All about the Chattanooga tenant rep pilot

A report by the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga analyzed the Eviction Prevention Initiative running from Oct 2021 - Sept 2023 and found that:

• The dismissal rate was 56% for families with representation, compared to 28% for pro se tenants;
• 56% of represented families avoided evictions on their records;
• "In 74% of cases of cases where only the Defendant had an attorney, the case resolved in the Defendant's favor.  In 71% of cases where only the Plaintiff had an attorney, the case resolved in favor of the Plaintiff.  In other words, local data collected throughout 2022 show that legal representation significantly impacts the outcome of a case."
• Of the 106 cases that graduated from case management, 96 avoided homelessness;
• For those tenants where an eviction occurred, 37% received a reduced money judgment and 29% obtained additional time to move.

Then, a 2024 study by Stout found that an annual investment of $640,000 in tenant RTC for Hamilton County could yield more than $3 million in savings, which translates to $4.84 saved for every dollar spent.  The savings are due to avoided costs related to health care, homelessness, education, and employment.  The study's released was covered by The Chattanoogan. 

Finally, a 2024 qualitative analysis by the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga "interviewed tenants who received services from the EPI, landlords in Hamilton County, and legal counsel representing landlords. The interviews highlighted the aspirations of tenants to maintain secure, affordable housing and landlords’ desire to maintain positive relationships with tenants to ensure stable housing and diminish the financial burden of tenant turnover."