The recent scramble to reinstate the eviction moratorium shed light on the uncertainty of the housing situation of thousands in the nation. Prior to the last-minute reinstatement of the moratorium, New Orleans residents had to prepare to be kicked out of their homes or otherwise gamble on the possibility of receiving aid. A 2021 U.S. Census survey found roughly one in four residents in Louisiana have not been able to keep up with rental payments, and the problem is especially critical in New Orleans because of the high cost of living and acute poverty.
Given the rampant spread of the Delta variant in the Southern U.S., the CDC made the wise decision to halt evictions until October of this year. If you or someone you know is struggling to pay rent, this pause on evictions is good news but you should take some precautions to secure your housing situation:
If eligible, give your landlord a CDC Declaration to protect you until October
Seek assistance for rent and utility bills
Find a housing counselor to help you find assistance
Know your tenant and debt collection rights
Prepare appropriate options in case you end up facing eviction
