say the trend does not appear to be slowing as there are over 120 cases this week alone.

However, they do suggest that incentivizing individuals to keep properties over housing companies is a place to start.

O’Donnell said, “The risk is that if we lose these local mom and pop landlords, the properties will be bought by out of towners who will either raise the property and build it back new or jack up the rent. They do not care about this community at all.”