I’m writing today to draw your attention to an urgent issue impacting Enroot families and many others like them across the country, and to request that you call on your local, state and national leaders to address it immediately.
Many of you are aware that millions of families across the United States may face eviction soon as state and federal moratoriums expire. Due to the widespread loss of jobs and wages, nearly 30% of Massachusetts residents have not paid at least one month’s rent or mortgage since March. Here in Massachusetts, 120,000 renters face eviction upon the expiration of the current eviction moratorium on August 18th, according to a study by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). The overwhelming majority of these households are in communities of color, according to a new report by City Life/Vida Urbana and researchers from MIT. According to the authors, “The study suggests that this ‘eviction tsunami’ will affect Black and Latino communities the most, precisely those most affected by COVID-19. It is possible that informal evictions are particularly common in low-income immigrant communities, especially those where many residents are undocumented.”
Many Enroot students and families faced housing insecurity even before the COVID-19 crisis. Over the last 10 years rents have risen significantly and outpaced the cost of living; many households now spend more than half of their income on housing. The extreme financial strains caused by COVID-19 have made it impossible for some Enroot families, and families like them, to pay rent. During the eviction moratoriums, several months’ worth of rental payments have been accruing. The unprecedented housing crisis that will unfold when moratoriums expire is compounded by the ongoing public health crisis. And if we do not take urgent action to ensure these families continue to have safe housing, it will no doubt exacerbate it.
The report cited earlier goes on to state that “In Boston, immigrant communities from Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean may be especially at risk of evictions without legal process. In one survey of renters in Boston’s Chinatown, 4 of 10 respondents said that they did not have a formal lease and nearly 8 out of 10 said they did not know where to access information about their rights as tenants. Of those in the survey who faced an eviction, nearly 6 out of 10 (59 percent) reported that the property owner or manager served the notice of eviction verbally, which does not comply with state law and leaves no record of displacement. Although court records are the best available data on evictions, they show only a fraction of the true extent of displacement and evictions.”
Fortunately, some lawmakers and philanthropic leaders have jumped into action. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is one of many prominent Massachusetts officials calling for Governor Charlie Baker to extend the current eviction moratorium beyond the August 18th expiration date. Massachusetts State Representative Mike Connolly is preparing legislation that would extend the eviction moratorium for an additional 12 months while providing mortgage deferment and financing for small landlords who lose rental income. Yesterday Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced The Protecting Renters From Evictions and Fees Act, which would extend eviction protections for nonpayment of rent for one year starting March 27, 2020. It would also expand the current federal eviction moratorium to include most renters. In a statement to Vox, Warren said “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. 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.”
Additionally, several relief funds in Massachusetts are providing financial support to help those unable to make rent payments.
These steps are encouraging, but we ALL need to use our voice to ensure our city, state and federal leaders are taking immediate action to address this crisis. Here are some steps we are urging all members of the Enroot community to take right away.
Call Governor Baker, or your Governor if you live in another state, and ask them to extend your state’s eviction moratorium.
Contact your state representatives and urge them to author or sign onto housing protection legislation like that put forward by MA State Representative Mike Connolly.
Contact your Congressional representatives and urge them to sign on to eviction protection legislation like that introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Contact your city’s elected officials and urge them to take additional steps to ensure none of your local neighbors are evicted from their homes.
Support philanthropic efforts to provide financial assistance to families facing severe financial hardship.
Mobilize your personal and professional networks through social media and email to help raise awareness and encourage more people to take action.
The right to adequate housing is one of the most basic and fundamental human rights. Immigrants, and people of color more broadly, have been celebrated as the heroes of this pandemic, working on the front lines as essential workers in our hospitals and senior homes, and ensuring we have food on our shelves, while many of us shelter in the comfort and safety of our homes. It’s unthinkable that we would let these very same individuals lose their homes when they need them most. Please use your voice to demand your representatives apply every policy tool possible to address the pending eviction crisis.
Thank you for taking action on this issue and for your steadfast support of Enroot students.
