On this edition of Your Call, we’re continuing our coverage of the eviction crisis. On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will invoke its authority to stop evictions through the end of the year. The order applies to individuals making less than $99,000 or less in income, or couples filing jointly with $198,000 or less. Those who are eligible must present their landlords with a declaration, which will be available on the CDC’s website tomorrow.
Diane Yentel, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, says there are many problems with the order. "The president’s authority to establish a broad national eviction moratorium in the absence of congressional action is questionable and will almost certainly be quickly challenged in court by landlord associations. By relying on shaky legal authority, this executive order offers merely false hope, and risks increased confusion and chaos at a time when renters need assurance that they will not be kicked out of their homes during a pandemic. Even if upheld in court, this executive order is only a half-measure. Because the moratorium is not paired with substantial emergency rental assistance, the executive order merely postpones evictions nationwide; it does not prevent them.”
Guests:
Diane Yentel, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition
Shamus Roller, executive director of the National Housing Law Project
Web Resources:
CNN, Kyung Lah: Laid off and now evicted amid COVID-19