Evictions in Minnesota are on the rise with more than 24,000 last year alone

MOORHEAD — On any given day, a family in Minnesota could be paying a car payment, a medical bill, or unexpected expenses on top of paying rent.

But when they miss that deadline, or violate their lease, they're faced with an eviction notice.

"During the pandemic, there was a hold put on evictions. There was a restriction on what evictions could be filed, and it was pretty limited. So that protected people for a long time," said Anne Hoefgen, Executive Director of Legal Services of Northwest.

When those restrictions were lifted in 2021 and 2022, data from the Minnesota Housing Partnership shows that eviction filings jumped 8% to more than 24,211 evictions in 2023.

But there is help for people facing evictions and you don't have to leave home to get it.

The Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota are taking advantage of Zoom courts in 22 counties.

"These regional housing courts have this unique thing where they are coordinating across thousands of miles, and it really allows people to attend court without having to take as much time off work without having to drive to a courthouse, pay for gas, maybe have childcare issues, work," Hoefgen said.

Their team of 35 people provides legal advice to tenants in Zoom breakout rooms before the remote hearing.

"We give them a real reality check on whether or not they have a good, solid case, like, here's where your rights are. There is a procedural defect, and I think we can get this evicted and buy you more time. Let's work with another nonprofit, like a community action program, to get your rent paid," Hoefgen said.

If there is no legal argument, Hoefgen says they can help with a settlement agreement to give you more time to move and the notice off your record.

"It allows us to be there as legal aid attorneys providing representation. Landlords, more often than not, have attorneys representing them, and there's a power imbalance and just a knowledge imbalance of what's possible and what's reasonable," Hoefgen said.

Before the transition to coordinated housing calendars and virtual court during the pandemic, Hoefgen says they've helped 436 people who called for their services in 2019.

That number doubled to 841 in 2023, when they were able to show up in more eviction court hearings.

They can serve people up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. To see if you qualify, you can call the office at 1-800-450-8585 or visit their website.

They take applications from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.