Housing ReliefWith that moratorium now gone, you probably have a ton of questions to ask. Here are the answers.
What was the national eviction moratorium?
It was put into place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since so many people lost their jobs and income, the CDC wanted to prevent the spread of the virus that could increase with evictions and eventual homelessness from nonpayment of rent.
Why did the moratorium end?
On August 26, 2021, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to end the moratorium in response to complaints from landlords, real estate companies, and trade associations. In a nutshell, the Supreme Court ruled that the CDC didn’t have the power to ban evictions.
How many people did the moratorium affect?
It’s believed that the eviction moratorium protected 90 percent of renters. Single filers making less than $99,000 and joint filers making less than $198,000 were covered. In all, millions are expected to be negatively impacted by the moratorium’s ending.
Did the eviction moratorium waive rent?
No, as back rent that tenants did not pay will be owed. The same holds true for any late fees, although some local governments prohibited them.
Can you get assistance if you’re facing eviction now that the moratorium is over?
Yes, several resources can offer assistance since the pandemic is still going and many people are struggling to stay afloat.
The Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program can help with back rent and even future rent payments if you qualify. It can also help you pay past-due utility bills and moving expenses if you were forced to relocate. To be eligible for this program that has billions in funding, you will need to make less than a certain income for your area, experience housing instability, face financial hardship, and have some type of rental agreement in place. To start the application process, find your local program here.
Another way to find help with your rent is to go through the National Low Income Housing Association, which has a link filled with contacts for local rent relief programs.
If you’re facing immediate eviction and need emergency housing right now, the HUD can help you find such a solution or at least a shelter until you get your finances in order.
To see your options for emergency housing, go here.
Another excellent resource for assistance in terms of food, housing, paying bills, healthcare, and more is 211. Dial those three digits on your phone, and a local operator will give you all of your local options to find help fast.
What should you do if your landlord wants to evict you right now?
Besides talking to your landlord and asking for cheaper rent or an extension to pay past-due rent over the next year, you can get assistance in navigating this tricky topic.
JustShelter.org can connect you with organizations that offer eviction assistance. Legal Aid, meanwhile, may give you a free attorney to help fight your eviction.
