Warren Bill Would Halt Nearly All Evictions During Pandemic, Expanding CARES Act Protections

Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Monday filed a bill to stop evictions nationwide during the coronavirus pandemic.

The measure, filed with Democratic Rep. Jésus G. “Chuy” Garcia (D-Ill.) would extend the duration and reach of the eviction moratorium that was part of the coronavirus relief package signed into law this spring.

"Renters who have lost their job or had their income reduced shouldn't have to fear losing their homes in the middle of a pandemic,” Warren said in a statement Monday announcing the bill. “Housing is a human right and an absolute necessity to keep families safe during this crisis, and Congress must step in now to help keep people in their homes.”

Warren and Garcia’s bill, called the Protecting Renters from Evictions and Fees Act, would extend the current 120-day halt on evictions that was part of the CARES Act for an additional eight months.

The moratorium would also apply to nearly all renters and landlords, not just those of federally-assisted housing properties or landlords with federally-back mortgages as under the CARES Act.

Co-sponsors of the bill include Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey and Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Jim McGovern and Joe Kennedy.

The bill comes on the heels of a report from housing justice organization City Life/Vida Urbana showing that communities of color in Boston are disproportionately affected by evictions in the city. The report is based on data compiled by MIT researchers.