Without government action, a wave of evictions is coming. Millions were struggling to get housed or stay housed before the crisis, and the problem is now much worse with an additional 40 million-plus people suddenly unemployed in the last few months. Over 100 million people in 44 million households live in rental units, and in April, 2.3 million households did not pay any rent. That’s a 135% increase compared to April 2019. Things seemed to improve only slightly in May.
Meanwhile, nearly 4 million homeowners are not making mortgage payments, according to CBS News, and a recent study concluded that U.S. homelessness could increase by 45% because of coronavirus unemployment.
Federal legislation enacted in late March gave limited, temporary help to some homeowners and renters, and the homeless. For renters, the bill halted evictions for four months ending at the end of July, but it only covers about 28% of all rental units, and all the back rent has to be paid once the evictions moratorium ends. For homeowners, about 70% of mortgage holders were covered by a 60-day foreclosure moratorium, but that ended May 17. Homeowners can apply to have their mortgage payments delayed for up to a year, but the missed payments will be added back to the mortgage. A patchwork of local and state programs is likewise of not much help to those facing eviction or foreclosure, or who are already homeless.
People have been responding by organizing, engaging in rent strikes and making demands on legislators. The crisis makes clear that housing must be treated as a human right. As a start, this means cancelling rents and mortgages for the duration of the crisis, and housing the homeless permanently. It also means enacting a universal basic monthly income that is enough to live on. Let’s stop bailing out corporations, and start bailing out the people.
Bob Lee is a professional journalist, writer and editor, and is co-editor of the People’s Tribune, serving as Managing Editor. He first started writing for and distributing the People’s Tribune in 1980, and joined the editorial board in 1987.
