CDC Says It Can't Act as Biden Looks for Ways to Prevent Evictions
President Joe Biden's administration is attempting to delay the mass eviction of millions of people that looms after the lapse of a federal moratorium on housing evictions for people who haven't been able to pay rent during the coronavirus pandemic.
"The administration remains deeply committed to doing everything in its power to keep people safely and securely housed, which is essential to the health, well-being, and dignity of us all," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement on Monday—just days after U.S. House negotiations over extending the eviction ban collapsed and lawmakers headed back to their districts for the August recess.
The White House, citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed the moratorium to run through Saturday, has argued that Congress must act to extend the eviction ban because it can't be done through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) because of a June Supreme Court ruling. The CDC had previously put the moratorium in place citing health concerns because of COVID-19.
A U.S. Census Bureau survey last month indicated about 7.4 million people are behind on rent. About 3.6 million were found to be "somewhat likely" or "very likely" to face eviction in the coming months.
According to the White House, Biden asked the CDC on Sunday to consider using executive action to extend the moratorium by 30 days in counties with high or substantial case rates.
"To date, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and her team have been unable to find legal authority for a new, targeted eviction moratorium," Psaki said in the statement. "Our team is redoubling efforts to identify all available legal authorities to provide necessary protections."
About 33 percent of the potentially affected renters live in states or localities that have instituted their own moratoriums. Those remain in place.
Biden is calling on others to adopt similar measures until Congress can act. He also is pushing for more of the billions in federal dollars dedicated to renter and landlord relief to go out, as just $3 billion of the more than $46 billion has been spent.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more information.
