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Thread - Millions of renters cannot pay their rent and in just a few days, they will be facing eviction as protections expire and extra unemployment benefits end.
There are already huge disparities in housing outcomes by race and income. This will widen them further. https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/new-data-suggest-covid-19-widening-housing-disparities-race-and-income
Only a few who face eviction will immediately find another apartment. Most will double up with friends or family, living in overcrowded, untenable situations. Some will sleep in their cars or other places not intended for sleeping. Some will turn to homeless shelters.
All of this housing instability will make it impossible to slow the spread of the virus. Let me repeat that.
All of this housing instability will make it impossible to slow the spread of the virus.
= no reopening the economy.
All of this housing instability will make it impossible to slow the spread of the virus.
= no reopening the economy.
Homelessness is expected to rise by 45 percent. Likely more. https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/15/us/homelessness-unemployment-increase-report-pandemic-trnd/index.html
In May, 8 percent of renters already received an eviction notice or were threatened with eviction. It's much higher now and in August, the level of eviction filings will be unprecedented.
There are four things to that will prevent this from happening. These are mostly a congressional to-do list, but states have a role as well.
Extend unemployment benefits, particularly the $600. As my colleagues have noted, this is working for some! https://www.marketplace.org/2020/07/10/rent-tenants-covid-19-federa-pandemic-unemployment-payments/
Fund rental assistance! To Stay Stably Housed, Renters Need $16 Billion per Month in Housing Support during the COVID-19 Crisis https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/stay-stably-housed-renters-need-16-billion-month-housing-support-during-covid-19-crisis
Pass a national eviction moratorium to ensure no one falls through the cracks. https://www.vox.com/2020/6/29/21306066/eviction-moratorium-senate-bill-elizabeth-warren-chuy-garcia
Fund legal assistance and pass right to counsel laws. https://www.urban.org/features/head-start-eviction-prevention
This is all preventable.
We need congress to look at the data and act.
We need congress to look at the data and act.
