The Human Cost of Corporate Evictions: Ayesha Evans’ Struggle Against Invitation Homes

Eviction Crisis in Hillsborough County: Ayesha Evans’ Heartbreaking Struggle

As the sun dipped below the horizon on a chilly February evening, Ayesha Evans found herself alone in the Hillsborough County courthouse, her heart heavy with despair. Surrounded by the remnants of a bustling day, she sat on a bench, tears streaming down her face, while her adult son, Blake Hurst, buried his head in his hands. Tomorrow, they would be evicted from their Valrico home, a reality they were slowly beginning to accept.

Evans had spent the night before sleepless, her mind racing with thoughts of her 15-year-old son, who was anxiously calling to check on her whereabouts. The weight of the situation was compounded by the fact that none of her six children, except for the eldest, were aware of the impending crisis. A clerk had just informed her that the appeal form they had prepared was incorrectly formatted, and time was running out.

“There’s no way we can get this in time,” Evans lamented, her voice trembling with emotion.

The Evans family is one of many facing eviction in Hillsborough County, where at least 250 eviction cases were filed last year by companies linked to Invitation Homes, a major player in the local rental market. A Tampa Bay Times analysis revealed that corporate landlords are increasingly aggressive in pursuing eviction cases, often filing at rates double or triple that of the county’s overall average.

Experts warn that this trend is displacing vulnerable residents at a time when affordable housing is scarce. “They just have an immense amount of leverage,” said Nick Carey, an organizer with Faith in Florida. “These companies have big legal departments that can churn these cases out.”

Evans’ family had been struggling for months to keep up with rent payments, facing a series of maintenance issues in their home that went unresolved after Invitation Homes took over ownership. Despite their efforts to communicate and pay what they owed, the situation spiraled out of control, leading to the court summons that would change their lives forever.

As the courthouse emptied, Evans stumbled out, her mind racing with thoughts of finding a storage unit and a temporary place to stay. She grappled with how to explain the situation to her younger children, knowing that they were on the brink of homelessness.

The Times’ investigation into eviction filings in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties revealed a troubling pattern: corporate landlords are filing evictions at alarming rates, often without consideration for the individual circumstances of their tenants. The data showed that the largest single-family rental operators accounted for a staggering 35% of evictions filed, despite owning only 20% of the rental homes in the area.

This systematic approach to eviction has been criticized for “clogging the court system,” as researchers note that large companies often file swiftly at the first sign of trouble, while independent landlords are more likely to negotiate and work with tenants on a case-by-case basis.

Evans and her partner, Clifford Hurst, had hoped to resolve their issues with Invitation Homes, but communication breakdowns and conflicting information left them feeling powerless. After being taken to court, they managed to pay off a significant portion of their debt, but the company continued to pursue eviction, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion.

On the day of their expected eviction, Evans packed their belongings into their minivan, along with stacks of papers and stuffed animals, preparing for an uncertain future. The family spent their last hours in their home at a nearby storage unit, where Evans apologized to her sons for the emotional toll the situation had taken on them.

As they loaded their belongings, Evans reflected on the challenges they faced. “This is the one thing I never wanted, for them to feel or experience what I did as a kid,” she said, her voice breaking. “I just need them to be OK.”

The plight of the Evans family is emblematic of a broader crisis affecting many families in Hillsborough County and beyond. As corporate landlords continue to dominate the rental market, the threat of eviction looms larger than ever, leaving families like Evans’ to navigate a system that often prioritizes profit over compassion.

As the sun set on their home, Evans and her children faced an uncertain future, but she remained determined to shield her kids from the harsh realities of their situation. In the face of adversity, her hope for a better tomorrow remained steadfast, even as the weight of the eviction threatened to crush her spirit.