WASHINGTON, D.C. — Faced with soaring rates of evictions and persistent housing instability, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has stepped up with a $40 million investment to continue its groundbreaking Eviction Protection Grant Program (EPGP). This initiative is helping tenants facing eviction access critical legal services and keep a roof over their heads. With grantees providing no-cost legal support in 16 states, the program is already proving to be a lifeline for thousands of families on the brink of displacement.
“This latest round of funding builds on this program’s success in helping over 44,000 households mitigate the negative consequences of eviction,” said HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman. “Legal experts supported by this funding help provide housing stability across the country.”
Why the Stakes Have Never Been Higher
Evictions aren’t just about losing a home— they shatter stability for families and communities alike. When tenants are forced out, their lives spiral. Children miss school, families fall into poverty, and countless individuals face lasting economic and psychological harm. Eviction triggers devastating ripple effects, leading to job loss, health issues, and entrenched homelessness. Put simply, it’s not just a personal crisis—it’s a public one.
Despite the devastating costs of evictions, most tenants walk into the courtroom—or worse, are forced out of their homes without legal recourse—empty-handed. The reality? Landlords often have access to legal representation, while tenants rarely do. The imbalance is staggering and contributes to unfair outcomes. HUD’s EPGP program addresses this head-on by giving tenants access to legal resources they may not otherwise have, evening the scales of justice and fostering stability.
How the EPGP Works
The Eviction Protection Grant Program focuses on four major pillars to ensure robust tenant support:
- Prevention: This means stopping eviction cases before they even make it to court, helping tenants find solutions to stay in their homes.
- Justice: Legal assistance ensures tenants can assert their housing rights, combat illegal evictions, and receive fair treatment in court.
- Diversion: HUD is promoting out-of-court resolutions, giving tenants and landlords the opportunity to compromise without courtroom battles.
- Relief: Beyond legal fights, the program connects tenants to resources that mitigate the long-term damage caused by eviction.
HUD launched the initiative in 2021 as part of a pandemic-era effort to stabilize families recovering from COVID-19’s economic fallout. However, the need for these services far outlasted the pandemic. Today, as inflation rises, affordable housing shrinks, and rents skyrocket, evictions have rebounded to—and in some cases surpassed—pre-pandemic rates. This latest round of grant funding couldn’t be more urgent.
The Tangible Impact
Since its inception, EPGP has made an undeniable difference. Initial funding of $40 million in 2021 and 2022 supported 21 grantees across 19 states, delivering real results. More than 44,000 households have been served so far, offering them a fighting chance to negotiate payment plans, fend off unfair practices, and stay in their homes.
The newly awarded $40 million will allow nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies across 16 states to expand their reach. This funding ensures that families in vulnerable situations have access to no-cost legal services like eviction prevention, mediation, and enforcement of housing rights.
Who Benefits from This Effort?
The Eviction Protection Grant Program isn’t just a safety net—it’s a targeted lifeline for those most in need. According to HUD’s findings, the households served include:
- Over half with at least one child, highlighting the impact on families battling housing instability.
- 18% with limited English proficiency, ensuring marginalized populations aren’t left behind.
- 29% with disabilities, addressing critical barriers to maintaining stable housing.
- Small but significant rural populations, who often face even fewer resources for eviction prevention.
The program also prioritizes communities disproportionately affected by housing insecurity, such as women, communities of color, and low-income households.
Beyond Immediate Relief
This program isn’t only about providing immediate legal defense—it’s about reshaping the system. HUD is using findings from the EPGP interim report, which examined the program’s implementation and outcomes in its early stages, to refine future strategies. This approach supports a culture of evidence-based policymaking, ensuring long-term improvements in eviction prevention tactics.
Legal support is just part of the puzzle. The research drives insights into what works, paving the way for future interventions not just from HUD, but across the housing ecosystem. The upcoming Eviction Protection Grant Program Final Report will deepen this understanding, providing data to inform housing policies nationwide.
The Bigger Picture
The Eviction Protection Grant Program is more than a sum of its funding—it’s a declaration that housing stability is a foundational human need. Evictions don’t just destabilize families; they destabilize communities. Keeping people housed strengthens neighborhoods, bolsters the economy, and provides a shot at a brighter collective future.
HUD’s continued commitment to EPGP is a recognition that evictions aren’t inevitable. They’re the product of systemic inequities that can, and must, be addressed. By funding legal assistance, HUD is giving tenants a voice in a system that often silences them—a voice that can secure stability, dignity, and justice for countless families.
This $40 million investment is a step toward leveling the playing field and bolstering housing protections nationwide. But more work lies ahead. Rising housing costs and limited affordable rental options make it clear that eviction protections need to remain a priority at every level, from federal agencies to local communities. For now, HUD’s initiative is a powerful reminder that a home isn’t just four walls—it’s a human right worth fighting for.
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