RI HOUSE REPS INTRODUCE RESOLUTION CALLING ON GOV. RAIMONDO TO IMPOSE A STATEWIDE EVICTION MORATORIUM

On July 17th, members of the Rhode Island House of Representatives introduced a resolution requesting that Governor Raimondo issue an Executive Order imposing a moratorium on evictions due to COVID-19, while at the same time exploring ways to protect landlords.

The resolution was introduced by the Honorable State Representatives:

• Anastasia P. Williams
• Christopher Blazejewski
• Karen Alzate
• Joshua J. Giraldo
• Camille Vella-Wilkinson

On behalf of Homes RI, we would like to recognize Representative Anastasia Williams for her continued leadership and advocacy on behalf of Rhode Islanders facing housing insecurity, and thank her for introducing this resolution. We also acknowledge and thank Representatives Blazejewski, Alzate, Giraldo, and Vella-Wilkinson for co-sponsoring.

As the resolution highlights, the pandemic is not over — Rhode Island remains under a state of emergency for “declared dangers to health and life due to COVID-19.” And today, July 24, a federal moratorium protecting millions of tenants in federally-assisted housing programs expires — without any extension or further action from Congress, thousands more Rhode Islanders are now at risk of being evicted into the pandemic.

The State’s programs to assist tenants with rent arrears — Housing Help and Safe Harbor — have helped, but neither program has enough funding to meet the overwhelming need, with applications for each far exceeding the number of households projected to be assisted. As we expressed in our July 13 blog, multiple measures including additional funds for housing stabilization, court-based eviction mediation, and a statewide eviction and foreclosure moratorium are necessary to protect public health and further economic fallout.

Safe, healthy and affordable homes are more important than ever. Home is the ultimate space — not only our place of rest, but the pandemic has turned our homes into schools, work spaces, places for entertainment and staying healthy.

We welcome this resolution as an affirmation that Rhode Island residents should not be forced from their homes during a global pandemic and thank the sponsoring Representatives for this measure. If Governor Raimondo does not issue an Executive Order imposing a statewide eviction moratorium soon, we call on the General Assembly to take further legislative action to protect Rhode Islanders from losing their homes during this time of crisis.