On July 31st, the federal eviction moratorium, put in place as the pandemic took hold in 2020 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, expired. On August 3rd, the Biden Administration announced a moratorium that is similar but does not presently cover all Massachusetts residents – but it will give the Commonwealth time to act on the COVID Housing Equity bill, which we at MLRI are working diligently to see passed.

The reality is that even today tenants across Massachusetts continue to be at risk of eviction during this escalating public health crisis. Advocates fear confusion around the CDC order will result in displacement, and its expiration will bring a new wave of eviction cases. It’s worth noting that when the state allowed its moratorium to expire last fall, more than 19,000 people were sued for eviction and thousands of pending cases that were on hold resumed making their way through the court system.

At MLRI, we are urging tenants not to panic, not to move out, and to seek rental assistance and legal aid. The silver lining to this very dark cloud is that there are unprecedented amounts of federal funds available to help with rent and mortgage payments, utility assistance, and moving expenses. Tenants should apply immediately for assistance. There are also free legal services lawyers available to provide advice and representation, and community organizations to offer support and information.

• For rental assistance, call 2-1-1 or find your local housing agency from the MassHousing Housing Consumer Education Centers at https://www.masshousinginfo.org/.
• For legal help and information, call 2-1-1 or visit the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project site at https://evictionlegalhelp.org/.
• To speak with a community organizer or connect with grassroots organizations in your area, call or text the Homes for All Massachusetts hotline at 617-819-0188 in English or Spanish. https://homesforallmass.netlify.app/

Please help to spread the word about the assistance that is available. Post this information on your website and through social media, flyers, and newsletters, and at meetings. Many tenants facing housing insecurity do not know how to get rental assistance and free legal aid. As we face another surge of COVID cases, we must ensure that tenants are getting the help they need to stabilize their housing.

To learn more about the COVID Housing Equity legislation – and ways you can support its passage – please visit HomesForAllMass.org.