COVID-19 Update

Congress continues to be at a standoff about how to respond to the ongoing health care and economic needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The expanded unemployment benefits that were enacted in March to help buffer the economic impacts expired last week. The moratorium on evictions of renters in properties with federal assistance expired on July 24, although fortunately landlords are required to file a 30-day notice of an intention to evict. 

Back in May, the House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion bill, the HEROES Act, that provides significant support to deal with the array of health care and economic needs caused by the economic shut down necessary to slow the spread of COVID 19.  The Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced a $1 trillion alternative bill this week that lacked almost any housing provisions, but it failed to garner the support either of a majority of the Republican caucus or the White House.

The differences between the House, Senate and the Administration are vast, and with the expiration of key provisions looming, pressure is on policymakers to come to an agreement.  Unemployment benefits, funds for renters and homeowners, funds for COVID testing and contact-tracing, better forbearance and post-forbearance rules, assistance for state and local governments, and extra funding to help schools reopen safely are all critical.

For information about the complex web of local, state, and federal moratoria on evictions and foreclosures, click here.

For housing funding advocacy resources, click here.