An Analysis of Covid-Era Evictions for Massachusetts (Date: Dec 2021)

The project reviewed residential eviction filings across Massachusetts from 2020 through 2021, comparing the filings against era court docket records and U.S. census demographic and economic information. The goal was to detect patterns of filing; compare filing rates at the municipality level, and assess whether changes in policy (e.g., state and federal moratorium periods) matched corresponding shifts in volume. We also compared geographical variation, measured filings relative to rental households, and found some Gateway Cities had consistently higher activity.

The data analysis revealed that eviction rates varied across the state. Neighborhoods with more renters and lower median income saw more filings per rented unit. These findings were gathered to inform evidence-based housing conversations related to rent-relief program design and post-moratorium stability planning.