Del. Bill Addresses Looming Eviction Risk

Keeping Delawareans in their homes who are at risk of eviction is the goal of legislation introduced in the Delaware General Assembly. (SB 101)

Tenants who are facing the greatest financial hardship could receive free legal counsel. Also, a diversion program would be created to resolve most landlord-tenant disputes before they go to court.

“Delaware and much of our nation has been facing an eviction crisis for decades, a costly and disparate reality for far too many vulnerable tenants that’s only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” State Senator Bryan Townsend, D- Newark / Bear said. “We have an opportunity now to rethink how the eviction process should work in Delaware and I believe we owe it to the 101,000 renters of this state to enact a fairer, more equitable system that will help families to stay in their homes when they face temporary financial instability. This past year, we’ve all seen how circumstances beyond anyone’s control can have wide-reaching impacts on the lives of our neighbors. No one should be cast into the streets before being given every opportunity to uphold their end of a lease agreement and yet that’s what happens to more than 18,000 households every year.” 

The bill would also establish that eviction proceedings could not be brought for any less than $500 or one month’s rent, whichever is greater.

“No family should be evicted without having access to counsel,” Delaware Legal Aid Society Director Daniel Atkins said. “Ensuring people facing eviction have legal help is not just humane, but it is also good public policy.  An independent advisory firm has found that for every dollar invested in eviction right to counsel, the State of Delaware will save $2.76 in costs that it otherwise would have spent on sheltering, rehousing, and otherwise dealing with the ramifications of evictions and homelessness.”