With evictions in New York State expected to rise, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are pushing for legislation to increase protections for renters by expanding the nation-wide moratorium on evictions for housing through March 27, 2021. The Protecting Renters from Evictions and Fees Act of 2020 protects renters from immediate displacement and prohibits evictions based on nonpayment of rent, similar to the provisions included in the House-passedHEROES Act. In addition to universal expansion of the federal eviction moratorium, the bill prohibits any fines or charges associated with missed rental payments.
“For New Yorkers who were already rent burdened before the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing crisis has become an emergency in need of an immediate solution. It’s critical that Congress extend eviction moratoriums before they expire in just a few weeks,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Protecting Renters from Evictions and Fees Act would ensure New Yorkers have the stability needed to stay safe and recover from this unprecedented health crisis. In order to move forward and rebuild our economy, Congress must take immediate action to protect homeowners and renters across the country.”
“The economic toll of COVID-19 continues to fall hard on American families. Millions have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and are struggling to pay rent and keep a roof over their heads,” said Senator Charles Schumer. “It’s critically important that we protect our renters and the public health of our communities by expanding and extending the moratorium on evictions so that people can remain in the safety and security of their homes throughout this pandemic. That’s why I’m proud to support the Protecting Renters from Evictions and Fees Act of 2020 and I urge Congress to act now as the end of the eviction moratorium nears.”
Senators Gillibrand and Schumer have focused on stabilizing housing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The senators are cosponsors of the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act of 2020, which would establish an Emergency Rental Assistance program to provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance in order to help families and individuals pay their rent and remain housed during the coronavirus pandemic, and to help families pay back rent once the crisis is over. Gillibrand also cosponsored the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act, which would provide an additional $11.5 billion in critical funding to state and local governments to respond to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during this crisis.
Full text of the Protecting Renters from Evictions and Fees Act of 2020 can be found here.