HOUSTON, TX — Eviction filings remain a large and growing burden across Harris County, where more than 75,000 cases were filed last year, according to a recent Rice University Kinder Institute report. The numbers reflect how quickly a rent shortfall can snowball after a job loss, an illness or a spike in everyday costs.
ABC13 watched hearings at Harris County Precinct 7, Place 1, where tenant after tenant appeared before the court. Among them was Vanessa Crowe, who said she came in behind on rent and hoping to find legal help before her situation got worse.
Single mother Vanessa Crowe says childcare costs pushed her behind
Crowe said she fell behind while trying to balance life as a single mother and a college student. She said the cost of childcare was one of the biggest pressures on her budget.
She described a situation that is familiar to many tenants who face eviction: the bills keep coming even when income does not stretch far enough. Crowe said she entered court uncertain about what would happen and needing assistance to catch up on what she owed.
Kinder Institute data shows eviction pressure is concentrated in parts of Houston
A 2024 Kinder Institute map showed the heaviest concentration of eviction filings in the northern suburbs and south Houston. In some of those areas, eviction notices involved 30% of renters, which was roughly three times the county average.
The map also pointed to the MacGregor neighborhood, where Crowe said she lives, as an area with substantial pressure. There, 14.5% of renters faced eviction. The data helps explain why court dockets in the county have become so crowded.
Judge Wanda Adams says the docket has grown sharply over time
Judge Wanda Adams, who presides over the Precinct 7, Place 1 courtroom, said the number of eviction cases has increased noticeably. She recalled an earlier period when the court handled about 20 to 25 cases a day.
Adams said the docket later swelled to the point that court staff told her she had around 100 evictions scheduled on some days. She said many of the cases now involve renters who were hit by sudden setbacks, including job losses and deaths in the family.
Crowe nearly skipped court before finding help
Crowe said she seriously considered not showing up to her hearing because she did not think it would change the outcome. Instead, appearing in court connected her with legal assistance and rental aid.
That help gave her a chance to become current on the amount she owed. In a courtroom she feared could end in losing her home, she said showing up created a path to stay housed and start over.
What her outcome says about eviction court in Harris County
Crowe’s experience shows how important it can be for tenants to attend their hearings, even when they feel overwhelmed. In her case, the court was not just a place where eviction was being considered. It became the place where assistance was available.
Her case also reflects a broader reality in Harris County: many eviction filings are tied to temporary financial shocks rather than one-time mistakes. With filings still running high, the combination of court appearances, legal aid and rental assistance can make the difference between displacement and a reset.
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