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The Eviction Diversion Initiative (EDI) interim report, Reimagining Housing Court: A Framework for Court-Based Eviction Diversion, presents findings from 24 state and local court-based eviction diversion programs. Launched in 2021, NCSC’s EDI grant program sought to help courts create lasting, transformative change by implementing court-based eviction diversion programs and making related court improvements. The core idea behind the initiative is to change housing courts into places of support and collaboration. The interim report details how to reimagine the court process to provide landlords and tenants with resources and alternatives to eviction. It offers a new framework for housing courts, outlines steps for designing effective eviction diversion programs, and details the outcomes and impacts of implementing diversion programs. |  A tenant works with a social worker to apply for rental assistance through the Las Vegas Justice Court’s eviction diversion program. |
Across the EDI cohort, 89% of the cases that engaged with a diversion program resulted in a settlement agreement or voluntary dismissal, meaning the case was resolved without an eviction judgment against the tenant.
The interim report identifies additional court and community benefits observed across EDI program sites, including:
- Fewer eviction judgments
- Higher appearance rates
- More sealed eviction records
- Stronger connections to resources
- Increased trust and confidence in the justice system
Read the full report to learn how to become part of the housing court transformation in your community.
Questions? Contact project director Samira Nazem for more information.
Resources
- Guiding Principles for Civil Diversion Programs Resolution 3-2024 adopted by the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators.
- NCSC’s Eviction Diversion Resources compiles best practices, national examples, case studies, and other resources for court-based eviction diversion programs and related court reform efforts.
- NCSC’s Access to Justice Team offers resources for making courts more accessible and inclusive including guidance on improving appearance rates and hands-on training and advice about plain language, court form design , and user testing.
- The Eviction Lab at Princeton University creates data, interactive tools, and research to help neighbors and policymakers understand the eviction crisis.
- NCSC’s annual State of State Courts Survey tracks public trust and confidence in the courts and provides strategic insights on how courts can take steps to increase that trust.