The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has extended a federal order intending to prevent evictions during the pandemic until March 31, 2021. Here’s what you need to know:
The order applies to tenants who 1) can’t pay their rent due to the novel coronavirus pandemic (either loss of income or medical expenses), 2) would become homeless or need to double up if evicted, and 3) have an income of less than $99,000 per year, didn’t have to pay income tax in 2019 or got a stimulus check.
I qualify. How do I get protection?
Fill out the form at the end of this order (it starts on page 33): https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-19654.pdf
Then, give it to your landlord.
Do I still have to pay back rent and late fees?
Unless your state, municipality and/or landlord say otherwise, yes. The order doesn’t prevent tenants from needing to pay rent eventually or pay any late fees. It protects people who can’t pay from being put on the streets.
I thought this was a moratorium on evictions, why are people saying “order?”
Not quite. The order is supposed to halt evictions for qualifying tenants, but evictions are still happening. Landlords can still post notices to vacate, and some people will leave upon getting that notice even though they’re protected. Many tenants don’t know about the order. Sometimes landlords ignore it. Sometimes even eviction judges don’t apply it.
Are people pressing for more action?
Yes. Advocates have asked to pair the extension with rental assistance, impose a fine on landlords who are not complying and require landlords to notify tenants that the protection exists.
Does this apply only to government-backed housing?
No. The order applies to private landlords as well.
Wait. I thought the Department of Housing and Urban Development handled housing. Why is this coming from the CDC?
It’s extremely rare for the CDC to issue an order like this, but this order cites 42 CFR 70.2, which says that the CDC can intervene if measures taken to prevent a disease (like COVID-19) “are insufficient to prevent the spread of any of the communicable diseases.”
Where’s the actual text of the extension order?
Click here (https://ift.tt/36r134Z)
"here" - Google News
January 30, 2021 at 11:24PM
https://ift.tt/3r5POqz
The CDC extended the federal eviction order. Here’s what you need to know. - Houston Chronicle
"here" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2z7PfXP
https://ift.tt/2Yv8ZPx
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