Advocates Argue Delaware Court Processes to Blame for State's High Eviction Rates 

"Being evicted can mean homelessness, as well as losing access to food assistance and employment.

Legal aid groups say the court process makes it too easy for landlords to evict tenants they consider undesirable. But a new state pilot program aims to provide more people facing eviction with lawyers.

Iris Oneal lives in downtown Wilmington, just blocks away from high-rise offices and luxury apartment buildings. The 62-year-old finally has a place to live again after experiencing homelessness following an eviction last year.

She said she was evicted from a rental in Wilmington because she reported the landlord to county business inspectors for not maintaining the property.

“Downstairs in that house in the basement was a whole bunch of garbage and we kept having mice," she said. "We were having bugs we’ve never seen before and I’m from West Virginia, so if I ain’t seen it you know it’s something strange.”..."

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