In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, millions of people who have been asked to practice social distancing and stay at home whenever possible may not have a home for much longer.
With unemployment benefits expanded and state and federal moratoriums on evictions expiring, “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver warned of a “catastrophe” that has been described as a “eviction tsunami” here in Massachusetts. .
“Experts predict terrible results,” said Oliver. “If evictions continue normally, this public health crisis could soon turn into a total homeless crisis.”
Oliver pointed out that evictions have consequences that impact people for the rest of their lives. Evictions can lead to damaged credit ratings, difficulties in obtaining housing, loss of employment and more. Oliver presented a series of statistics on the long-standing affordable housing crisis, including the fact that most households that rent below the poverty line spend at least half of their family income on rent.
With the rent paid in two days, Oliver asked state and federal lawmakers to approve any type of rent relief, criticizing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and others for “dragging their feet.”
“Although there are clearly no perfect options here, the worst thing we can do right now is nothing,” said Oliver. “Because every day we don’t act is a day when we are worsening another future crisis for millions of vulnerable tenants and their communities.”
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