After Months-Long “Cancel the Rent” Campaign, Rent Relief in Sight
September 2, 2020, Hyattsville, MD – CASA’s Executive Director Gustavo Torres issued the following statement after the Centers for Disease Control issued an eviction moratorium until December 31, 2020, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
“After months of protests, rallies, and car caravans through the ‘Cancel the Rent’ campaign, CASA is pleased to see the CDC’s announcement. Homelessness of millions would compound the coronavirus pandemic the country is facing. Parents and their children already affected by the coronavirus – especially Black and brown families who too often are essential personnel – have already been abandoned once by the lack of continued stimulus relief efforts. With no monetary investment from the federal government with the CDC’s announcement, it’s clear the Trump administration has washed its hands of this crisis. The Republican leadership controlling the Senate can’t continue to fail working families and provide comprehensive relief. Families have nowhere else to turn.”
Despite CASA’s months-long mobilization and advocacy campaign for help, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has failed families, allowing the eviction moratorium to end in July. Now, CASA with a coalition of 80+ diverse organizations is calling on Speaker of the House of Delegates Adrienne A. Jones, Senate President Bill Ferguson, and members of the Maryland General Assembly to reconvene for a special session.
In Virginia, CASA is working with legislators during the legislative special session called into order to protect families affected by COVID-19. CASA strongly recommends the Virginia General Assembly support SB5051/HB5111 – extending evictions moratorium, SB5088/HB5064 – rent payment plan, and SB5118/HB5117 – utilities payment plan. These bills would extend protections against evictions and utility cutoffs and would also provide the much-needed support to working-class Virginians across the Commonwealth.
In Pennsylvania, CASA demands that the state legislature work with Governor Tom Wolf for rent relief, organizing just yesterday a rally in front of the York County District Court with affected community members to raise awareness of the 400,00+ families who could be evicted in the state.
