MWI’s Eviction Mediation Program
The MWI Eviction Mediation Program offers free mediation services to low-income tenants and landlords for housing and eviction cases in fourteen District and Municipal Courts across Greater Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts.
By helping tenants and landlords reach mutually agreeable, practical resolutions outside of court, the program reduces housing instability, prevents displacement, and helps people remain in their homes without additional cost. These resolutions also enable landlords to recover rent payments and sustain their rental income, supporting housing stability for both tenants and property owners.
Program Description
MWI offers both in-person and virtual mediation services to court partners and parties referred to or requesting mediation. Our mediation services are voluntary, confidential, and impartial, giving participants a space to identify key issues, communicate effectively, and explore options for resolution.
Benefits of mediation include:
- Achieving resolution sooner than waiting for a court hearing
- Retaining control over the outcome
- Saving time, energy, and money
- Improving communication and clarity of issues
- Developing creative and comprehensive solutions
- Flexible scheduling options
MWI’s diverse panel of mediators brings a wide range of educational and professional experience, with specialized advanced training in housing and eviction matters. Mediators guide constructive dialogue, help parties identify key interests, and work toward practical, mutually acceptable agreements.
Our mediators also collaborate with case managers on complex cases and maintain their skills through ongoing Refresher Mediation Skills Training and monthly Roundtable Seminars led by experienced practitioners.
Addressing Housing Challenges in Our Communities
In 2024, approximately 32,480 eviction cases were heard across Massachusetts. According to 2020 Housing Court statistics, 81.4% of plaintiffs (typically landlords) were represented by counsel, compared to only 8.5% of defendants (typically tenants).
While mediation does not provide legal advice or make legal determinations, it offers both landlords and tenants, represented or not, an opportunity to communicate more effectively in a less formal, collaborative setting. Mediation fosters understanding, helps clarify priorities, and supports cooperative problem-solving.
As courts continue to balance caseloads with the broader social impacts of housing instability, mediation has emerged as a vital resource. By offering accessible, no-cost support, mediation eases pressure on the courts while helping communities address the ripple effects of eviction and housing insecurity.
Through open dialogue, tenants and housing providers retain autonomy in shaping outcomes. Mediation can lead to practical agreements, such as additional time to apply for rental assistance or secure housing, payment plans for rent owed, home repair arrangements, or simply clearing up miscommunications. Once approved by the court, these self-determined agreements promote stability and fairness for all parties involved.
MWI’s Impact
Since 1994, MWI has provided free mediation services for civil, small claims, summary process, and harassment prevention cases through our Court Mediation Program. During this time, our panel of mediators has handled more than 5,500 cases, serving approximately 13,000 landlords and tenants.
In partnership with each court’s First Justice and staff, MWI continues to promote public awareness of mediation and its benefits, helping communities resolve conflicts constructively, reduce court burdens, and strengthen housing stability across Massachusetts.
For More Information
Please contact Clarice Parsons, Mediation Program Manager, at courtmediation@mwi.org or 617-895-4030.
MWI is grateful to the Massachusetts Bar Foundation for its generous support of the Court Mediation Program through its IOLTA Fund Grants
References
1. Massachusetts Trial Court, Department of Research and Planning. (2024, August 23). Massachusetts Trial Court, FY2024 Year-End Case Filings. Public.tableau.com. , available here
2. Massachusetts Trial Court, Department of Research and Planning. (n.d.). Housing Court Self-Represented / Represented Litigants by Court Location. Trial Court Statistics for Fiscal Year 2020
3. Annual homeless census. Boston.gov. (2025, May 20)
