Overview
What is the main issue that Gretchen Purser’s study focuses on?
Eviction and housing instability
How long (years) did this study take action for?
1 year or 2006-2007
What right allows tenants to pay overdue rent up until the moment of eviction, sometimes preventing it altogether?
Right of redemption.
According to Purser, eviction is not just about missed rent. What larger crisis does it contribute to?
Poverty and inequality
How many evictions did the research participate in during the study?
16 evictions
What action taken by tenants caused eviction numbers to drop drastically from 150 to just 30 in one instance?
Paying overdue rent right before the sheriff arrives.
What research method did Purser use to examine eviction and dispossession?
Ethnographic research or participant observation
Which company did the researcher work with to observe the eviction process?
Instalabor
Which group of workers is often hired for cheap, temporary work during evictions, with little regards for their safety?
Low income or homeless workers.
Who are the key players involved in carrying out evictions, according to Purser’s study?
Landlords, property managers, and eviction crews
Besides participating in evictions, which other activities did the researcher do to gather data on the eviction process?
Conducting 59 in-depth interviews, attending rent court, observing public eviction hearings, and analyzing legal documents
What belief might eviction workers develop that justifies their harsh treatment of tenants?
Tenants are morally deficient or lazy.
Purser argues that eviction is not just an individual issue but a structural injustice. What does this mean in the context of her research?
It means that eviction is systematically reinforced by policies, economic structures, and social attitudes, making it difficult for low-income and Black communities to escape housing instability.
What specific role did the researcher collaborate with during the eviction process, and why was it important for understanding the eviction cycle?
Collaborating with an eviction enforcement deputy sheriff to gain an institutional perspective on the eviction process.
What do eviction workers sometimes salvage from evicted apartments, providing temporary relief despite contributing to homelessness?
Belongings or items.