Foreclosures, Evictions and Utility Cutoffs: Expiring Protections for People Facing Hardship During the Pandemic

Abstract

As 2020 comes to a close, many measures designed to protect homeowners and renters have already expired or are set to expire soon. However, the economic impacts of the pandemic have not lessened, as millions of people across the nation continue to struggle to pay their mortgage, rent, and utility bills. Widespread loss of housing will continue to worsen the pandemic as families struggle with the loss of means to social distance, isolate, and ensure basic cleanliness through daily access to facilities to bathe, shower, and wash their hands. Indeed, new research has confirmed that the expiration of eviction moratoriums and other renter protections in many states over the summer led to hundreds of thousands of additional COVID-19 infections and thousands of additional deaths.

This update bulletin provides details on the federal assistance programs set to expire soon. We urge homeowners and renters in need of assistance to take advantage of any available programs.

Keywords: housing, housing inequality, Black homeowners, Black renters, foreclosures, evictions