CDC issues new eviction moratorium for areas of substantial and high transmission of COVID-19

Key Takeaways

On August 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new eviction moratorium halting evictions for nonpayment of rent in counties with heightened COVID-19 transmission through October 3. The moratorium is intended to stop the spread of COVID-19 as new developments in the pandemic evolve, including the rise of the delta variant. The new targeted order comes after the CDC’s initial eviction moratorium, which applied to communities nationwide, expired on July 31. The expiration of the initial moratorium caused concern among housing stakeholders and public health experts who worried that it would result in a wave of evictions across the country and push people into congregate settings such as homeless shelters, possibly furthering the spread of COVID-19 at a critical time in the pandemic.

The new eviction moratorium applies in counties experiencing substantial and high levels of community transmission, as defined by the CDC. The CDC classifies community transmission values as low, moderate, substantial or high. To view county transmission values, click here. Counties that progress from low or moderate to substantial or high levels of community transmission while the moratorium is in effect will be subject to the order. Conversely, if a county stops experiencing substantial or high levels of community transmission for 14 consecutive days, they will no longer be subject to the moratorium unless transmission levels rise again.

The new eviction moratorium, which is expected to affect roughly 80 percent of counties and 90 percent of the population, will help to stem a wave of evictions and ensure that individuals are able to remain stably housed through the pandemic. The moratorium will further help to alleviate the burden on already strained county budgets arising from an increased need for social, supportive and housing services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The moratorium will also provide state and local governments with additional time to distribute the funding they received through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program and perform outreach to ensure that individuals are aware of the assistance available.

NACo will continue to monitor federal action around eviction moratoriums, rental assistance and housing policy. NACo has also established a federal Emergency Rental Assistance program resource hub, a COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse and a breakdown of funding provided in the American Rescue Plan Act, which counties can utilize to navigate the funding and assistance available to them as they work to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic at the local level.

Additional Resources

• NACo Blog: Treasury releases updated FAQs on federal Emergency Rental Assistance program
• NACo Blog: Treasury issues addendum to Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) reporting guidance
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Rental Assistance Finder tool