Housing Justice Now, along with our coalition partners are calling on the elected leaders of Winston Salem and Forsyth County to take meaningful action to address our county's staggeringly high eviction rate.

Forsyth County has the 16th highest eviction rate in the nation. These evictions disproportionally affect black women and their children and have long term consequences for the health and safety of the women and children as well as the community as a whole.

The eviction process is fast paced and extremely difficult to navigate without the assistance of an attorney.

Nationwide, 90% of landlords show up to court with an attorney while as little as 3% of tenants do. This means tenants almost always lose - EVEN WHEN THIER CASE IS WINNABLE. This is a miscarraige of justice.

Municipalities across the country are taking action to give renters a fair day in court by guaranteeing the right to an attorney. Defendants are granted this right in most other cases where they will be facing the court - eviction court should be no different.

Stand up for HOUSING JUSTICE and RACIAL JUSTICE and demand our leaders take action!  

Sources:

Displaced in the Sun Belt

ACLU

Eviction Lab Rankings