Why a Historic Eviction Wave Still Looms Over the U.S.
Cars with sign 'Cancel Rent' are seen driving around downtown Los Angeles during a protest to cancel rent and avoid evictions, on Aug. 21.
Photographer: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
With nearly 10 million people in the U.S. out of work and pandemic safety-net programs set to expire within months, Americans are having to stretch financially to keep a roof over their heads. The latest in a series of government moratoriums may just delay, not avert, an eviction crisis of historic proportions.
About 11 million Americans have fallen behind on payments during the pandemic, according to a Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimate based on U.S. Census Bureau data. Many or most of those people could face eviction as soon as the latest federal moratorium expires in early October. In a Census Bureau survey completed in early July, before the latest federal eviction moratorium was imposed, an estimated 3.6 million households reported being somewhat or very likely to face eviction within two months.