Author: Chris Holden
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Biden administration to extend CDC eviction moratorium through end of July
The national eviction moratorium that has protected millions of low-income renters during the pandemic has been extended through July 31 by the Biden administration, after it was set to expire at the end of this month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order has been extended several times. Without the eviction moratorium, millions…
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Arkansas renter group helps people keep their homes during the pandemic
An eviction intervention program in Arkansas is helping keep low-income renters from losing their homes. Led by Arkansas Renters United, the effort involves gathering eviction information online and using grassroots outreach to connect with renters in danger of eviction. Arkansas Renters United (ARU) is a project of Arkansas Community Organizations. ARU works to mobilize individuals…
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Some HUD residents still face eviction challenges during pandemic
While serving the most vulnerable people in our communities, some HUD Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) around the country have used the eviction process to push renters into paying back bills. Renters in federally assisted housing have been protected from eviction through most of the pandemic. The CDC eviction moratorium is in effect for low-and moderate…
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Biden’s FY22 budget increases housing opportunities for low-income renters
Last month, President Biden released a broad outline of his Fiscal Year 2022 budget. Last week, the president followed up with more details. The updated FY 2022 budget has specific amounts proposed for each federal program. This includes federal housing programs at HUD and USDA. President Biden’s annual spending proposal includes modest increases for most…
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Biden proposes big boost for low-income workers and families
President Biden proposed a new $1.8 trillion investment plan last month that will help low-income families with accessible education, direct household support, and tax cuts. The American Families Plan follows up on the $2 trillion American Jobs Plan, which proposed massive infrastructure and affordable housing investments. Although there are no affordable housing funds in the…
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New guidance makes it easier for renters to get Emergency Rental Assistance
The U.S. Treasury Department recently published revised guidance for states and cities on how to use the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds that Congress approved last December. The new guidance issued this month makes it easier for low-income renters to access ERA, reversing earlier rules that heavily favored landlords. An earlier FAQ document in March…
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Federal judge orders Los Angeles to provide housing to Skid Row homeless
A federal judge has ordered sweeping measures by the City and County of Los Angeles to address their homelessness crisis. Judge David O. Carter’s order also called for all homeless residents of the Skid Row area to be offered shelter or housing by October. Los Angeles has seen rising homelessness over the last several years.…
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Millions of renters at risk as federal judge strikes down CDC eviction moratorium
Update: On May 14, a federal court extended a temporary stay on this ruling. That means that the CDC moratorium on evictions will stay in effect while the case is being appealed. This week, a federal judge struck down the national eviction moratorium ordered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Millions of…
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HUD reverses Trump admin effort to exclude transgender people from shelters
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) withdrew a proposed rule recently that would have allowed shelter operators to discriminate against homeless transgender persons. Originally proposed during the Trump administration, it would have pushed more transgender people experiencing homelessness away from shelters and services. HUD’s announcement says that the previous administration’s proposed rule runs…
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Landlord screening practices can keep good tenants out
One of the big challenges low-income renters face when searching for new housing is the landlord screening process. A recent study breaks down which areas are important to landlords screening new tenants, and highlights the problems that disqualify good tenants. The Housing Justice Fund and Family Housing Fund in Minnesota published a study in March…