The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report on eviction data collection. Estimates suggest that millions of renters are evicted each year, but according to the report, there is little comprehensive data on evictions. Estimates are primarily based on two sources: court records and surveys. GAO notes that these sources collect different data and may not paint the whole picture. Court records only represent filed evictions—not informal ones. Question design, response rate, and more affect survey accuracy.
According to GAO, the most recent national eviction estimates are based primarily on two sources:
- American Housing Survey. In 2017, the Census Bureau included survey questions designed to count forced moves due to evictions. Researchers estimated a national physical eviction rate of 5.3 percent based on the results of these questions. However, HUD officials and researchers noted the survey's small sample size may limit the accuracy of these estimates.
- Eviction court records. The Eviction Lab at Princeton University estimated 7.8 evictions were filed per 100 renting households nationally in 2018. This estimate was based on available court record data and statistical modeling. However, these records may not be accurate due to unavailability of records and lack of records on informal eviction proceedings.
Federal and local stakeholders interviewed by GAO suggested that eviction data could be improved by developing a national database of court records or strengthening surveys. GAO noted key practices for such efforts, including setting clearly defined goals for data collection.