South Carolina’s eviction crisis is exposing a stark racial divide that reaches far beyond housing, reshaping the health and stability of Black mothers and their children. The state ranks among the highest in the nation for evictions, and Black women bear the brunt of that burden. According to the ACLU of South Carolina, Black renters make up “nearly 33% of all eviction filings,” despite representing only about 20% of adult renters. Of the state’s 1.44 million eviction cases, Black women and their families were “twice as likely as white households to face eviction.”
For many, the consequences cascade quickly. Unemployment and underemployment fuel housing loss, and nearly 600,000 Black women nationally have left the labor force since February. One mother described in the report struggled to find safe housing while pregnant, ultimately cycling through shelters, hotels, and a transitional apartment. “The process was taxing on everyone,” said organizer Kenni Cummings, who noted that limited services and extensive paperwork often stand between families and stability.
Health risks multiply as families move into temporary or substandard housing. Mold—common in South Carolina’s humid climate—raises asthma risk, and Black residents are “1.5 times more likely” to be diagnosed with asthma, in part due to structural inequities. Food insecurity follows closely behind. As one maternal health professional explained, when parents worry about shelter and safety, “it becomes nearly impossible to prioritize nutrition, emotional well-being, or appropriate medical care.”
For Black mothers, eviction becomes a threat to health, employment, and even custody. As career strategist Patrice Williams-Lindo put it, “The system is unstable, not us.”
See: “‘The system is unstable, not us’: How South Carolina evictions harm Black mothers and their families” (December 16, 2025)
