People protest in New York for a moratorium on evictions on August 4, 2021.
Stephanie Keith | Getty Images
Millions of Americans left behind with their rent could now be evicted from their homes after the Supreme Court rejected the Biden government’s recent eviction ban.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced their new eviction ban earlier this month, a few days after the previous moratorium had expired. This order affected tenants in areas with “significant” and “high” coronavirus cases and should be in effect by October 3.
Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling that the CDC exceeded its powers in banning it means renters are no longer protected by it.
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The health agency’s attempts to stop evictions amid the pandemic have faced numerous legal challenges, and property owners have criticized the guidelines, stating that they cannot afford to continue sheltering people for free.
However, proponents criticized the lifting of the ban.
“The tragic, momentous and totally avoidable outcome of this judgment will be that millions of people will lose their homes this fall and winter, just as the Delta variant devastates communities and lives,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of National Low Income Housing Coalition.
More than 11 million Americans are lagging behind with their rent, according to a recent analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. And almost a quarter of black tenants are behind schedule.
Concerned about an eviction? You still have options
If you haven’t already, apply for rental assistance, experts say.
Congress has provided more than $ 45 billion in rental aid to help manage the crisis, and so far only a fraction of the money has been spent. If the relief is approved, you can cover up to 18 months’ rent.
A simple application can help you stay home longer.
At least four states – Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, and Oregon – temporarily prohibit evictions against anyone with a pending rental aid application.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition has a state list of 493 programs that spend federal funds. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has a tool to help you apply for a rent reduction.
If your landlord refuses to cooperate, around a quarter of the programs now let help go directly to you.
Make yourself familiar with your other rights as well.
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