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SALT LAKE CITY — Unless new protections are put in place, an estimated 30 million to 40 million renters could face eviction in the coming months, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
“The United States may be facing the most severe housing crisis in its history,” said the report from the Aspen Institute.
If renters can’t afford their housing, the institute warns that many property owners will also not be able to make mortgage payments.
“If conditions do not change, 29-43% of renter households could be at risk of eviction by the end of the year,” the report goes on to say.
Utah’s 45-day protection against evictions expired in mid-May and the federal moratorium on evictions expired in July. That moratorium was one of the many ways state and federal government officials responded to the financial crisis caused by the pandemic.
“Monday morning we had a line in front of our building the whole morning,” said Bill Tibbitts, associate director of the Crossroads Urban Center, which runs an emergency food shelter. “For us, that’s a sign that some of the types of short-term relief are wearing off.”
Tibbitts said the concern is how the unemployed will be able to afford September’s rent now that they are no longer receiving the extra $600 weekly boost from the federal CARES Act, which also expired in July.
“We’re worried that things are going to get worse,” he said. “There’s just no doubt that we’re going to see a wave of evictions and a wave of people needing help.”
Affordable housing advocacy groups have called on Gov. Gary Herbert to issue a new moratorium on evictions, including members of Wasatch Tenants United who gathered at the Salt Lake City and County Building Wednesday evening.
The Utah Apartment Association said most Utahns are keeping up with their rent payments and that a new eviction moratorium isn’t needed.
“If you look at the eviction numbers, we are 41% below average for evictions,” said Paul Smith, the apartment association’s executive director.
Smith said that those who are struggling to pay rent are finding help by working with their landlords, through charity or other assistance programs.
“Utahns are generous,” he said. “Churches, family members are working with and helping people pay rent, so landlords, for the most part, are being made whole.”
He encouraged those needing assistance to apply for Utah’s rental assistance program.
Earlier this month, the Utah Department of Workforce Services adjusted the requirements of the $20 million program, making it so those receiving unemployment benefits are now eligible to apply.
To apply for the rental assistance program, renters can call 211 or visit 211utah.org.
