National Updates
Congress
Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Cori Bush (D-MO), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) led over 60 of their House colleagues in writing to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urging them to pass legislation to extend the federal eviction moratorium for the duration of the pandemic. Read the August 27 letter here.
Biden Administration
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge sent a letter on August 27 to state and local government leaders urging them to take immediate action to prevent unnecessary evictions during the pandemic.
U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
USICH Interim Executive Director Anthony Love addressed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Community Development and Housing Committee on August 25, asking mayors and local leaders to: 1) raise awareness about and reduce barriers to emergency rental assistance; 2) prioritize emergency housing vouchers (EHVs) for people already experiencing homelessness; 3) implement USICH’s CDC-informed Delta guidance, which includes expanding non-congregate shelter; and 4) use American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and HOME funding to develop and preserve affordable housing for the lowest-income renters.
Advocacy and Research
With limited state and local protections, the end of the CDC eviction moratorium puts millions of renters at risk of losing their homes. Analysis from the Urban Institute estimates that roughly 2.1 million adult renters who believe they will be evicted in the next two months live in states or jurisdictions that do not offer some form of eviction moratorium.
Reporting
The Associated Press, Washington Post, Axios, CNN, and Politico report on the Supreme Court’s decision to block the federal eviction moratorium. The court in an unsigned opinion ruled 6-3 on August 26 to end the temporary stay on a lower court ruling seeking to overturn the federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on August 3.
The Associated Press examines how concerns about the slow pace of emergency rental assistance (ERA) distribution across the country have intensified after the Supreme Court lifted the federal eviction moratorium on August 26, putting millions at risk for eviction. “State and local governments are working to improve programs to distribute emergency rental assistance to those in need, but they need more time; the Supreme Court’s decision will lead to many renters, predominantly people of color, losing their homes before the assistance can reach them,” said NLIHC’s Diane Yentel.
NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel joined CBS News to speak about the Supreme Court’s ruling on the CDC eviction moratorium and the availability of federal emergency rental assistance. “What makes this moment so tragic and frustrating,” Diane said, “is that there are sufficient resources to help tenants pay the rent (that may not reach them in time).”
CNBC outlines what renters need to know now that the federal eviction moratorium has been overturned. The article cites NLIHC Diane Yentel’s statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling and highlights NLIHC’s searchable emergency rental assistance (ERA) database.
The Hill says Congress is under new pressure to keep millions of renters in their homes after the Supreme Court blocked the new eviction moratorium implemented by the CDC. Members of Congress are urging state and local governments to speed the distribution of emergency rental assistance (ERA) and considering additional legislative action to authorize an eviction moratorium and accelerate the delivery of ERA.
The Washington Post reports the Supreme Court decision may unleash a wave of evictions, given that as many as 6.4 million households remain behind on their rent. Housing advocates acknowledge it remains unlikely that Congress can enact an eviction moratorium. “Congress absolutely should implement a broad eviction moratorium during the pandemic,” said NLIHC’s Diane Yentel “They should have done that at any time over the last 18 months. They can’t and they very likely won’t. They don’t have the votes.” Another Washington Post article reports that the Supreme Court ruling overturning the CDC moratorium is unleashing a rapid and uneven wave of evictions across the country, leaving the fate of millions of renters in the hands of local judges, leaders, and sheriffs.
The New York Times reports the Supreme Court’s ruling that ended the CDC eviction moratorium leaves the Biden administration with few options to help the millions of renters at risk of losing their homes.
Guidance
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Vaccination in Unsheltered Settings: Event Types and Considerations