Charlotte Evictions Spike 71%, Courts Overloaded

Eviction Trends and Household Impact

Amid an escalating housing affordability crisis, eviction trends in Mecklenburg County are sharply rising.

Eviction filings have surged by 37% over the past year. A significant 65% of cases were granted in full or in part—a 5% increase. This uptick underscores the precarious state of tenant rights and housing stability. The eviction spike highlights the post-COVID rental economy unraveling, as seen nationwide. The availability of affordable rental units is constrained due to limited new unit completions projected in 2025, contributing further to the housing crisis.

The lack of affordable housing remains a driving factor in the crisis. In Charlotte, the situation is particularly dire, contributing to the broader statewide crisis. The state has seen nearly 200,000 eviction filings. High fair market rents and a decline in low-cost housing intensify the county's housing instability.

A troubling 61% of renters earning below $75,000 annually are cost-burdened. The eviction crisis endangers household security.

This situation requires effective intervention for a sustainable resolution.

Homelessness and Shelter Strain

As unsheltered homelessness reaches alarming heights, Charlotte-Mecklenburg faces an urgent crisis. The number of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness has more than doubled since 2020, rising to 444 in 2025. Unsheltered homelessness in Charlotte reached a 15-year high as of January, highlighting the severity of the issue. Demographic shifts in shelter use highlight critical strain. There is a 30% decrease in families with minor children utilizing shelter resources due to capacity constraints. Moreover, adult-only households have surged by 11%. Competition for limited beds intensifies, as only one shelter provides for families and single women. Additionally, racially disproportionate impacts are evident. Black or African American individuals comprise 75% of the homeless population. Local outreach efforts are overwhelmed. They strain to meet the needs of the rising unsheltered homeless population.

Affordable Housing Crisis

The soaring demand for housing in Charlotte has quickly outpaced the supply. This has intensified the city's affordable housing crisis. Between 2022 and 2023, over 49,000 residents moved to the area. This influx, combined with the underproduction of housing units over the past decade, has exacerbated the situation. Affordability remains a pressing issue. Home prices have surged 72% since 2017, making homeownership increasingly unattainable. Rental assistance programs and innovative affordable housing strategies are essential. These measures are vital to mitigate the escalating crisis. Recently, enhanced tenant protections like those adopted in Oakland have been discussed in several cities affected by similar housing pressures.

Court System and Resource Challenges

Why are eviction cases surging beyond control in Charlotte?

The surge of eviction filings in Mecklenburg County has increased by 37% within a year. This rise has greatly overstressed the court system, impacting court efficiency.

It adds over 13,000 at-risk households, placing immense pressure on judicial processes. With magistrates conducting more frequent hearings, processing times are escalating, and the strain on legal resources is palpable.

Judges, magistrates, and court staff are grappling with increased caseloads, leading to delays in scheduling and resolutions. Elevated workloads have also stretched legal resource allocation thin, affecting other civil cases.

Moreover, administrative resources are struggling to keep up with demand. This impacts law enforcement tasked with executing eviction orders.

The need for enhanced court efficiency becomes urgent.

Assessment

The drastic rise in Charlotte's eviction rates has unleashed a cascade of challenges. Overwhelmed court systems and a strained social safety net are at the forefront.

With homelessness increasing and affordable housing scarce, the community faces an urgent crisis. The need for immediate, coordinated action is paramount.

Stabilizing affected households and addressing systemic resource gaps are critical. As the situation escalates, the stakes for real estate stakeholders grow ever more critical.

Potential shifts in investment environments and urban planning priorities signal significant changes ahead.

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