Douglas County Evictions News for Landlords

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Zach Neumann
Sept. 1, 2020
zach@cedproject.org
BREAKING: CDC issues nationwide eviction moratorium, halting non-payment
evictions starting Friday
Broad non-payment eviction moratorium aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 will keep
millions housed but underlying economic issues remain unaddressed and demand immediate
action.
Denver, CO – Today the CDC and HHS issued a moratorium on evictions for non-payment of
rent through the end of the year. The order goes into effect on September 4th and it applies to all
tenants who meet certain requirements and present a declaration to their landlords.
“The national moratorium on evictions, when implemented, will protect millions of Americans
from becoming homeless through the December holidays,” said Zach Neumann co-founder and
Executive Director of the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project.
This moratorium is an important step, but it does not address the underlying economic conditions
that brought us to the brink of an eviction crisis. The Senate needs to pass legislation that will
help struggling Americans stay housed. We need extended unemployment benefits under the
CARES Act to be extended, and renters and homeowners alike need cash assistance to pay rent
and mortgages.
“By our estimates, 30-40 million Americans could have been at risk of eviction by the end of
2020,” said Sam Gilman, co-founder of the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project. “It is
devastating that tens of thousands have already been evicted during the last six months of
non-action, but this moratorium could make a massive difference for millions of tenants if it is
implemented.”
To be eligible, renters must self attest that they: (1) have an individual income of less than
$99,000; or (2) did not have to pay taxes in 2019; or (3) received a stimulus check under the
CARES ACT. Renters must attest under penalty of perjury that they are unable to pay rent.
Qualifying individuals must also attest that they have undertaken their best efforts to obtain all
available government assistance for rent and that they are making their best efforts to make
partial or full payments where they can.
There are loopholes in the moratorium that may leave some renters at risk of removal, including
those renters who are not being evicted for lease violation other than non-payment of rent. “We
will need to watch for landlords who exploit loopholes that allow them to find arbitrary reasons
to evict tenants who have not paid their rents.” said Javier Mabrey, an attorney with the Covid-19
Eviction Defense Project. Nevertheless, this is an important step that will keep millions housed
as we fight COVID-19.