The WH, HHS, CDC and HUD joined together to implement a *temporary halt to evictions* because widespread evictions that lead to homelessness pose major health risks during an existing pandemic.
I'll have more info on this in my story coming up for @CourthouseNews.
I'll have more info on this in my story coming up for @CourthouseNews.
This temporary halt on evictions and foreclosures will be officially published into the Federal Register on Sept. 4 but the unpublished version for you to peruse is online here:
federalregister.gov/d/2020-19654 and a searchable PDF here: documentcloud.org/documents/7072…
federalregister.gov/d/2020-19654 and a searchable PDF here: documentcloud.org/documents/7072…
The Dem-passed CARES Act covered only federally-backed rental units but the CDC order covers “any rental unit in the United States so long as the tenant or homeowner meets the requirement,” an official from the CDC said in a phone call today.
According to the order, a “landlord, owner or other person with legal right to pursue eviction shall not evict any covered person from any residential property for the remainder of 2020 for failure to pay rent.”
Critically, the definition of a “covered person” is considered...
Critically, the definition of a “covered person” is considered...
Any “persons that receive or would have been eligible for an economic impact payment or based on 2020 income, those with $99,000 in income or less or couples filing jointly of $198,000 or less.”
Further, a senior Health and Human Services official said on a call Tuesday that “all persons seeking eviction protection must show they have taken best efforts possible to seek gov’t assistance to make their rental payments.”
“A renter who cannot pay his or her full rent should pay an amount that is not unduly burdensome. It’s not an invitation to stop paying rent,” the senior official said today.
Applicants must also show they will become homeless or forced to move into congregant housing if evicted
Applicants must also show they will become homeless or forced to move into congregant housing if evicted
And any person who benefits from this assistance is still obligated to pay accrued rent in accordance with their lease or contract, allowing landlords with non-compliant tenants to retain their right to pursue evictions later.
If a person files for relief and is still evicted in the meantime, however, how their personal record and credit will reflect the eviction was a question officials were unprepared to answer Tuesday.
Often, an eviction on a person’s record makes renting or obtaining a mortgage exponentially more difficult.
“This CDC order focused on the public health by preventing evictions, so, that long term question is important but is not one addressed by the order,” an official said.
“This CDC order focused on the public health by preventing evictions, so, that long term question is important but is not one addressed by the order,” an official said.
How the agencies will be able to ensure that this is enforced was also uncertain today but another senior admin official said that under the order, any landlord who refused to honor it, may be held criminally liable.
The declaration for you to fill out and share with your landlord if you meet the requirements begins on page 33 here:
documentcloud.org/documents/7072…
documentcloud.org/documents/7072…
STORY: Treasury Secy Steve Mnuchin urged lawmakers to quickly strike a deal on sweeping relief for Americans hit hard by the pandemic, on the same day the Trump admin rolled out a temp order halting evictions & foreclosures through Dec.
courthousenews.com/with-covid-rel…
courthousenews.com/with-covid-rel…
