In response to a growing housing crisis, Cincinnati city officials are ramping up efforts to prevent evictions and keep residents housed. Over the summer of 2024, eviction filings in the city surged to over 3,600 cases. With housing insecurity on the rise, the city has launched multiple initiatives and is seeking federal funding to support legal assistance and mediation services for at-risk tenants.

Eviction Filings Surge in Summer 2024

According to data from the Princeton University Eviction Lab, Cincinnati recorded 3,622 eviction filings during the summer months of 2024. These figures highlight the urgency of addressing housing instability across the city, especially in the face of stricter eviction laws in Ohio compared to many other states.

Legal Protection Gaps in Ohio

Ohio’s eviction laws provide fewer protections for tenants than those in other states. Hamilton County Clerk of Courts representative Pavan Parikh explained that legal safeguards for tenants vary widely across jurisdictions in Ohio. This inconsistency has led to a fragmented approach to addressing evictions, prompting local officials to take targeted action at the city level.

Access to Counsel, A Key Strategy

To tackle the issue, the City of Cincinnati has introduced the Access to Counsel initiative, a multi-layered legal assistance program aimed at supporting tenants facing eviction. The plan includes different support options depending on a tenant’s legal situation and the stage of the eviction process.

Three Active Workstreams to Support Tenants

The city’s implementation plan consists of several key components:

• Workstream 1 provides help to tenants who receive a three-day notice to vacate, with support from the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.
• Workstream 2 offers full legal representation to tenants who have a scheduled court date, handled by the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati.
• Workstream 3 ensures that tenants without an attorney on their court date receive same-day, limited legal support. This service is administered by the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Help Center.

Each of these workstreams is designed to intervene at crucial points in the eviction process and ensure that tenants are not navigating the legal system alone.

Promising Early Results from Legal Aid Pilot

The pilot program for same-day legal representation is already showing positive results. According to Nick Zingarelli of the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Help Center, the early data indicates that 82 percent of fully resolved cases with this support have been dismissed. Of 23 cases tracked, 19 were either settled by agreement or dismissed after trial. This high dismissal rate suggests that legal aid can significantly influence case outcomes for vulnerable tenants.

$1.4 Million HUD Grant Application in Progress

To expand the reach and sustainability of its eviction prevention programs, the city has applied for $1.4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This grant, part of the HUD Eviction Protection Grant Program, would help cover legal services for tenants and build a long-term framework for eviction prevention in Cincinnati. Deanna White from the Cincinnati City Manager’s Office explained that the city is leveraging both public and private funds to establish a reliable and scalable model. The HUD grant would be a critical addition to these financial resources.

Mediation Between Tenants and Landlords on the Horizon

In addition to legal representation, the city is preparing to introduce a fourth workstream focused on mediation. This next phase aims to bring tenants and landlords together to find alternative resolutions outside the courtroom. Although still in development, this approach could reduce case loads in court and foster more cooperative outcomes for both parties.

Advisory Firm Brought In for Strategic Support

To strengthen its approach, Cincinnati is working with the advisory firm Stout, which has supported similar initiatives in cities like Cleveland and Columbus. Stout is assisting with data analysis, cost assessment, and strategic planning. Their involvement will help the city track progress, measure effectiveness, and identify improvements in real-time.