If you’re facing eviction, you’re not alone. Many families in the United States are struggling to stay in their homes, despite a federal ban on the eviction. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer alone – there are many resources available to help you. These resources include Housing counselors, legal resources, financial assistance, and education.
Housing counselors
Housing counselors help people facing being evicted disputes with landlords and apply for rental assistance. They also help renters maintain financial literacy and prepare repayment plans. In addition, they educate tenants on good rental practices and healthy home maintenance. They can also help them prepare for eventual homeownership. Finally, housing counselors can refer clients to legal aid organizations for assistance.
Many housing counseling agencies are responding to the rising number of renters who are facing eviction. In fact, a new Urban Institute report highlights the ways that the field is responding to the crisis. The report found that the demand for rental counseling increased during the housing crisis, which led counseling agencies to expand their services. They also shifted from in-person to virtual counseling services.
Legal Resources
Fortunately, there are legal resources available for low-income families facing eviction. The city of New York, for example, guarantees free legal help to any family facing eviction. Although funding has fluctuated over the years, the de Blasio administration has increased this aid tenfold, to $62 million. As a result, evictions have decreased by 24 percent, and 40,000 more residents have been able to stay in their homes. In addition, this year, all families facing eviction in the city are guaranteed free legal assistance. The free legal help will be available to families with incomes of less than $50,000. However, free counsel will be limited for those with higher incomes.
Federal and state government agencies have also stepped in to protect renters facing eviction. Federal emergency rental assistance may protect tenants during the eviction process, and an affidavit filed with the state may help stop the eviction. The state can also help a tenant enter a repayment plan with a landlord. To learn more about these protections in your state, contact a housing counselor or legal aid.
Education
There are many issues surrounding education and eviction. Evictions are particularly common among Black and Latinx households with children. Prior to COVID-19’s lifting of eviction moratoriums, the rates of evictions in such neighborhoods were much higher. Schools need to explore strategies that protect school-age children from eviction.
One of the most effective ways to help families facing eviction is education. According to the Census Bureau, about one-fourth of renters with children have fallen behind on their rent, and federal data show that 1.4 million students are homeless. Many school districts have created an additional staff to help families apply for housing assistance programs. For example, in the Moses district, a part-time employee was hired to help parents gather documents to prove their eligibility.
Health care
Healthcare providers and health organizations have to be more proactive when it comes to housing insecurity and eviction. The first step is to screen for eviction and housing insecurity. Healthcare professionals can use guides to help them identify patients who are at risk of eviction, and they should be aware of local housing resources. In addition, they should know about the social and economic supports that are available in the community to help those who are facing eviction.
Evictions are associated with poor health outcomes. They can make it difficult for people to get the medical care they need. This can result in losing Medicaid coverage and not getting the necessary treatment. Furthermore, eviction can make it harder to get prescriptions and make an appointment with a doctor. Moreover, eviction is a health equity issue, especially for single Black women with children, who are often at the highest risk for eviction.
