Are you or a loved one facing eviction? You are not alone. COVID-19 has disproportionally impacted people with disabilities and exacerbated unemployment and housing instability. But there is help. Read on to learn more.
Update (Effective May 3, 2021)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a new rule building on the CDC eviction moratorium. The new rule takes effect May 3 and states that debt collectors (which includes landlords) can be prosecuted for failing to provide tenants written notice of their rights under the moratorium and for misrepresenting a tenant’s eligibility under the CDC order.
Gov. Cooper’s executive orders on the moratorium already required that landlords seeking to evict tenants must provide those tenants with a copy of the moratorium declaration, but this new rule strengthens these protections and applies to “debt collectors” generally, which includes landlords as well as attorneys for landlords.
The biggest takeaway from all this is that the CFPB can investigate landlords/debt collectors who may be in violation of this new rule. If someone believes their landlords are not following the eviction moratorium, they can file a complaint at https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/.
Get Free Legal Help
DRNC only assists with eviction cases that are disability-related. There are a couple of other organizations that can help with other types of eviction cases. This page also contains a bilingual Spanish / English video presentation on the CDC eviction moratorium, including information for immigrants.
The Mediation Network of NC has a free eviction mediation program. For more information, listen to this message (en español), view this flyer, or contact them:
Landlord Tenant Line
Phone: (336) 461-3300
Fax: 888-236-3069
eviction.mediation@earthlink.net
You can also call Legal Aid of NC which offers free legal help for tenants facing eviction: 866-219-5262
Additional Resources
Call 211 or visit https://nc211.org/ to find assistance and resources in your area.
Information about your housing rights during COVID-19 from DRNC.
Learn about the CDC Eviction Moratorium
The CDC issued a moratorium to stop evictions. DRNC joined up with several other organizations to provide a bilingual information session about this information. This session includes information for immigrants.
You can also check out this video about the moratorium from Stop Evictions Network. Jesse Hamilton McCoy II, from Duke Law’s Civil Justice Clinic, explains the current housing crisis and actionable steps folks can take to defend and advocate for themselves against eviction. Download the moratorium declaration form.
The CDC moratorium has been extended through July 31, 2021. It is absolutely necessary to extend the moratorium on evictions until the end of the pandemic to avoid an eviction crisis. Learn more about the moratorium, as well as resources for tenants, homeowners, and community organizing.
View other resources and information related to COVID-19.