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The Biden administration on Tuesday announced a new two-month federal moratorium on evictions to replace the broader one that expired over the weekend.
The new moratorium would take effect in areas where COVID-19 is on the increase and last until September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Without a federal moratorium in place, millions of Americans who fell behind on their rent during the pandemic have been evicted, according to the mosaic of state policies.
The state of California’s moratorium on evictions currently lasts until September 30.
Biden has previously said he does not have the legal authority to renew the moratorium and called on Congress to act. He said Monday he was still unsure whether a new ban would be constitutional, but added that it would at least temporarily help Americans.
“By the time he is litigated it will probably give a little more time,” Biden said.
The Supreme Court narrowly rejected an attempt to end the previous moratorium on evictions in June, but did not rule on the constitutionality of the federal ban.
Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, who joined Liberal Justices and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. in upholding the moratorium, made it clear he would block any further extensions unless there is “a clear and specific authorization from Congress ”.
Progressive Democrats blasted the White House for failing to extend the moratorium.
A small group of House lawmakers led by Representative Cori Bush (D-Mo.) Slept on the outside steps of the House chamber for five days in an effort to draw attention to the issue.
“It’s a huge victory,” said progressive caucus chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). “The president clearly understands that we have to keep people at home. “
States have failed to secure most of the $ 46.5 billion Congress provided as part of the emergency rent assistance program in January and March to those in need.
The Treasury Department estimates that only $ 3 billion, or 7% of available funds, had been distributed at the end of June.
According to California’s Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the state distributed $ 242.65 million in rent assistance to 20,066 households on Tuesday.
This is a tiny fraction of the $ 5.6 billion the state has received or expects to receive from the federal emergency rent assistance program, but more than double the amount. it was a month ago.
Agency spokesman Russ Heimerich said there had been a surge in claims since mid-June, when state lawmakers increased potential rent reimbursement to 100% and extended protections against evictions.
He said the agency was also working to reduce the processing time for applications to two weeks by streamlining red tape and doubling the number of workers.
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