Encourage Tenants to Seek Rental Assistance

By Wendy Cole

A CDC-led eviction moratorium ends on Dec. 31, but NAR considers an extension likely because “No president wants to have people forced on to the streets in Jan.”

and Prevention (CDC) in September will likely to be extended past the Dec. 31 end date written into the original declaration, said Megan Booth, the National Association of Realtors®’ (NAR) director of federal housing, valuation and commercial real estate policy.

“No president wants to have people forced on to the streets in January,” Booth said during the Property Management Forum at the Realtors Conference & Expo on Monday.

NAR says that expectation for an extension is fueling its drive to keep pushing for urgently needed rental assistance to housing providers so they can pay their mortgages and other bills needed to maintain their properties.

The national moratorium was implemented to address the added public health risks if overdue tenants are forced from their homes in the midst of a pandemic. In some states, evictions are already banned past Dec. 31. In California, the ban is in place until Feb. 1.

In some states, the CARES Act provides rental assistance, though it’s up to the states to create programs. In most cases, though, tenants must make the request themselves, Booth says – neither landlords nor property managers can seek it on their behalf, with a single state exception: Mississippi.

Amy Hedgecock, the forum’s vice chair, made it clear that rent is not forgiven during the moratorium and late fees can still be charged. It is also not the responsibility of landlords to notify tenants about the CDC order.

More immediate help for tenants who are struggling with rent and other immediate needs during this difficult time is available from the United Way. Nationally, the United Way’s 2-1-1 program, which connects people within information and referrals, is available in 96% of the country, said Hilary Palotay, director of the 2-1-1 national initiatives at the United Way.

With the COVID-19 crisis plunging many more people into desperate situations, the demand for United Way’s services skyrocketed. Call volume has jumped 200% in the past year. Palotay said she expects the 2-1-1 program expects to handle 20 million calls and make 14 million referrals this year.

“Requests for rental assistance have become a top need,” says Palotay.

In addition to rent help, the uptick in requests triggered by the pandemic have largely been for utilities assistance, food, and medical costs. Property managers and building owners interested in helping tenants can direct them to call 211, which is set up as a nonemergency number in most states.

“We encourage people in need to dial 211 as soon as possible, as soon as they realize they will have trouble paying,” Palotay says. “The earlier they call, the more help is available.”

Source: National Association of Realtors® (NAR)

© 2020 Florida Realtors®

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