The U.S. Treasury Department, the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development are encouraging state and local government leaders to take eviction prevention actions.
The agencies are imploring states, cities and counties representing Americans facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic that no one should be evicted before having an opportunity to apply for rental assistance, and no eviction process should progress until the rental assistance application is processed.
“With lives on the line, it is imperative that we act-at all levels of government-to keep people in their homes and prevent a surge in COVID-19, as well as the long-term economic scarring and poor health consequences that come with eviction,” Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice Merrick Garland and Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge wrote. “State and local governments play a crucial role as administrators of programs like
Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) and as leaders of their own housing agencies, judiciary systems and other components of government that are essential to keeping Americans in their homes.”
The Treasury Department is focused on partnering with state and local governments to get Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds processed and into the hands of renters and landlords. The Department of Justice recently forwarded letters to state court Chief Justices and court administrators urging implementation of eviction diversion programs delaying or stopping eviction actions until renters and landlords have had the chance to apply for rental assistance. HUD has required public housing authorities and properties receiving federal project-based rental assistance offer protections providing tenants a chance to receive emergency rent relief and take steps to help prevent evictions.