Editorials

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Eviction hotspots found in most cities before and during the pandemic

By on October 14th, 2021

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Editorials

Research at Princeton University shows that a large portion of eviction filings are made by just a few landlords in a handful of buildings.  In addition, most cities have neighborhoods that account for the largest share of eviction filings, both before and during the pandemic. Black renters continue to face eviction at rates higher than … Continue reading Eviction hotspots found in most cities before and during the pandemic

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

New bill proposal will speed up ERA payments

By on October 8th, 2021

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Editorials

Many state and local Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) programs have been slow in getting funds to desperate renters and landlords. New legislation in the House of Representatives will speed up ERA payments, if voted into law. It will also allow landlords to apply directly for emergency rental assistance, and provide protections for tenants in those … Continue reading New bill proposal will speed up ERA payments

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

How a government default could impact low-income renters

By on October 5th, 2021

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Editorials

Low-income renters will be badly hurt if Congress fails to suspend the debt ceiling before the middle of October. If the Treasury can no longer pay the nation’s bills, it would shut down most federal programs, including housing programs. A federal default would be catastrophic. It would badly damage the U.S. economy and global markets, … Continue reading How a government default could impact low-income renters

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

House proposes historic housing funds for infrastructure bill

By on September 16th, 2021

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Editorials

The House voted 30-24 last week to approve more than $330 billion in affordable housing funding for the bipartisan infrastructure package. The bill makes historic investments in rental assistance, public housing improvements, and the production of new affordable housing.  Housing advocates look at the bill as a once-in-a-generation commitment to affordable housing. Because these large … Continue reading House proposes historic housing funds for infrastructure bill

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

What the new CDC eviction moratorium means, and how it works

By on August 5th, 2021

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, COVID-19 Evictions, Editorials

On August 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new moratorium on evictions. Now, landlords and owners are not allowed to evict most tenants until after October 3, 2021. The CDC wants to prevent renters from having to move into congregate settings where COVID-19 spreads, stating that “Such mass evictions and … Continue reading What the new CDC eviction moratorium means, and how it works

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Eviction diversion programs keep tenants out of court and in their homes

By on July 22nd, 2021

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Editorials

Some state and local governments are taking steps to keep low-income renters out of eviction courts as the national eviction moratorium nears its end. These state and local eviction diversion programs offer renters and landlords a less costly alternative to eviction court. Eviction diversion programs also help most renters who are behind on their rent … Continue reading Eviction diversion programs keep tenants out of court and in their homes

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Persistent poverty counties and the digital divide

By on July 13th, 2021

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Editorials

There are hundreds of counties in the United States where poverty has been entrenched for decades. These are places where on average more than a quarter of the population lives in poverty. Although we tend to think of inner city urban areas when we think of extreme poverty, persistent poverty counties are overwhelmingly rural. What … Continue reading Persistent poverty counties and the digital divide

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Why housing is infrastructure

By on June 30th, 2021

Tagged As: Editorials

President Biden announced last week that senators have reached an agreement on an infrastructure bill, which would invest $1.2 trillion to improve America’s aging infrastructure.  Republicans have pushed to fund only what they see as “traditional” infrastructure improvements. This includes things like roads, bridges, railways, airports, and ferry terminals. It also includes improving and extending … Continue reading Why housing is infrastructure

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Arkansas renter group helps people keep their homes during the pandemic

By on June 17th, 2021

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, COVID-19 Evictions, Editorials

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 … Continue reading Arkansas renter group helps people keep their homes during the pandemic

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Some HUD residents still face eviction challenges during pandemic

By on June 10th, 2021

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, COVID-19 Evictions, Editorials

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 … Continue reading Some HUD residents still face eviction challenges during pandemic