Evaluating COVID-19 Eviction Crisis

Policy Responses in Prolonged Emergencies

Abstract

COVID-19 was one of the most unexpected and devastating catastrophes of the 21st century. It not only forced tenants out of their homes and into hospital beds, but also onto the streets. In response, the U.S. government implemented short-term measures such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s eviction moratorium and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which yielded equally temporary results. While such short-sighted resolutions could be attributed to the persistent nature of the pandemic, the federal government’s failure to adapt, and the inconsistent responses from state governments, ultimately led to a vicious eviction crisis across the country. In this paper, I will evaluate the challenges and shortcomings of the response to the COVID-19 eviction crisis. Through an analysis of Alabama Association of Realtors v. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as state and city policies implemented after July 2021 in Minnesota, California, Seattle, the District of Columbia, and New York, I will show that extensive eviction moratoriums must be in place during national crises to ensure adequate and adaptable legal protections. Ultimately, I will highlight the need for structured and collaborative efforts among federal, state, and local governments to effectively address eviction crises by balancing protections for tenants and landlords during prolonged emergencies.