Expiration of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) Eviction Moratorium

Disability Matters with Joyce Bender

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

#AdvocacyMatters Segment

Expiration of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) Eviction Moratorium

The effort to create stable and affordable housing during the COVID-19 pandemic has hit a roadblock. The moratorium on evictions related to COVID-19 expired on July 31, 2021. 6.5 million households are behind on their rent. Eviction notices are going out.

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control had issued a series of temporary eviction moratorium orders under its authority to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The policy was an effort to limit the number of individuals who would become homeless or move to congregate or shared living settings.

At the same time, Congress provided state and local governments nearly $50 billion in emergency rental assistance to help renters and property owners pay their rents. Some communities have been slow in releasing the federal emergency rental assistance.

Pressure has been mounting on Congress and the White House to act to extend the moratorium to renters through the end of December. No action has been taken. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court, while upholding the eviction moratorium through the end of July, signaled that it would not allow another eviction moratorium without Congressional action.

#AdvocacyMatters

There are 2 ways advocates can support individuals who may face eviction.

First, we can provide referrals to state and local resources that have been set up to help individuals facing eviction. Only $3 billion of the $46 billion federal appropriations for emergency rental assistance have been spent. There is money available to help those facing eviction.

Second, advocates are asking state and local to act by enacting or extending their own eviction moratorium. Congress has introduced legislation to extend the moratorium through December; however, there are not enough votes to pass the legislation at this time. The White House is reviewing its options.

We will be sure to update you on this eviction crisis as soon as more information is available.

Please visit disabilityrightspa.org for links on this topic, including how to find emergency rental assistance funding.

 

Links

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Find help with rent and utilities

National Low Income Housing Coalition – Emergency Rental Assistance Dashboard

National Public Radio – WITF