The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has extended the federal eviction moratorium through July 31, 2021. The Order was originally set to expire on June 30, 2021. In its announcement, the CDC stated this action “is intended to be the final extension of the moratorium.” Click here to read the CDC statement. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled to keep the federal eviction moratorium in place.

The White House also announced a series of actions to help stabilize the housing market including calling for the acceleration of Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds. Treasury will be releasing new guidance to “support states’ and localities’ rapid deployment of ERAP funds including providing a streamlined payment option for utility providers and large landlords.” Treasury plans to clarify how grantees may achieve “economies of scale by obtaining information in bulk from utility providers and landlords with multiple units to help speed determination of eligibility of households and to bundle, in a single payment, approved amounts for the benefit of multiple tenants.” This action by Treasury was strongly recommended by MHI and its coalition of national housing industry organizations. Click here to read the statement.

MHI and its coalition of national housing industry organizations continues to strongly argue that the current approach of eviction moratoriums is failing to address the scope of damage in the housing sector and will not meet the long term needs of renters and housing providers. In a joint letter to President Biden, MHI and its coalition members recognized the measures the Administration has taken to help individuals, households and businesses recover from the COVID-19 health crisis such as the broad financial assistance provided through relief bills, including Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds, expanded unemployment insurance and direct stimulus checks. However, MHI and the group argued that the continuation of a nationwide eviction moratorium is at odds with the current economic environment and will ultimately only serve to place insurmountable levels of debt on renter households and imped the recovery in the housing sector. Click here to read the letter.

In case you missed it, MHI recently held a webinar about the CDC’s eviction moratorium, how states are implementing their rental assistance programs and how manufactured housing residents and landlords can access these funds. Click here to watch a recording of the webinar by entering your member login to access the page.

REMINDER: If you are giving a tenant an eviction notice for any reason, you must also include WRITTEN notice that lets the tenant know they could have protections under the CDC eviction moratorium. This includes ALL 5-Day, 14-Day, 28-Day, or 30-Day notices regardless if they are for non-payment or other reasons.

Sample language might say something similar to this statement: Because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for temporary protection from eviction under Federal law. Learn the steps you should take now:

The Wisconsin Housing Alliance also recommends including the CDC Declaration with a notice to tenants.

Check the Wisconsin Housing Alliance COVID-19 Resources page for up to date info.