Cincinnati’s eviction prevention programs helped 779 households during a 17-month period, according to a new report. About two-thirds of those households received legal representation in eviction court, with 86% avoiding “disruptive displacement” as a result.
“We are a city that is 60 percent renters. Evictions happened in this city and this county in less than 60 seconds before this work,” Council member Meeka Owens said, referencing how quickly eviction proceedings take in Hamilton County Courts when tenants don’t have legal representation.
The report spans from Jan. 1, 2024 through June 6, 2025, and includes data from several city-funded programs related to eviction prevention and assistance. Collectively, those programs are labeled as Stabilization Through Eviction Prevention (STEP), which includes:
- Rent assistance through the United Way of Greater Cincinnati
- Full legal representation for tenants facing eviction through the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati
- Same-day, limited legal representation for tenants facing eviction through the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Help Center
The newly released evaluation includes only services provided to residents of the city of Cincinnati using city funds, although the United Way and Legal Aid provide services to non-city residents as well…