Eviction Hurts Kids

December 11, 2025

Eviction Hurts Kids

The Overlooked Impact on Education and Family Stability

Eviction is more than a housing crisis—it’s a family crisis. In 2023, there were more than 35,000 eviction filings in Tarrant County, averaging nearly 3,000 per month. That’s approximately 4 evictions for every 10 renters—five times the national average. [1] The most affected households are disproportionately headed by single mothers, and families who are Black or Hispanic.

North Texas Evictions Per 10 Renters

“Due to the perfect storm of record high rent rates, lack of affordable child care and wages that have stagnated, low-income families headed by single mothers are simply priced out of the market. Even working multiple jobs, single mothers have a difficult time keeping a roof over their children’s heads,” said Carol Klocek, CEO of Center for Transforming Lives.

The consequences ripple far beyond losing a home:

• Children’s education suffers.
  Eviction often leads to school changes, missed days, and falling behind academically. Kids who move because of eviction are more likely to repeat grades and less likely to graduate.[2]
• Health and development are at risk.
  Evicted individuals face higher rates of depression, anxiety and even suicide.[3]^,[4] Babies exposed to eviction in utero are more likely to be born preterm or underweight.[5]
• The financial fallout is long-term.
  Eviction often leads to lasting damage: lower earnings, reduced credit scores, and a harder path to homeownership.[6]^{, [7]} Evictions are a common history among those who experience homelessness.

Eviction is not just a temporary setback—it’s a disruption with lasting effects on children’s futures.

Following a unanimous vote by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, Center for Transforming Lives was recently awarded $2.3 million of the Community Outreach Fund to provide critical rental and utility assistance to low-income households facing eviction, utility disconnection and homelessness. Read more about this key resource for families facing eviction: Tarrant County Community Outreach Fund

To delve deeper into the insights shared here, we invite you to read the full publication Disrupting Poverty and Promoting Well-Being for Single Mother Families in Tarrant County www.transforminglives.org/research.