The Centers for Disease Control, together with the US Department of Health & Human Services, issued an
order late yesterday temporarily halting residential evictions in some circumstances to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
The order recognizes explicitly what HPRP and others have been saying for years - housing is health care.
When is the order effective?
The order will take effect on Friday, September 4, 2020 and will end on December 31, 2020.
Are all tenants protected?
No. Only tenants who meet ALL of the following criteria are protected:
(1) Tenants who are unable to pay the rent due to substantial loss of income or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses;
(2) Tenants whose income is less than $99,000, they did not have to pay income tax in 2019, or they received a stimulus check;
(3) Tenants who have used "best efforts" to obtain all available government assistance for rent or housing;
(4) Tenants who are using "best efforts" to make timely partial payments to the landlord; and
(5) Tenants who would likely become homeless or need to double-up if evicted.
What do tenants need to do to show they are entitled to protection? Tenants must sign a form - called a "declaration" - showing they are protected by this order and give the signed declaration to their landlord. This form will be available starting Friday, September 4, 2020.
