CDC imposes eviction moratorium
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| An eviction protest in July in Alexandria. [Janet Barnett/Connection] |
Northern Virginia residents worried about paying rent could be helped by a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order issued Sept. 3 to temporarily halt evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
That order is critical, as a moratorium on evictions authorized by the federal CARES Act expired on July 24. The Virginia Supreme Court refused to extend the eviction moratorium ordered by Gov. Ralph Northam, which is set to expire Sept. 7.
The Virginia Poverty Law Center earlier estimated 230,000 evictions will end up in court in the state by the end of 2020.
The CDC eviction moratorium, in effect through Dec. 31, applies to people with incomes less than $99,000 or $198,000 if married and filing jointly, unable to pay rent due to income loss or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses, and would become homeless or need to double up if evicted. Tenants facing eviction need to present a declaration to their landlord.
Other resources are available to help tenants avoid eviction.
Northam last week announced a $4 million initiative – with half the funds donated by Ikea – to expand legal help for people facing evictions. The funds will allow Legal Services Corporation of Virginia to hire and support 20 legal aid attorneys across the state.
Legal Services of Northern Virginia provides information to tenants about their rights. For example, landlords cannot evict a tenant or cut off utilities without a court order, no matter what the lease says. Tenants don’t have to move out because the landlord says they have to.
In Fairfax County, the Eviction Prevention Task Force is working to provide resources to tenants facing eviction.
Anyone who needs help with rent, utilities, or food should call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning, 703-222-0880.
Stay Home Virginia also provides resources for renters, homeowners, landlords, and the homeless.
For additional help, call the Eviction Helpline operated by the Virginia Poverty Law Center, 833-NOEVICT (833-663-8428).
