WISCONSIN— About one-third of all Americans are renters. To continue to protect tenants, the president signed an executive order that extends the eviction moratorium until the end of March, but some policy analysts point out there are loopholes in that order.
Giridhar Mallya is a Senior Policy Officer with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). He told us the foundation has two concerns with the federal protection for renters. Even though it's in place, the moratorium does not prevent eviction filings, the first step in the eviction process.
"It's starting a process that could end in someone losing their home, and we think that's not a process that should even start in the midst of a pandemic," Mallya said.
He pointed out many tenants believe the notice is an order to leave their homes or apartments even though they don't have to. According to RWJF, there have been more than 7,000 evictions in Milwaukee over the past several months and more than 100 just in the past week.
"I think that shows people that even though this moratorium applies to every renter in Milwaukee and even the state, that people are still being evicted," Mallya said.
Overall this affects mostly low-income tenants and renters of color, specifically Black and Latino both in Milwaukee and across the country.
RWJF would like to see the moratorium extended through the end of the pandemic and then an additional 90 days. Mallya also told us the loopholes have to be closed, something he said is within the power of the Biden administration.
If you are worried about being evicted there are several things you can do. Tenants are required to provide their landlord with a signed copy of the CDC declaration. If you do get an eviction notice talk to your landlord or a legal aid group in your community about your rights.