The Effect of Community Organizing on Landlords' Use of Eviction Filing: Evidence from U.S. Cities.

This article examines the decline in eviction filing rates in many large U.S. cities between 2000 and 2016, proposing that community organizing by nonprofit organizations focused on poverty and housing plays a significant role in reducing evictions. Using longitudinal data from 75 cities and an instrumental variable approach, the study finds that an increase of ten community nonprofits per 100,000 residents is associated with a ten percent reduction in eviction filings, an effect comparable to the impact of nonprofits on crime reduction. Community nonprofits include organizations engaged in crime prevention, neighborhood development, substance abuse programs, job training, youth activities, and civil rights advocacy. The findings suggest that these organizations enhance housing security by providing services, legal aid, and advocacy that influence landlord behavior and tenant stability, highlighting the importance of community social organization in addressing housing insecurity.