Pandemic sheds light on affordable, equitable housing issues
MARYLAND – Affordable housing advocates say many are struggling with decisions like whether to pay for groceries or fork over rent money. “The pandemic has just brought to light the need for affordable housing, the value of affordable housing, and its importance in American society,” said Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Owen McEvoy.
McEvoy says the issue doesn’t stop with people who need housing. It also impacts Maryland’s job market. “The affordable housing construction industry is a huge employer either directly or indirectly in the state of Maryland. It creates thousands of jobs in construction, design, and planning,” said McEvoy.
Lawmakers pre-file affordable, equitable housing legislation
Because of the need for affordable and equitable housing, legislators pre-filed bills for the 2021 legislative session. One of the bills is House Bill 90, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. Another is House Bill 58, the Workgroup on Minority Homeownership, Neighborhood Revitalization, and Household Wealth Equity.
President of Maryland REALTORS Dee Dee Miller says she and other realtors have been working with lawmakers to get affordable housing legislation passed. “At some point I think we’re all going to have to come together with some smart decisions, working over county lines even, and between different county governments,” said Miller.
Impact also felt on the local level
Meanwhile, people are also feeling the impact on a local level. Executive Director of Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services Cheryl Meadows says even before the pandemic, renters were struggling. She says now they’re being disproportionately impacted by financial struggles amid COVID-19. “Typically they’re people that are working in the food service industry, or the entertainment or retail industry, which are the jobs that have been impacted the most severely,” said Meadows.
Meanwhile, Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County tells 47ABC that they’re also working to help with rental assistance or finding affordable housing. “My best advice for families in Wicomico County and across the state is to reach out to municipalities, non-profits, and counties. Reach out to everyone and ask for help,” said Executive Director Molly Hilligoss.
Threat of evictions looms
Meadows says another issue is the threat of evictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Meadows says she’s worried about what might happen if the federal eviction moratorium isn’t extended after it expires at the end of January. “It’s a very scary thought. There are so many people I think that will be facing eviction once the moratorium ends, that will be evicted. I think the shelters are going to be full,” said Meadows.
Meadows says people facing eviction should be prepared to show that they were financially impacted by COVID-19 in court. Meadows says people should know that the CDC has declarations ready for people who need one. “They need to make an appearance and tell the judge why they’re behind – that they have been affected by COVID,” said Meadows.
Meadows also says it’s important to remember that rent is not forgiven under the federal moratorium. Instead, the debt accumulates until the moratorium expires and then renters would have to pay up. “I just think there’s a lot of confusion around the moratorium. It’s been extended so many times,” said Meadows.
