Phoenix renters experienced second worst eviction orders in 2025

While rent prices dipped in 2025, metro Phoenix renters encountered the second-worst eviction notices from their landlords.

In 2025, the Valley saw 84,833 eviction cases filed, while 2024 held the record of 87,130 filings, according to the Maricopa County Justice Courts.

The lack of affordable housing and renters paying more than they can afford were the primary issues. Arizona county and city leaders have said help via new programs and assistance is on the way.

Catherine Reagor, a senior real estate reporter for The Arizona Republic, joins “Arizona Horizon” to discuss how those measures may not be enough to help people facing eviction or who have been evicted.

“We have apartments going up, but they’re not affordable,” Reagor said, “…we really have not had a lot of change to the process to help people facing losing their home.”

According to Reagor, the rent increase can be attributed to the fact that a lot of big investors came into Arizona, bought an apartment complex, renovated it, and raised the rent.

“There’s some data saying Arizona has more concessions for apartments than any other major city,” Reagor explained, “…but it’s because we have all these high-end apartments…and they are not affordable for the typical median income.”

Data shows 50% of metro Phoenix renters are stretched, paying more than 30% of their income. Affordable housing for Arizona residents is being developed, but not at the same rate as rent prices are going up.

“…it’s not as profitable for an investor to do that,” Reagor said, “…we had different incentives to help, and some of that went away, and we need to try and get it back. The aid and support isn’t as strong…a lot of the federal money is on hold…affordable developers were reliant on that.”

Reagor explained that some of the bills intended to help Arizona residents will be to help limit fees, including legal fees for people in eviction, landlords’ ability to provide information on where to get help if you can’t pay your rent, and property management training.

“But there are also most of them backed by Democrats,” Reagor said, “…and unfortunately in the past, because of the sway of the house…the eviction bills haven’t gone anywhere.”