Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Eviction relief could be coming soon to renters across the nation, but for many — like hundreds of Houston families — it’s too late.

They’re already in the process of losing their homes. bit.ly/31Wrk9K

https://twitter.com/joshscampbell/status/1301324061373538304

2/ The federal government announced a nationwide eviction moratorium Tuesday that is designed to protect renters from losing their homes until the end of the year.

The order, issued by the CDC, is set to go into effect Friday. bit.ly/31Wrk9K

3/ But since March, landlords have filed thousands of evictions in an area of Harris County that houses many low-income families who have been disproportionately affected by unemployment. bit.ly/32Tznn0

4/ As of August 29, 3.4 million Texans have filed for unemployment relief since mid-March.

The unemployment rate in July was 8%, more than double what it was at the start of the year. bit.ly/3brXpck

5/ Of the millions of unemployed Texans, nearly 350,000 in August did not qualify for the additional $300 weekly payments because they didn’t indicate they lost work due to the pandemic or made too little from the work they lost. bit.ly/2EZJgHw

6/ And yet — despite the state’s climbing unemployment rate — when evictions resumed earlier this year, judges said state law gives them little opportunity to show tenants mercy.

Judges couldn’t consider loss of employment at court hearings. bit.ly/3jJOLsW

7/ Meanwhile, some undocumented immigrants who fear the legal system and lack access to government-funded help have been leaving their homes before the eviction process even begins.

"I didn’t want to be in debt, and I couldn’t go to court.”

bit.ly/3jKp4sg

8/8 With this new eviction freeze, renters must: meet an income requirement, state they’ve been unable to pay rent due to loss of income, work or health expenses and state they’re using their "best efforts" to pay rent on time. bit.ly/3brYGQE