CDC Eviction Moratorium: Biden Adminstration Extends To July 31, Is It The Last Time?
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday extended the federal moratorium on evictions until the end of July.
Since the pandemic began, 7 million people have struggled to pay their rent and have run the risk of becoming homeless. There were 6.4 million households behind on their rent by the end of March, and as of early June there were about 3.2 million people who faced eviction, according to federal government figures.
It was the third time the moratorium has been extended, with the first one coming last September and the most recent one in March.
The Biden administration says this is the “final month” of the moratorium, and they will allow time for those facing evictions and foreclosure to take the necessary steps they need.
The White House encourages states to help tenants stay in their homes with the help of anti-eviction programs without facing legal action.
The Federal Government has allocated $46 billion in rental insurance. However, according to the National Low Income Coalition, only 5% of the money has been distributed.
Landlords, meanwhile, are growing impatient, arguing they are losing billions a month in rent, and have challenged the CDC multiple times in court.
House Democrats Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Cori Bush of Missouri, and Jimmy Gomez of California urged the Biden administration in a letter to extend the moratorium so millions of Americans wouldn't be left homeless.
Despite the moratorium, thousand of tenants risk becoming homeless because of various loopholes. Many of them are on low incomes and disproportionately people of color. A new Princeton study found that communities with the lowest vaccination rates tend to have the highest eviction numbers.
“The eviction moratorium will protect millions of people on rent, but they will face this deadline next month. They need a long-term solution, not another Band-Aid. Policymakers should seize this moment to enact a more enduring solution,” said Alicia Mazzara, senior research analyst with the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities.
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