State activists say eviction cases were filed in violation of the CARES Act’s ban on evictions. Pre-trial settlement conferences are further complicating the situation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating economic impact on renters across the United States. Though several states issued moratoriums on evictions earlier this year and the Centers for Disease Control recently ordered a federal eviction moratorium that will last through the end of 2020, these actions have not and will not stop landlords from trying to remove tenants from their homes for nonpayment of rent.
In many cases, the CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium does not affect a state’s specific eviction moratorium, offering no extra security for tenants who are already facing the threat of being removed from their homes. In all cases, tenants will still owe rent to their landlords, and in many cases landlords can still file eviction complaints in the courts. In New Jersey, for instance—despite a temporary ban on evictions from federally financed properties via the CARES Act, a statewide eviction moratorium for all renters, and suspended eviction court proceedings—30,000 eviction complaints have been filed since March, and many tenants have lost their homes. Tenants’ rights advocates and lawyers say a number of pending eviction cases filed between March and July 25, when the CARES Act protections expired, are in violation of the federal law.
Taking a closer look at what has happened in the Garden State these last several months could provide guidance on how the CDC’s broader eviction moratorium could be better enforced, and what advocates should be paying attention to.
Pre-trial Eviction Settlement Conferences
In March, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy issued ....
FULL STORY: The CARES Act Was Supposed to Protect NJ Tenants from Eviction. It Didn’t.
Proposed $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Includes $30 Billion Each for Transit and Rent Relief
Democrats in Congress are moving forward with a massive COVID stimulus package—with or without Republicans.
In Unprecedented Times, Nothing Less Than Universal Rent Relief Will Do
An intimate look at what it’s like fighting for meaningful state-level rent relief when the powers that be don’t believe everyone is worth saving.
Federal Rent Relief Is a Public Health Imperative
To ensure families stay in their homes and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government should extend the CDC's eviction moratorium and other rent relief measures through the new year.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service