Millions of people lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic and as a result began falling behind on their rent. The moratorium, enacted by the CDC last fall, has played a significant role in keeping these tenants in their homes. Since it expired Saturday, housing experts are concerned about a potential wave of widespread evictions.
“What that means is that now, families who might have been relying on that, rent is still coming due," said Alieza Durana, a journalist with the Eviction Lab at Princeton University.
"And according to the US Census Bureau poll survey, as many as 10 million people in the United States either have no confidence or slight confidence in their ability to pay rent next month.”
Since the eviction moratorium expired, leaders in Mississippi say there hasn’t been a swell of landlords seeking eviction and they’re not expecting it short-term.
James Burwell is a Mississippi Apartment Association Board Member. He says while landlords are cooperating with tenants, the Renter’s Assistance program is being underutilized.
“We are in the people business. We want people to stay in their homes but at this point, the only way we can encourage that and have that happen is if rental assistance is getting directly to people in the most need,” said Burwell.
According to Burwell, only about 6% of the Renter’s Assistance funds have been issued to Mississippians so far. He points to lack of public consciousness and access to the online application. Burwell also says disbursements have been slow to make it to the hands of those who have gotten approved. The association is implementing new strategies to increase awareness in communities statewide.
