Opinion: Economic, social costs of evictions staggering
Hamilton County Municipal Court should impose a moratorium on evictions. The situation is dire. We are in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic. And people are suffering from the resulting economic collapse that we have come to find has had a much harsher effect on people than the Great Recession.
People have lost their jobs in industries that are showing no signs of coming back. The supplemental unemployment assistance from the federal government has expired, and the federal moratorium on evictions has expired – all of which will cause even further hardship to those already struggling.
We need time – time to connect those struggling and seeking assistance with agencies that have the funding to help.
And there is help available. Hamilton County commissioners have allocated $3.5 million of CARES Act funding to eviction prevention programs at Community Action Agency (CAA), Talbert House and Freestore Foodbank. This funding comes just at the right time, but all of our agencies are overwhelmed with the increased demand for rental assistance. Over the last few days, CAA has seen a five-fold increase in applications for rental and utility assistance. We currently have over 900 people in the pipeline waiting for help, with more contacting us for help every day. And Talbert House and the Freestore are having a similar experience.
No one should be evicted from their home just because they are waiting in line for assistance. The court should give the time necessary to allow tenants to access funding so they can remain in their homes. Of course, allowing this time also benefits landlords, who are the ones receiving the payments. Waiting is a win for everyone. Importantly, the need for a moratorium is only for evictions for nonpayment of rent. Those are the ones that involve families we can help. Evictions for reasons other than nonpayment should move forward in the ordinary course of business.
The economic and social costs of evictions are staggering. Evicted families have a much greater risk of experiencing homelessness. Evictions uproot children and disrupt their education. Evictions make it that much harder to find and keep a job.
We need the court to act now. Before we see what will certainly be an untenable surge of families experiencing homelessness.
Mark B. Lawson is president and CEO of the Community Action Agency of Cincinnati-Hamilton County.
