The CDC created the moratorium to protect residents from being evicted during the coronavirus pandemic and prevent the spread of the virus. To qualify for the new moratorium, renters must prove in court that they are out of work because of the coronavirus, and are pursuing government assistance. Jarvis Dortch with the ACLU of Mississippi says in the long run the moratorium doesn’t help -- as renters go into more debt and landlords are losing money. “The only way that we’re going to be able to head all this off is for the state and the federal government to actually make sure that these landlords are paid and that people actually have an option to stay in their home or apartment and not just face a mounting amount of debt,” says Dortch.
Meghan Elder, with the Mississippi Apartment Association, says landlords need rent to maintain their property. But, she thinks it’s better to establish a payment plan with tenants rather than evict them. She also wants lawmakers to pass legislation that will provide tenants with substantial housing assistance. “I think if Congress or even the Mississippi State Legislature could put this on the ballot, I mean this is something that’s very important not only to Mississippians but to all renters across the country,” says Elder. “I think in the next six months if not sooner we need to see some type of rental assistance so that these residents can continue to make payments and the landlords don’t suffer.”
The CDC moratorium is set to expire at the end of December.
