THREE RIVERS LEGAL SERVICES LAUNCHES PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO ASSIST RENTERS FACING EVICTIONS AS CORONAVIRUS CASES SURGE
December 1, 2020 THREE RIVERS RENTERS ASSISTANCE
Three Rivers Legal Services is launching a public education campaign to help Floridians who are facing eviction because they have fallen behind on their rent.
On September 4, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a nationwide eviction moratorium to stop the spread of COVID-19. However, many renters have still not taken advantage of the eviction moratorium, which is currently set to expire December 31, 2020. TRLS has posted information for renters on its web site and created informational videos in English and Spanish.
“The CDC eviction moratorium stops any action by a landlord to remove a tenant because they are behind on their rent,” advised Natalie N. Maxwell, Director of Advocacy and Litigation at Three Rivers Legal Services. “However, the CDC moratorium is not automatic. Renters need to complete a declaration and give it to their landlord in order to be covered.”
Unlike the Florida moratorium that expired October 1, 2020, the CDC eviction moratorium covers anyone facing a financial hardship, regardless of whether it is due to COVID-19. To qualify for the CDC eviction moratorium, tenants must certify that they:
- have used their best efforts to obtain all available government assistance for rent or housing;
- their income is less than $99,000 per year ($198,000 if filing a joint return) for 2020, they were not required to file taxes in 2019 or they received a Stimulus Payment;
- they are unable to pay their full rent due to a substantial loss of income, loss of hours or wages, they were laid off or had extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses;
- they are using their best efforts to make partial payments of rent on time;
- if they are evicted, they are likely to become homeless and would need to move to a shelter or home shared by other people; and
- they understand they must still pay rent and follow the rest of their obligations under their lease agreement.
To be protected by the CDC moratorium, a tenant must sign a declaration and give it to their landlord. The Form Declaration can be found on the CDC’s website at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-eviction-declaration.html. A Spanish version of the declaration is available here: https://www.nhlp.org/wpcontent/uploads/CDC-Declaration-Spanish.pdf. Mass Access has created an online tool that creates a Form Declaration to be signed electronically at: https://massaccess.suffolklitlab.org/housing/#CDC.
“Even if a renter is currently being evicted by their landlord, they may qualify for the CDC eviction moratorium,” advised Ms. Maxwell. “If they are not sure whether the moratorium applies to them or their situation, they can consult with an attorney before signing the declaration.”
About Three Rivers Legal Services
With offices in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Lake City, Three Rivers Legal Services provides free, civil legal assistance and preventive legal education to low-income clients in Northeast Florida. For the health and safety of our clients and team, we are not currently taking in-person applications. However, anyone in need of civil legal help can call our legal helpline at 1-866-256-8091 or apply for help through our website at trls.org.
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