Agencies prepare to help as federal eviction moratorium comes to an end

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Some agencies expect more work as a federal moratorium on some evictions came to an end this weekend.

The White House allowed a hold on evictions put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expire on Saturday. The hold allowed anyone laid off or had their wages reduced protection from eviction proceedings, so long as they were working on paying their landlord in some way.

A new eviction moratorium is reportedly in the works, with the federal government eyeing a limited ban in areas of the country hit hardest by COVID-19.

Ed Stansberry, executive director of the Voluntary Action Center, said he expected the agency to get a new round of people interested in its rental and mortgage assistance program. The agency still had $100,000 in federal funds to help people who are at or under 80 percent of the area's median income.

"When unemployment benefits ceased, the agency saw a sharp increase in demand for our basic needs services," Stansberry said. "We expect the same reaction as a result of the ending of the moratorium as it relates to rent/mortgage assistance."

Landlords petition the court in order to evict someone from their property. A judge has to agree with the landlord in order for an eviction to be official. Capt. Brian Leer with the Boone County Sheriff's Department said deputies then deliver the notice of eviction to the tenant. Leer said the department delivered about 40 eviction notices a month before the pandemic and expected the same workload moving forward.

The Missouri Housing Development Commission still offers renters help though the State Assistance for Housing Relief program. The commission has given out more than $30 million through the program so far for 6,100 applicants.

Randy Cole, director of the Columbia Housing Authority, said he expected the lack of a moratorium to create a three-to six-month need in the community for help. Cole said rental housing stock may become a problem for the area. He said the agency is looking for landlords to participate in its housing voucher program to help people find shelter.

"The available units up for rent is becoming more and more challenging for the people to be able to locate ones," Cole said. "The challenge isn't necessarily getting assistance from us, it's finding a unit on the market."

Stansberry said the VAC is currently helping 64 families with housing needs across mid-Missouri.