Keeping People Housed in Franklin County
Investing in Eviction Defense Saves Money
About the Tenant Advocacy Project
Legal Aid’s Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP) plays a critical role in helping tenants in Franklin County avoid eviction and its devastating consequences. With a growing presence in the courts, TAP offers free legal representation to income-eligible tenants, particularly in the City of Columbus, where the majority of eviction filings occur. TAP's work has transformed the eviction process, providing tenants with a fighting chance to remain in their homes.
The Cost
A recent analysis by Stout, commissioned by the Columbus City Council, highlights the financial benefits of implementing a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Annual Costs: The estimated cost to fully implement an eviction right to counsel across Franklin County is $6.1 million annually, with $5.1 million needed for Columbus and $1 million for the rest of Franklin County.
Cost Savings: For every $1.00 invested in an eviction right to counsel, the City of Columbus and Franklin County could see a return of at least $4.00 in economic benefits, including reduced social safety net costs.
Fiscal Impact: The program could generate
$24.4 million in annual economic benefits by reducing costs related to social services, crime prevention, healthcare, and education.
The Impact
Without legal representation in eviction court,
92% of tenants are at serious risk of eviction-related displacement. LASCO's assistance reduces the likelihood of disruptive displacement due to eviction, cutting the risk from 92% to just
18%.
Legal Aid's Impact in 2023
TAP has made significant strides in reducing the risk of disruptive displacement for tenants:
Representation
In 2023, TAP represented 1,718 households, making up 30.5% of the 5,630 income-eligible tenants who appeared in court, out of a total of 24,000 eviction filings.
Eviction Prevention
TAP helped 423 households avoid eviction, allowing them to remain in their homes.
Extended Move-Out Dates
584 households received more time to move through negotiated settlements, with represented tenants gaining an average of 29.4 days—83% more time than unrepresented tenants.
Housing Assistance Preservation
132 households retained crucial housing assistance, preventing the loss of their homes.
Racial Disparities in Evictions
Franklin County's eviction filings reveal stark racial disparities:
High Eviction Areas
Nine of the ten zip codes with the highest eviction rates in Columbus have a higher proportion of Black or African American residents than the county average.
LASCO Client Demographics
In 2023, 64% of TAP clients identified as Black or African American, and 71% identified as female.
Household Impact
Evictions disproportionately affect families with children:
Children Affected
TAP’s 2023 caseload included 1,718 clients, with half of them having children. Approximately 2,087 children were impacted by eviction proceedings.