To ensure families stay in their homes and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government should extend the CDC's eviction moratorium and other rent relief measures through the new year.
To slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect families during the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) passed an eviction moratorium in September, prohibiting landlords from evicting renters facing financial hardship. The moratorium, set to expire at the end of the year, has provided a lifeline for families who face losing their homes.
Things haven't improved for much of the country. In November, a third of Americans said they feared facing eviction or foreclosure in the next few months. With the moratorium's expiration and the end of other financial support like extended unemployment benefits looming, many Americans face deep financial uncertainty in the new year. Without a renewed moratorium and rent relief, argues Mary K. Cunningham, people who owe back rent and those having trouble making rent payments will continue to face housing insecurity as we head deeper into winter. Even with the current moratorium in place, tens of thousands of evictions have still been filed during the pandemic as landlords seek out loopholes, and without full rent relief, many tenants are sinking deeper into debt.
Federal relief would also help small landlords who rent to low-income people of color, many of whom risk losing their properties to large companies. The accelerated loss of affordable housing to redevelopment could have a powerful impact on future housing availability for low- and middle-income families.
FULL STORY: Extending the CDC Eviction Moratorium Would Keep Families Housed and Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
In Unprecedented Times, Nothing Less Than Universal Rent Relief Will Do
An intimate look at what it’s like fighting for meaningful state-level rent relief when the powers that be don’t believe everyone is worth saving.
CDC's Eviction Moratorium Extended
The CDC's eviction moratorium will stay in place until at least June 30, 2021.
Proposed $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Includes $30 Billion Each for Transit and Rent Relief
Democrats in Congress are moving forward with a massive COVID stimulus package—with or without Republicans.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
The French Solution to Congested Tunnels: Make Them Car-Free
Bay Area transportation officials keep expanding car capacity. Lyon’s Croix Rousse Tunnel offers a different way.
Missouri Governor Reverses Anti-Discrimination Housing Policies
A new state law bars cities from prohibiting source-of-income discrimination against tenants using Section 8 housing vouchers.
USDOT Launches Unfunded 'SAFE ROADS' Program
The program targets “distractions” and “political messages or artwork,” and paves the way for autonomous vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie