The last six months have seen an immense amount of turmoil, and uncertainty. Individuals have taken dramatic steps to keep themselves and their communities safe and to limit the spread of COVID-19.  In the absence of an effective and widespread treatment or vaccination for the virus, many non-clinical steps are the most effective way in reducing the spread in communities.  

Social distancing, handwashing, face coverings, and quarantining are all actions that local, state, and federal agencies are pursuing to help keep the impact to a minimum.  The CDC has recently used one of its powers to extend the eviction moratorium that was in place and has since expired from the CARES Act.

One of the prevailing reasons behind the extension of this order is that “housing stability helps protect public health because homelessness increases the likelihood of individuals moving into congregate settings, such as homeless shelters, which then puts individuals at higher risk to COVID-19”.  The eviction moratorium is in effect from September 4th, 2020 - December 31, 2020.

Items to keep in mind:

• This moratorium is specifically in place to halt evictions that are being sought for nonpayment of rents

• Tenants must submit a declaration asserting that they have exhausted all means of assistance (local, state, and federal) and are unable to make their rent payments

• If a declaration is not completed or submitted the tenant is not protected by the temporary halt

• Tenants can still be evicted for reasons other than not paying rent or making a housing payment

  • This order from the CDC does not supersede any state or local eviction moratoriums for reasons other than nonpayment

  • State by state regulations can be found here.  
    

Tenant resources:

• Finding Affordable Housing, usa.gov

• Rental Assistance, National Low Income Housing Coalition

• Ways to Cover Your Rent, United Way