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Responding to political pressure, federal health officials announced a new eviction moratorium Tuesday to include protections for renters and tenants in areas where the coronavirus is spreading at higher rates.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention replaced a moratorium, which expired Saturday and protects renters in jeopardy of being evicted because they were unable to pay rent in full. The new federal document could cover around 90% of the nation’s population under its requirements, according to the Associated Press.
A new 60-day suspension on evictions will last until Oct. 3, protecting almost 3.6 million people across the country.
Although Democratic legislators put pressure on the Biden administration’s to act swiftly, the decision was ultimately up to the CDC.
“I’ve indicated to the CDC I’d like them to look at other alternatives than the (moratorium) that is in existence, which the (U.S. Supreme Court) has declared they’re not gonna allow to continue,” Biden told reporters during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
Biden said the new moratorium could face legal challenges, but it could buy officials time to distribute over $46.5 billion in emergency funding for rental assistance. The funds were approved by Congress in December and March, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury.
The updated declaration covers people in areas where the virus’ community spread is at either “substantial” or “high” levels, according to CDC data. As of Tuesday evening, every Hampton Roads locality — except Poquoson — fell under one of the two top levels for high community transmission.
[ CDC issues new eviction ban for most of US through Oct. 3 due to COVID spread ]
Public health officials categorize the rate in which the virus spreads into four categories — low, moderate, substantial and high.
Among other requirements, the affidavit intends to cover people who: are unable to pay rent in full because of COVID-19, still make partial payments, seek financial assistance and would face housing insecurities if they were evicted from their current home.
If someone is at risk of being removed from their home, the tenant should be able to sign the declaration and it give their landlord to temporarily stop the eviction.
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After Virginia’s state of emergency ended June 30, renters and tenants had fewer protections against evictions. A state provision requiring landlords to cooperate in applying for relief funding expired with Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive order.
State legislators will reconsider extending this eviction protection until June 2022 during the General Assembly’s special session.
Landlords were obligated to seek financial assistance on their tenants’ behalf if they were unable to pay rent in full. Property owners were required to wait 45 days until a statewide relief program approved or denied the application before proceeding with an eviction, according to Phil Storey, an attorney with Virginia Poverty Law Center.
Once the state of emergency expired, Northam’s office ensured there were a few lingering provisions that would continue after June 30.
The state still has millions in funding available through the Virginia Rent Relief Program. People can apply for financial assistance through the program if they need help with payment.
Staff writer Matt Jones contributed to this report.
Sierra Jenkins, 229-462-8896, sierra.jenkins@virginiamedia.com