The National Alliance to End Homelessness today expressed its dismay at U.S. District Court Judge Dabney Friedrich’s ruling to vacate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) temporary eviction moratorium.
“Despite the endless disruptions that the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the nation, the CDC eviction moratorium ensured that it would not displace people from their homes,” said Nan Roman, President and CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. “This ruling would be devastating for those at the greatest risk of becoming homeless, and the systems that serve them.”
The latest federal data shows that homelessness was on the rise in the United States even before COVID-19, and that crisis response systems were under-resourced to meet the growing need. Since the onset of the coronavirus, providers have struggled with shortages of the staffing, supplies, and physical space needed to continue to serve the most vulnerable members of the community. Despite their heroic efforts to innovate and continue their work, this ruling will overwhelm the nation’s infrastructure to serve those without homes, and almost certainly have a disproportionate impact on people of color.
“The nation cannot afford further increases in homelessness, and that is exactly what this ruling will do,” said Roman. “The Alliance is hopeful that this ruling will be appealed. In the meantime, this underscores the vital importance of targeted Emergency Rental Assistance funds, so that people will not be forced from their homes.”