What does this score mean?

A score of 100 represents racial equity, meaning there are no racial disparities in the outcomes between black and white populations. The lower the Equity Score, the greater the disparity.

For Evictions, a score of 100 – a score reflecting racial equity – would mean renters in majority-black and majority-white census tracts are equally likely to be evicted. It is important to note that for this indicator, equity is not our only goal; we also want to improve outcomes for all.

WHAT DOES THIS ANALYSIS MEAN?

In the St. Louis region, evictions are nearly three times as prevalent among renters in majority-black census tracts as among renters in majority-white census tracts. In St. Louis County, renters in majority-black census tracts are nearly 3.5 times more likely to be evicted (84.8 evictions per 1,000 households compared to 22.7). In St. Clair County and the City of St. Louis, the disparity is over 2.5 times: 54.7 evictions in majority-black census tracts compared to 20.2 in St. Clair, and 46.5 evictions in majority-black census tracts relative to 21.1 in St. Louis City.

If eviction rates were equitable, the number of evictions in majority-black census tracts would have been:

• 1,048 fewer in the City of St. Louis,
• 352 fewer in St. Clair County, and
• 1,936 fewer in St. Louis County.

Why Do Evictions Matter?

Evictions have many long-term consequences for individuals and families. The prevalence of evictions leads to a host of other problems – unaffordable housing and insufficient incomes to name the most obvious. Having a history of eviction, or even being present in landlord-tenant court, may lead to tenant blacklisting and homelessness. Blacklisting is when a landlord will not accept a tenant based on a prior history of eviction. Adding complexity to this problem, researchers believe there are many more cases of informal eviction, where landlords request or pressure tenants to leave without involving the court.

The Eviction Lab states, “Low-income women, especially poor women of color, have a high risk of eviction. Research has shown domestic violence victims and families with children are also at particularly high risk for eviction.” The lack of stable housing is found to be strongly correlated with poorer health outcomes, child poverty, and food insecurity. Children experiencing housing instability and homelessness are found more likely to be chronically absent and to perform poorly on tests.

Which Calls to Action from the Ferguson Commission’s report are linked with this indicator?

While the Ferguson Commission’s report does not address evictions, many calls to action were related to the provision of affordable housing. It is possible that a reduction in the number of evictions would serve to improve neighborhood stability and public safety.

Questions for Further Investigation:

• Why is there a racial disparity in Evictions?
• What can St. Louis do to reduce racial disparities in Evictions?
• What initiatives are currently underway to reduce racial disparities in Evictions?

Evictions Data