Gabe Imondi, a Rhode Island landlord aged 74, came to court to try to get his apartment back. He was fed up with waiting for federal rental assistance, and he wondered aloud “What they’re doing?
Luis Vertentes was later told by a judge that he had three weeks to move out of his one-bedroom apartment at East Providence. After being hospitalized, the 43-year old landscaper claimed he was now four months behind in rent.
Vertentes stated, “All because of this pandemic, I’m going to become homeless.” “I feel helpless. I feel like I can’t accomplish anything, even though I work full-time.”
These scenes were seen from North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, and beyond on Monday, as the eviction process, which saw a dramatic decline in cases over the weekend before a federal moratorium expired, returned to action. As the coronavirus delta strain surges, activists fear that millions of people will be forced onto the streets.
The federal moratorium was allowed to expire by the Biden administration over the weekend, and Congress could not extend it.
Congress was expected to provide historic amounts of rental assistance that would help avoid a crisis. The distribution of the $25 billion first tranche has been slow. Only $3 billion was distributed by localities and states through June. The states will receive a second $21.5 billion.
According to the Aspen Institute, more than 15 million people are in households that owe their landlords as much as $20 Billion. According to the U.S Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, 3.6 million Americans faced eviction within the next two-months as of July 5.
Chelsea Rivera, a single mother from Columbus, Ohio showed up to Franklin County Court Monday after she received an eviction notice. She is a single mother who owes $2,988 in rent, late fees, and rent for her one-bedroom apartment that she rents with her three sons.
According to the 27-year old, she began to struggle after her work hours at Walmart were cut in May. The 27-year-old has applied for help at numerous agencies, but they are either out of cash, on a waiting list or unable to help until clients appear in court with an expulsion notice.
Rivera stated that she is mentally ready to move in a shelter with her kids.
She cried, claiming that she needed help. It’s been difficult to deal with daily issues and worry about the future.
Virginia was a more hopeful place. Tiara Burton (23 years old) learned that she would be receiving federal assistance and wouldn’t have to be evicted. At first, she was afraid of the worst after the moratorium was lifted.
