LANSING, Mich. — Millions of Americans will not be able to pay their rent this month. A flood of landlords filing evictions that was feared back in the spring has now started. Housing advocates for both tenants and landlords are desperate for solutions. Chris Conte takes a closer look at how the eviction process is playing out even though there is an official nationwide moratorium.
Grace ross is drowing in paperwork. Literally, her office is filled with boxes, overflowing with affidavits.the housing crisis in this country she says has taken on a life of its own. We’re talking about a long-term economic impact grace, runs an anti-foreclosure non-profit.where every day her team is fielding calls from people who have run out of money to pay their rent and are now facing eviction.
People are panicked, I think the low-level panic that we’re all running around COVID already and then you add that elders might die on the street, or children who can’t go to school remotely moratoriums on evictions have largely ran out nationwide.
COVID cases are also spiking across the country meaning Americans who are trying to quarantine at home to stay safe are losing their homes. Housing courts in many states are still closed so eviction hearings have to be done via zoom which presents its own challenges.
One of the areas of law where people self-represent the most is evictions cases, so it’s the worst case to have this happen in Grace Ross is also an attorney. Before COVID, lawyers would often resolve cases without a judge getting involved. Now though, evictions hearings are being drawn out because attorneys can’t meet in-person.
Adding another layer of complexity to the housing crisis. When courts try and work remotely you cut out the non-verbals, the interactive nature, anybody who has zoomed knows trying to figure out who is talking when there’s a lot of people .
Nearly 12 million adults live in households that missed their last rent payment. 23 million have little or no confidence in their ability to make the next one. It's not just renters, landlords who make less than 50 thousand dollars a year are also being hit hard because they get most of their income from tenant’s rent.
That street level economy is the one that is just collapsing under the weight of COVID in a million different ways. A fractured economy, struggling to heal in the middle of the pandemic.
Most states have non-profits working to help renters on the brink of eviction. If you fall behind on your rent talk to your landlord to see if you can work out a plan. Keep copies of any important documents including your lease and, reach out to a housing non-profit in your area.they typically provide free legal help. rebound COVID evictions process
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