This month, our focus is on housing stability. For most Texas women, housing is their largest monthly expense. Where a woman lives determines where her children go to school, how long her commute to work is, and whether she feels safe.
Did you know, in Texas the eviction rate is 2.17 percent? This means there are 206 evictions every day. A number that is expected to increase with the recent COVID-19 economic downturn.
Did you know that 90 percent of landlords have an attorney for eviction hearings but 90 percent of tenants do not?
Did you know that 1 in 5 Black women and 1 in 12 Latinas report having been evicted at least once as adults compared to 1 in 15 White women?
While we may first think of eviction as the result of rent nonpayment, there are many other causes, including damage caused to a unit by a domestic violence abuser or children playing. Evictions result in homelessness, school changes and nonattendance, court records, bad credit and job loss. They make it harder to find subsequent housing and result in a downward spiral to lower quality housing.
Affordable, quality housing is the anchor for economic security for Texas women and their families. If these numbers resonate with you, or maybe you have experienced eviction yourself, call your State Senator or Representative and encourage them to make housing stability and tenants rights a priority in the upcoming legislative session.
As always, thank you for being a part of Texas Women’s Foundation’s Army of Advocates and for joining us in the movement to achieve equity for Texas women, girls and their families. Stay tuned for more about housing stability as we near Texas 87th Legislation Session. Please share this information with others to also get involved!