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07/26/2021 | Organizing for Housing Justice & A Home to Thrive

Seven Million Renters Are At Risk of Eviction

CPD network affiliates have been in the streets, organizing, rallying and lobbying since the pandemic began to keep their members in their homes and neighborhoods. So many of CPD affiliate members have experienced housing insecurity before and during the pandemic, and have been able to win significant victories for eviction protections at the local, state, and federal level; to cancel rent and mortgage debt; and for an unprecedented federal investment of millions of dollars of rent relief regardless of immigration status.

The Biden administration extended the CDC National Eviction Moratorium by only one month until July 31. The moratorium and extension does not go nearly far enough to protect families who are at risk of losing their homes due to  our government’s failure to provide relief for working families and communities during the pandemic. More than 7 million tenants are currently behind on their rent and at risk of eviction when the CDC Eviction Moratorium expires in July — with no national and few local protections for renters. 

CPD affiliates recently rallied to call on Congress and the Biden administration to pass universal protections against eviction and more time for rent relief to reach communities, and for a long-term transformation of the housing system so housing is decommodified. Leaders from Arkansas Community Organization, New York Communities for Change, Make the Road Nevada, Make the Road Pennsylvania, ACCE, and Detroit Action shared the need for continuing eviction protections to prevent mass homelessness and to unite and fight for deep investment in communities for housing and racial justice. 

Over the last year, our affiliates won 20 groundbreaking housing policy wins, including eviction moratorium and strengthened renter protections in 11 states covering 47 million renters, and directly impacting over 17 million people who were at risk of eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic. These victories were won from renters organizing grassroots eviction defense networks and building a national movement to cancel rent and protect tenants against evictions. CPD affiliates have been organizing to protect their communities in the short-term as well as looking forward to transforming our housing system so we all have a Home to Thrive. To support this critical work, please sign and share our petition to protect the 7 million renters at risk of eviction on July 31, and to join our fight by liking Renters Rising on Facebook and Instagram.