CDC issues new eviction moratorium after federal ban expired
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The ban on evictions in the United States was reinstated Tuesday evening by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three days earlier, the previous eviction ban expired after a failed vote in the U.S. Congress.
The new eviction moratorium is in effect until Oct. 3. It covers 90% of the country experiencing what the CDC calls "substantial transmission," and efforts largely quote the highly contagious delta variant.
The Supreme Court ruled that the CDC's previous eviction moratorium extension was an overstep of their power. President Biden told NPR reporters the new order is likely to face legal challenges. A ruling by Supreme Court Judge Bret Kavanaugh said congressional action would be needed for eviction moratorium extensions.
In Missouri, court-ordered evictions are enforced by the county sheriff's office. Brian Leer with the Boone County Sheriff told ABC 17 News they've still had evictions, but it's difficult to determine if it's more or less than there would be without the moratorium.
"In 2019 we had roughly about 40 evictions that we were receiving each month," Leer said. "And so absent COVID, absent any kind of moratorium that's probably what we look like on an average year around this time. But, with things in play, we really don't know."
Evictions will still happen because there are several exceptions to the moratorium. The exceptions are when a resident is threatening the health or safety of other residents, property damage and violating the building code or health codes.
"So really, the covered person is covered when they don't pay the rent," Leer said. "But it allows for several other types of evictions for various other violations."
The City of Columbia is receiving $2 million in rental assistance, according to a press release from Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services. To receive the assistance, renters have to fill out a CDC designation and give it to their landlord.
"Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services wants to remind residents that housing stability resources are available to help with utility, rent and mortgage payments, and legal assistance," the release said.
Denise McCorkle, current president of the Jefferson City Board of Realtors, said the federal assistance that should be given out with the eviction ban is not making into the hands of those it is intended for.
"What's troublesome about extending this moratorium is the lack of administration behind how those funds are being distributed," McCorkle said.
There is nearly $45 billion in federal aid that has not yet been designated to anyone by congress. President Biden told CNN they'll likely give the aid to renters for monthly expenses they're behind on, but McCorkle argues there should be some way to ensure the money is spent on rent.
"They are struggling to stay afloat because they have financial obligations and maintenance obligations and tax obligations, but now they're not getting the income," McCorkle said. "We've got property owners for single-family housing that would like to sell right now and take advantage of the seller's market, and they cannot because they have tenants in there that they cannot evict."
Resources for Columbia and Boone County residents can be found online here, and other counties can find more information here.
