Millions of struggling tenants will likely be protected from eviction – at least another month.
The stimulus bill that was passed by Congress late Monday night will extend the national ban on evictions until Jan. 31. The package will also provide $ 25 billion in emergency rental assistance. But the aid bill has yet to be signed by President Trump.
But if the package passes, none of the measures will likely be enough to keep the highest-risk tenants in their homes in January.
Struggling to stay afloat
Kelly Green, who lives in a $ 1,429-a-month apartment in Daytona Beach, Florida, has been unable to pay rent since September.
“The only reason I have a roof over my head is because of the evacuation moratorium,” Green said.
Green earns his living by selling motorcycle clothing with rhinestones and sequins at motorcycle rallies and other festivals.
After the March closure, there were no festivals or events and no income. However, she amassed her savings, incentive payments, rent exemption and unemployment insurance payments and managed to get rent by July. But he did not know how he would get to the end after the $ 600-a-week additional unemployment benefit ended.
Green has heard about a coronavirus rental fund provided by Volusia County, where he lives. She called for assistance and received $ 4,500 for the three-month rent.
But there was an obstacle: the rent assistance program in Volusia County requires tenants to be aware of the rent starting March 13, 2020. Green remained with the rent in February and, as a result, his apartment complex would not accept the aid.
Without this money, Green could not pay the full rent for October, November or December. And, since it exceeded its lease in November, it now has a monthly lease, which is $ 500 more expensive per month.
“Even if the moratorium is extended, the money is going against me,” she said. “What would help me the most is if I get a check for rental assistance for three months, that I take it.”
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