CDC Orders Moratorium on Evictions for Qualified Individuals

Access to affordable housing continues to be a challenge for the disability community, especially because the pandemic limits safe participation in the workforce due to medical vulnerabilities. Our members that assist individuals to find housing may be interested in this agency order from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). The order halts residential evictions for nonpayment of rent through Dec. 31, 2020. The moratorium applies to all tenants who meet certain eligibility requirements and applies to all properties.

To be covered, renters must:

• Have used best efforts to obtain all available government assistance for rent or housing;
• Have individual income less than $99,000 OR did not have to pay income tax in 2019 OR received a stimulus check under the CARES Act;
• Be unable to pay rent due to income loss or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses;
• Do their best to make partial payments; and
• Expect they will become homeless or have to share a residence in close quarters if evicted.

Renters must meet these requirements and sign a declaration to their landlord to be covered.

Members interested in learning more about this issue might find the National Housing Law Project’s initial statement informative.