Let me repeat my headline for today’s column; The United States Supreme Court ruled last week that landlords can legally evict tenants who cannot pay rent. A moratorium had been in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but in all of its wisdom, the Justices who sit on the U.S. Supreme Court have now deemed that renters don’t need any more assistance, I guess. People are just supposed to live on the street, in the midst of the coronavirus picking up speed again, in terms of newly confirmed cases being on the rise every day that goes by.
The federal eviction ban, which protected millions of struggling renters while frustrating landlords across the country, ended for the second time in just four weeks.
Last Thursday, August 26th, the Supreme Court blocked the latest eviction moratorium, writing in an unsigned, eight-page opinion: “Congress was on notice that a further extension would almost surely require new legislation, yet it failed to act in the several weeks leading up to the moratorium’s expiration”. The end of the federal protection has landlords declaring victory and housing advocates calling it a “tragic” and “avoidable” outcome.
The eviction moratorium was put in place last September of 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the spread of coronavirus. When it expired at the end of July, of this summer, there was a strong reaction from housing advocates and members of Congress and local elected officials and leaders, that ending the ban before the bulk of the federal government’s $46 billion in emergency rental assistance was distributed would undermine the point of the moratorium in the first place.
Because of that outcry, August 3, the CDC issued a new eviction ban covering areas where Covid infection rates are elevated, protecting about 90% of renters. The new moratorium was challenged in court by landlords and real estate companies, leading to the Supreme Court’s newest ruling last week.
In a U.S. Census Bureau survey conducted at the beginning of August, more than 3 million renters said they will likely have to leave their home due to eviction in the next two months.
Many renters struggling to get by, were hoping to receive emergency rental assistance from the government to pay their back rent and remain in their home. The latest eviction moratorium had provided a critical backstop to ensure they stayed in place until that money was received.
But of the $46 billion in emergency rent relief money, only $5.1 billion had been distributed through July, according to the Treasury Department. That means about 89% of the money set aside for renters had yet to be distributed.
State and local governments are working to improve programs to distribute emergency rental assistance to those in need, but they need more time. The Supreme Court’s decision will lead to many renters, predominantly people of color, losing their homes before the assistance can reach those that truly need the help. For Rental assistance information, log on at: www.phlrentassist.org, or call the Philly Tenant Hotline at 267-443-2500. You can also call Community Legal Services at 215-981-3700 to get legal assistance.
Now, as for the people of Afghanistan who helped the United States military for twenty plus years while we fought to try and save their country for them, what are we to do? I am imagining that many of them put their lives on the lines and acted as spies to help keep our servicemen and women safe while we were over in Afghanistan. Of course the Afghanistan people who worked with us, and acted as allies, are expected protection and so yes, now that the Taliban have taken over Afghanistan, the Afghanistan people who helped us, want out of that war-torn nation. If they stay, they could face execution.
The thing is, we pay the price for taking in our allies. What will America offer them? They will get free room and board, food, medical care, and some will even get jobs. Others will get all kinds of assistance in finding jobs. Their children will get free public education. As a Christian woman, I know we’re not supposed to “hate on anyone”. We’re supposed to love everyone, even our enemies. But just being honest with our SCOOP Readers, I have to confess, I’ve been struggling with this one for the last 4 or 5 days now.
Ultimately I had to seek wise counsel from my Pastor, Reverend Henry Busby, pastor of Solid Rock Baptist Church at 1836 Federal Street in South Philadelphia. Here’s what Pastor Busby said to me. “You are among many Americans who feel the same way in regards to how our Government seems to easily give a leg up to foreigners upon their arrival, but refuse to give realistic support to their current U.S. citizens. However, when I look at it from a Christ-like perspective, I know we are commanded to help the helpless, be they foreign or domestic, because they both do hunger and thirst to get their needs met. As Christians we must do our part by showing compassion to both. (Matthew 25:35). And the Lord will deal with these heartless politicians who show no compassion for the struggling population of Americans, that negate legislation that will feed, clothe and house the needy. (Isaiah 61:8). Psalm 106:3).“
