Facing Eviction: Profiles, Predictors, Psychology, and Prevention

The aim of this study was to gain insight into the population of tenants in five Dutch cities who are at risk of being evicted from their homes as a result of rent arrears. 495 tenants of housing associations who received a second summons from a bailiff because of rent arrears were interviewed. Six months after each interview, inquiries about the tenant in question were made to the housing association to determine the current living situation. We found five subgroups of tenants at risk of eviction. These groups differed greatly from each other in terms of risk factors and care needs. It also became clear that this population of tenants is vulnerable and complex, often with multiple setbacks in different areas of life. In addition, the effect of the fulfillment of basic psychological needs on coping behavior was investigated. This shows that tenants who felt autonomous, competent and related tended to show more problem-solving coping strategies and less avoidant coping behavior. A literature review shows that there is still very little evidence for effective interventions to prevent evictions. This research shows that the population of tenants at risk of eviction is heterogeneous and complex. Person-centered, targeted interventions are needed to prevent evictions at an early stage.