When the CARES Act relief bill was signed into law on March 27, an eviction moratorium was enacted for 120 days on Public Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and FHA-insured multifamily properties. This eviction moratorium is set to expire on Saturday July 25.

In response to the fast-approaching expiration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released an “Eviction Prevention and Stability Toolkit” to help Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) landlords in planning and implementing strategies to avoid eviction. The toolkit provides the following resources:

• a Public Housing Authority best practices guide;

• a tenant brochure with tips to avoid eviction;

• Housing Choice Voucher landlord flyers to encourage engagement with tenants before the moratorium expires;

• and repayment agreement guidance.

The expiration of the eviction moratorium does not affect renters in FHA-insured multifamily properties or multifamily-assisted properties where the owner is receiving forbearance mortgage payment relief. A tenant living in such property cannot be evicted solely for nonpayment of rent for the duration of the forbearance period.

The State of Ohio has yet to establish a rental assistance program to address the oncoming wave of evictions. The federal government is returning this week to negotiate a new coronavirus relief bill, and while rent relief has been discussed at the federal level, there is no indication whether it will or will not be included in the next bill.

Read the HUD press release here, and explore the “Eviction Prevention and Stability Toolkit” here.

For Tenants:

Click here to search if your apartment is covered under the CARES Act eviction moratorium.

Fannie Mae’s advice to renters struggling to pay rent: contact your landlord right away to discuss your options. It may help to keep the following in mind for your conversation,

• Be candid about your situation. If you’re impacted by COVID-19 or other difficulties, share how your income has been affected.

• Consider mentioning any resources and assistance options you’ve found.

• Explain how your family would be impacted by a loss of housing.

• Ask about payment arrangements.

• Keep any email and text conversations and make notes of when you spoke in person.

During stressful financial times, your landlord is likely experiencing challenges as well. Try to communicate with them clearly and calmly.