Combatting Eviction in a Time of COVID

More than 22 million Americans have lost their jobs since the onset of the pandemic. As a result, in early January, American households were $40 billion behind in utility bills and $32 billion in rental arrears. A stimulus package that earmarked $25 billion in rent and utility assistance helped some as did a federal moratorium on evictions, issued first by the Centers of Disease Control, followed by Congress, and extended by President Biden through March, 2021. But is it enough?

Over the past few years, Cleveland has made great strides in combatting evictions. In June, 2020, the right-to-counsel program was launched, guaranteeing free legal representation in eviction cases for extremely low-income residents. Yet the threat of eviction isn't solely an urban problem. In Cuyahoga County, there are about 76,000 renters, who are facing − or are at risk for − eviction. About 80 percent of those households are led by women of color, and at least 60 percent had at least one child in that home.

While the federal assistance and moratorium provided relief for some, more assistance is needed as the threat of a housing crisis looms. Join us as we talk with experts about the efforts underway to help renters and landlords in urban and suburban areas of Northeast Ohio.

The livestream will be available beginning at 12 p.m. Have questions? Tweet them at @TheCityClub or send a text to 330.541.5794.