A new study has found that the temporary ban on evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to a significant decrease in reports of child abuse and neglect.
Researchers from leading institutions examined data across the United States during the eviction moratoriums implemented between 2020 and 2021. Their findings revealed that in counties where eviction bans were enforced, there was an 11% drop in child maltreatment-related investigations initiated by child protection agencies.
The study, published in Pediatrics, highlights the potential of housing stability as a protective factor for vulnerable children. By preventing sudden displacements, families may have experienced reduced stress, leading to fewer situations that could escalate into abuse or neglect.
Experts involved in the study emphasized that housing insecurity has long been a risk factor in child welfare cases. These findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that social policies designed to ease economic pressure—like eviction protections—can play a crucial role in family well-being.
The researchers used a comprehensive data set spanning over 1,300 counties and focused on the period when eviction moratoriums were active due to pandemic-related public health orders. The decline in reports was seen even after accounting for other factors such as unemployment and local COVID-19 infection rates.
Although the moratoriums have ended, child welfare advocates say this research provides a strong case for exploring long-term housing support policies as a preventative tool in child abuse cases. They argue that ensuring families can remain in stable housing environments may help reduce stress-related incidents and offer children safer, more secure living conditions.