Millions in the US facing eviction

Renters risk homelessness as federal moratorium ends amid virus resurgence

Washington: Millions of Americans could find themselves homeless as a nationwide ban on evictions expires, against a backdrop of surging Covid-19 cases and political finger-pointing.

With billions in government funds meant to help renters still untapped, President Joe Biden has urged Congress to extend the 11-month-old moratorium after a recent Supreme Court ruling meant the White House could not do so.

But Republicans baulked at Democratic efforts to extend the eviction ban through mid-october, and the House of Representatives adjourned for its summer vacation without renewing it.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said blocking the measure was “an act of pure cruelty ... leaving children and families out on the streets”.

Several left-wing Democrats spent the night outside the Capitol in protest, calling out their colleagues over the failure to act.

“We slept at the Capitol last night to ask them to come back and do their jobs. Today’s their last chance,” tweeted Congresswoman Cori Bush, who has herself experienced homelessness and was joined by fellow progressives Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley.

With the clock ticking down, the country was braced for a heartbreaking spectacle – families with their belongings at the wondering where to go.

One of those at risk is Terriana Clark, 27, who was living out of a car with her husband and two stepchildren for much of last year.

Struggling to pay rent after a bout of illness, she told The New Orleans Advocate she applied for aid four months ago, but is still waiting.

“If it comes, it comes. If it don’t, it don’t. It’s going to be too late for a lot of people. A lot of people are going to be outside,” she said.

In Michigan, Mary Hunt, who makes minimum wage driving a medical taxi, also fell behind on her rent on a mobile home because she got sick with Covid-19. Served with curbside eviction papers, she frets over what to do with her five cats and dog.

“I’m not going to leave any of them behind. If I lose this house, they go in the car with me. People can think I’m a crackpot, but I’m not giving up my family,” Hunt said.

Roxanne Schaefer, 38, already suffering from myriad health issues, including respiratory problems and a bone disorder, is one of the millions fearing homelessness.

In a rundown Rhode Island apartment she shares with her girlfriend, brother, dog and kitten, she is US$3,000 (RM12,600) behind on her US$995 (RM4,100) monthly rent after her girlfriend lost her job.

Boxes filled with their possessions were behind a couch in the apartment, which she says is infested with mice and cockroaches.

The landlord, who first tried to evict her in January, has refused to take federal rental assistance, so the only thing preventing him from changing the locks and evicting her is the moratorium.

Her US$800 (RM3,300) monthly disability check won’t pay for a new apartment. She only has US$1,000 (RM4,200) in savings.

“I got anxiety. I’m nervous. I can’t sleep,” said Schaefer, over fears of being thrown out on the street.

“If he does, I lose everything, and I’ll have nothing. I’ll be homeless.”