A lot of people are struggling as the virus continues to force temporary and permanent closures of many places of work. Only a couple of weeks ago, 1.5 million Americans filed for unemployment. In May, unemployment rose to an estimated 16%; inching closer to the unemployment records of the Great Depression. Even if people were able to hold onto their jobs, many were forced to take pay cuts as businesses try to tread water as we wait for the end of the pandemic. According to Pew Research, roughly half of lower-income Americans reported job or wage loss due to COVID. This leaves an already vulnerable population in even greater danger of not being able to afford basic necessities. Many people are unable to afford their monthly rent or mortgage payments, leaving them at risk of eviction. Many states have set up rules banning eviction during this time, however a lot of those are expiring soon and we could have a large homeless problem looming in the distance.
Steps the Government is taking to Solve Eviction troubles
With so many people out of work or taking pay cuts, it's no wonder that people are finding it difficult to make their rent payments. Not only is there the danger of being uprooted from your home, but the hit to your credit that comes from an eviction may make it difficult to secure mortgage financing or a new apartment in the future.
However, as many people know, the federal government stepped in with the CARES Act. Not only did this provide stimulus checks and different relief packages, but it also temporarily banned evictions and late fees as well. This protection from eviction gave a great deal of peace of mind as we battle this pandemic, but unfortunately it is due to run out on July 25. On the 25th, landlords are required to provide a 30 day notice to vacate before they are allowed to file for eviction. This makes the true first day of evictions August 24th.
Unfortunately, these protections only apply to complexes that receive federal funding as a part of Section 8 housing or other government assistance programs. To find out if your complex is included in these terms, the National Low Income Housing Coalition has created a search tool where you may be able to find your complex if it is multifamily.
Luckily, the House of Representatives proposed an eight month extension of these services. However, there has been little progress in pushing this bill through, so it would be unwise to assume that the extension will come through. On a similar note, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that Congress will decide on the date of the next stimulus check in July. With July just having started, we should be hearing more about this in the coming days. Again, we would strongly urge you not to count on this check coming in, as nothing has been agreed upon yet so we can't be sure the eight month extension or the stimulus check will be coming in on time.
At the local level, many states have also banned eviction during this time. You can see if your state has a ban on evictions or if you are at risk here. Some state's eviction bans have expired and those who are not covered in the federal bill are at risk of getting kicked out of their home. However, other states have chosen to extend this while the pandemic continues to affect many of us.
What you can do to avoid being evicted
Besides the banal advice of saving money and going on unemployment if necessary, there are a few ways in which to prevent yourself from being evicted. Many companies have created resources available to the public for those encountering financial hardship due to COVID or otherwise.
If the pandemic has caused you financial hardship and you need assistance buying more time to pay your bills Do Not Pay is here to assist. Do Not Pay is an online chatbox which accesses national legislation to help you with legal tasks ranging from contesting a parking ticket and now financial relief from the pandemic. One of the beautiful things about this company is they may ask for a $3 "donation" every month, but they will not charge you until you're back on your feet. This article by Dale Smith goes over their offering a bit more completely.
Another resource available to you in your time of need is 211. 211 is a crisis management and aid website that provides you with the tools you need to weather the storm. From housing expenses to basic needs like food, water, and healthcare, 211 can put you in contact with the right people to make sure that your situation does not spiral out of control.
If you are to the point where you have been evicted or have been forced to move out, JustShelter can help. JustShelter is a service that will allow you to gain access to the correct people to speak to in order to find yourself a temporary housing situation. Until you get back up on your feet, you can rest easy knowing that there is a group that will help you to keep a roof over the heads of you and your family.
A lot of us are struggling to make it through these uncertain times. However, there's also a lot of people out there who want to help. If you are scared that you may be evicted from your home, don't hesitate to reach out to someone. Many Americans are facing similar situations and support from others is incredible important in difficult times like these.
