DeLauro, Auchincloss Introduce the We Need Eviction Data Now Act

Legislation To Create Federal Database to Track Evictions

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) and Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04) today introduced the We Need Eviction Data Now Act of 2021 which would create a national database to standardize data and track evictions. This legislation would also establish a Federal Advisory Committee on Eviction Research to make recommendations related to eviction data collection and create policies to prevent the removal of families and individuals from their homes.

After the recent ruling by the Supreme Court to end the Biden administration's eviction moratorium, nearly 6.5 million people could face eviction over the next few months. Currently, the federal government has no way of tracking evictions. A tracking system would provide critical data for policymakers to craft more evidence-based legislation to prevent evictions and allocate related resources.

"If the federal government does not intervene quickly with additional measures to prevent evictions and allocate federal resources, we will continue to see a wave of evictions across the country," said Congresswoman DeLauro."In addition to the personal trauma that comes with a family losing their home, mass evictions exacerbate a devastating public health crisis by contributing to a surge of the Delta variant. While we must continue to fight to extend the federal eviction moratorium and distribute existing federal resources to keep families in their homes, we must pass this bill to allow us to track displacement. I am proud to join my colleague, Congressman Auchincloss, in taking this important step toward more informed policymaking. Only with good data can we properly allocate federal resources to assist families struggling to keep their homes."

"In order to help tenants stay housed, we must understand the discrepant impact of evictions in neighborhoods across the country," said Congressman Auchincloss."These disparities exist in my district, which is why I am working with Chairwoman DeLauro to reintroduce the We Need Eviction Data Now Act. By developing a comprehensive federal eviction database, we are taking the first step needed to ensure housing stability for all Americans."

"Nearly 6.5 million households are currently behind on rent and are at risk of losing their homes in the coming weeks and months as the pandemic continues to surge," said Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. "This impending eviction crisis underscores the need for both urgent action to keep renters stably housed now and long-term solutions, including the 'We Need Eviction Data Now Act.' This legislation would create a national database to track evictions, providing advocates and policymakers at all levels of government with the data they need to better ensure housing stability among America's lowest-income and most marginalized renters. We look forward to working with Representative DeLauro to enact this legislation."

"Long before the current pandemic, the U.S. was gripped by an eviction crisis. Given the economic devastation wrought by Coronavirus, the We Need Eviction Data Now Act from Representatives DeLauro and Auchincloss is more essential than ever to our efforts to curb the crisis," said Shamus Roller, Executive Director for the National Housing Law Project. "Currently, there is no system in place to measure the extent of the eviction crisis nationwide. Comprehensive data collection will help us combat the devastating effects of eviction on families, create more responsive policies, and reduce housing instability and homelessness."

"Due to the expiration of the federal eviction moratorium the threat of eviction is a reality for millions of families," said Matthew Desmond, award-winning author, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. "Passing the We Need Eviction Data Now Act would be a big step forward, deepening our understanding of the problem and preventing families from experiencing the devastating consequences of displacement. We know that preventing evictions and keeping families housed benefits not only those directly affected, but their communities as well. Everyone needs a safe and affordable home. I'm proud to support this bill, which will ultimately help policymakers target federal resources and protect working people and families across the country from the long-term harm of evictions."