ACLU Comment on Biden’s Executive Order Extending Eviction Moratorium

WASHINGTON — President Biden issued a day one executive order today extending the moratorium on evictions in federally assisted or financed properties. The order extends the federal eviction moratorium from Jan. 31, when it was originally set to expire, to the end of March and intends to offset the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Below is a comment from Ian Thompson, Senior Legislative Representative at the ACLU, in response:

“We commend the Biden administration for extending the eviction moratorium, a critical move that will help keep the most vulnerable, low-income renters stably housed during a global pandemic. But this order must be met with additional immediate action by Congress to address the looming mass evictions crisis. Millions of renters across the country are now thousands of dollars behind on rent, and the eviction moratorium extension, while essential, does not provide adequate financial relief, protect all tenants, or address the unfair and complicated eviction proceedings many tenants face once they are brought into court.

“The Biden Administration and Congress must act by providing billions in funding for emergency rental assistance, providing funding support for cities and states to implement a right to counsel for tenants in eviction proceedings, and expanding the eviction moratorium to cover all renters. We need this meaningful action to stop mass evictions during the pandemic and beyond. All people — regardless of their circumstances or background— should have access to safe and stable housing.”