Ban on Renter Evictions During COVID-19 Pandemic Is Extended

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is extending a federal moratorium on evictions of tenants who’ve fallen behind on rent during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Monday moved to continue the pandemic-related protection, which had been scheduled to expire on Wednesday.

The moratorium is now extended through the end of June. The moratorium initially was put in place last year.

It provides protection for renters out of concern that having families lose their homes and move into shelters or share crowded conditions with relatives or friends during the pandemic would further spread the virus.

To be eligible for the housing protection, renters must earn $198,000 annually or less for couples filing jointly, or $99,000 for single filers; demonstrate that they’ve sought government help to pay the rent; declare that they can’t pay because of COVID-19 hardships, and affirm they are likely to become homeless if evicted.

In February, President Joe Biden extended a ban on housing foreclosures to June 30.