These days, the complicated state of New Hampshire’s economy can be seen in a number: the weekly eviction rate.
At 60 evictions filed in state courts per week, the number is about half of what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, notes Elliott Berry, a housing attorney with New Hampshire Legal Assistance
But it’s not exactly zero, either – even with a federal eviction moratorium that in theory has prevented landlords from initiating evictions for nonpayment of rent.
“Plenty have gone forward,” Berry said. “But on the other hand, plenty have not.”
Now, as state and federal officials begin to pare back pandemic-era protections, Berry and other housing experts are keeping their eye on a key event: The federal moratorium on evictions is set to end soon, and New Hampshire housing attorneys say a spike in tenants removed from their homes is likely to follow.