NEW YORK–An “unprecedented eviction crisis” will soon hit the United States, according to one new analysis, but the crisis may be muted in part depending on what all is included in any new stimulus package passed by Congress.
As CUToday.info reported earlier, last week the federal moratorium on evictions in properties with federally backed mortgages and for tenants who receive government-assisted housing expired. The Urban Institute has estimated that provision covered nearly 30% of the country’s rental units.
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow has said the Administration supports an extension on the moratorium on such evictions. Many statewide moratoriums are also expiring, with CNBC reporting evictions have resumed in more than 30 states.
CNBC noted that by one estimate, some 40 million Americans could be evicted during the public health crisis.
“There could be that many evictions in August,” said John Pollock, coordinator of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel.
States With Least, Most Risk
Massive unemployment has left more than 40% of renter households at risk of eviction, according to a new analysis by global advisory firm Stout Risius Ross. That analysis found some states will be harder hit than others. For example, nearly 60% of renters in West Virginia are at risk of eviction, compared to 22% in Vermont, CNBC said.
“People of color are especially vulnerable. While almost half of White tenants say they’re highly confident they can continue to pay their rent, just 26% of African American tenants could say the same,” the report added. “Around half of Hispanic tenants said they have little to no confidence they’ll be able to stay in their homes.”