2024 Evictions in Dallas County: Understanding Filings, Outcomes, and
Since 2020, CPAL has reported eviction filing data for Dallas County in briefs and presentations and through the North Texas Eviction Project.
For the first time, we are also able to report on the lifecycle of eviction cases in Dallas County, from the initial eviction filing to judgment to execution of the writ of possession. Better understanding the lifecycle of eviction proceedings is important as we seek opportunities to help tenants remain stably housed. Ensuring tenants physically receive their citation and know to appear in court, for example, is a necessary first step in hearing the complete facts of the case: if a tenant does not know an eviction has been filed against them, then they will not have an opportunity to share their side of the story and will lose their case by default.
Exploring the lifecycle of eviction cases by Justice of the Peace court also illustrates the uneven experience of tenants in eviction proceedings across Dallas County. How tenants are notified of the eviction filing, how quickly their case moves, and how often tenants prevail all vary widely, depending on the assigned court.
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Dallas’ $200 Million (Housing) Question
CPAL’s assessment of rental affordability in Dallas is informing conversations about public investment in affordable housing.
- As of 2021, Dallas had a 33,000+ unit gap in affordable rental housing. Without action, this shortage of affordable housing units is projected to nearly triple to 83,500 units by 2030.
- Families with 4+ people are particularly vulnerable: there are 50 three-bedroom units affordable for every 100 households at or below 50% AMI, dropping to 15 three-bedroom units affordable for every 100 households by 2030.
2024 Evictions in Dallas County: Understanding Filings, Outcomes, and
CPAL examines eviction cases in Dallas County in 2024, including record-high filings, varying courtroom outcomes, citation service methods, and the households ultimately
- In 2024, landlords filed 50,117 evictions in Dallas County – 200 per business day — the highest level in 25 years of available data.
- Across Dallas County in 2024, 52% of eviction cases favored the landlord, and 48% favored the tenant. However, case outcomes, especially in contested cases, varied by Justice of the Peace court.
- Ultimately, 17% of eviction cases ended with the execution of a writ of possession, meaning the tenants and their belongings were physically removed from the rental unit.
SMU Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center partnership
CPAL and the Deason Center are working to identify leverage points to reduce pretrial detention in Dallas County.
- Because pretrial detention can jeopardize a person’s employment, family stability, housing, and health, charging delays are a major issue for children and families.
- After an arrest, a prosecutor decides whether to file formal charges against an individual. In Texas, prosecutors can take up to 6 months to make that decision, and an arrested person can be held in jail for half of that time.