HOME Line hotline hits records as evictions surge post-Metro Surge

Source: finance-commerce.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

HOME Line, a nonprofit legal advisory hotline, recorded its highest-ever call volumes in December 2025 through February 2026 due to impacts from ICE's Operation Metro Surge. Co-executive directors Eric Hauge and Jess Zarik discussed with Finance & Commerce how mutual aid efforts temporarily kept eviction filings on par with 2025's record 25,496 statewide. March filings now exceed last year's pace, signaling worsening conditions.

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Why it matters

Eviction filings harm tenants' housing stability, clog courts, and burden landlords seeking payment. Tenants face doubled financial aid needs and rising filings, while mutual aid wanes post-Operation Metro Surge. Watch March-end statewide data and policy responses like pre-eviction notice extensions.