Judge says eviction diversion program off to promising start
“Lawrence Township’s small claims court in June became one of two courts in Indiana to take part in a nationwide eviction diversion pilot program run by the National Center for State Courts and funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation. Since then, Judge Kimberly Bacon said she has hired a court facilitator and a court navigator, both of whom specialize in helping people who are facing eviction connect with legal and rental assistance services.
Bacon also has extended the timetable for eviction filings. Instead of having to appear in court within seven days, renters have three weeks to work with services.
“It allows for a tenant to be able to pay and stay but also it allows for that landlord to not have to find a new tenant and start a new relationship over and over again every 30 days, so it’s beneficial to all parties,” she said.”
I wish I could be more optimistic about this program. The reality is that Lawrence Township has the lowest number of evictions filings in Marion County. For Judge Bacon to infer that tenants who go through diversion are able to pay and stay is optimistic at best and likely wrong. Most tenants who are in evictions proceedings are so because they cannot pay their rent and are in arrears. Also, with Marion county apartments at 96% occupancy, there is little incentive for landlords to wait and fewer who care about tenant turnover.
This might be a start, and having a court facilitator and navigator is great, but I suspect it will do little to curb the evictions crisis in Indianapolis.
