Trump Bans Evictions Nationally Through End of the Year

President Donald J. Trump yesterday imposed a four-month moratorium on residential evictions. The move does not assist those landlords who must continue making mortgage payments. Read More.

Meanwhile, National Multifamily Housing Council President Doug Bibby had this to say in response:

We are disappointed that the Administration has chosen to enact a federal eviction moratorium without the existence of dedicated, long-term funding for rental and unemployment assistance. An eviction moratorium will ultimately harm the very people it aims to help by making it impossible for housing providers, particularly small owners, to meet their financial obligations and continue to provide shelter to their residents.

Not only does an eviction moratorium not address renters’ real financial needs, a protracted eviction moratorium does nothing to address the financial pressures and obligations of rental property owners. Without mortgage forbearance protections and protections from other property-level financial obligations such as property taxes, insurance payments, and utility service, the stability of the entire rental housing sector is thrown into question.

We agree with Secretary Mnuchin, Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer that policymakers need to come back and negotiate a strong rental assistance program. Furthermore, we believe renter protections are best left to state and local officials who better know their housing markets and can tailor protections to the varied and unique eviction laws and judicial processes across jurisdictions.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan extended the Emerald City's eviction ban through 2020 on August 14th.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown extended the state foreclosure ban until the end of 2020 on August 31st.