People are protesting a moratorium on evictions on August 4, 2021 in New York.
Stephanie Keith | Getty Images
Millions of Americans left behind in their rent could now be at risk of being evicted from their homes after the Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration’s most recent eviction ban.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced its new eviction ban earlier this month, just days after its previous moratorium expired. This order covered tenants in areas experiencing “substantial” and “high” levels of coronavirus cases and was supposed to be in effect until October 3rd.
The Supreme Court ruling Thursday that CDC had exceeded its authority with the ban means tenants are no longer protected by it.
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Attempts by the health agency to stop evictions amid the pandemic have faced numerous legal challenges and landlords have criticized the policies, saying they cannot afford to continue housing people for free.
Proponents, however, clashed with the lifting of the ban.
“The tragic, consistent and totally avoidable outcome of this ruling will be that millions of people will lose their homes this fall and winter, just as the delta variant is ravaging communities and lives,” said Diane Yentel, president and general manager of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
According to a recent analysis by the Center for Budget and Political Priorities, more than 11 million Americans are left behind in their income. And nearly a quarter of black tenants are behind.
Worried about eviction? You still have options
If you haven’t already, ask for rental help, according to experts.
Congress has earmarked more than $ 45 billion in rental aid to deal with the crisis and so far only a little of the money has been spent. If you have the approval of the relief, you could get up to 18 months of covered rent.
Just making an application can help you stay home longer.
At least four states (Massachusetts, Nevada, New York and Oregon) are temporarily banning evictions against those who have a pending rental assistance application.
The National Coalition for Low-Income Housing has a state-by-state list of the 493 programs that give federal money. The Office of Consumer Financial Protection also has a tool to help you apply for rental assistance.
If the owner refuses to cooperate, about a quarter of the programs allow assistance to come to you directly.
Also, familiarize yourself with your other rights.