With the new month in this pandemic setting, many Americans are to face August rental fees again . And millions of them are at the brink of eviction. And the two things that helped them got through this pandemic have faded away. One is the end of federal moratorium on evictions last July 24, which protected renters from eviction during a crisis. Another is the unemployment benefits of $600 has yet to be extended. Against these odds, rent is not going away.
Assistance for renters
According to chief executive officer of Enterprise Community Partners, Priscilla Almodovar, “Emergency rental assistance has to be a priority.” She manages the US-wide nonprofit organization dedicated to local affordable housing development.
Per a report from the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program and the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project, about 23 million are likely to be evicted. Out of five lessees, at least one could possibly be evicted. Report further said most vulnerable are low-income and minorities.
Iowa Legal Aid managing attorney Erin O. Planalp said: “I expect that we are going to see a lot of families thrust into homelessness right as we are starting the school year, which is fraught with complications already. But I hope that we can build on our connections in the community and partner with landlords to try to give people a little more time.”
[THREAD] Today is August 1st. Rent is due yet again, and even more Californians cannot pay. Millions of renters are facing the imminent threat of eviction in our communities.
Here are 3 quick ways you can help us stop impending mass evictions. Each one takes just a minute!
— Tenants Together (@TenantsTogether) August 1, 2020
Programs and plans
CNN Business provided some suggestions on what to do when rent is unaffordable. In the article, the publication suggested to make an agreement with the landlord for a payment plan, or partial payments.
Another is to look for relief programs. Planalp said, “There is a lot of funding out there. But there are multiple programs and each program has its own criteria.”
The government’s CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) dedicated portions of the budget for rent relief of those affected by the pandemic. Other states even setup online portals for rent aid for eligible residents.
Extended moratoriums
Furthermore, local moratoriums may be in place or extended in several places, like the state of New York’s eviction ban extended ‘til August 20. Some states even implemented a moratorium for until October, like Washington and Massachusetts. The Philadelphia Housing Authority even set the moratorium to last until next year. This decision aims to help over 80,000 low-income residents under the department.
