Sheriff Thomas J. Dart of Cook County said an increasing number of the residents being evicted were renters who might have been dutifully paying their rent.

If South Florida is a barometer for the housing crisis and the economy, the forecast does not look good.

Governments have become concerned about the upkeep of foreclosed homes, which can drag down real estate values.

Local and state governments have become concerned about the upkeep of foreclosed homes, which can drag down real estate values and breed crime.