In the age of Covid-19, evictions are on the rise as many Americans struggle to make ends meet; but Massachusetts housing equality advocates say the eviction crisis goes deeper than housing.
On Thursday October 21st, dozens gathered outside the Massachusetts State House located in the heart of Downtown Boston to protest what they call “needless evictions” in the Commonwealth. To date, over 24,000 evictions have been filed in Massachusetts which impact renters and homeowners alike. Nonprofit organization CityLife held the rally to urge lawmakers to pass H1434, otherwise known as the Covid19 Housing Equity bill.
On October 18, 2020 Massachusetts ended its Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures, despite the lack of economic recovery and the continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Moratorium was seen as a saving grace for thousands of residents who otherwise would have been left homeless. Only a month before this in September 2020, The Boston Globe reported that Massachusetts had the highest unemployment rate in the United States, making the choice to end eviction forgiveness senseless. Even now, the unemployment rate rests at 5.2% while the U.S. average is 4.8%. While that rate is considerably lower than that of October 2020’s 8.5%, it didn’t drop below 7% until March of 2021 and has since began rising again.
What does this mean for the people of Massachusetts? According to housing equity advocates, it goes far past homelessness. CityLife argues that studies have shown that people who lose their homes are more likely to report poor physical and mental health, and they’re right. There are multiple studies that have shown a direct correlation between evictions and health. For the thousands of MA residents who have lost their homes, and the millions in the U.S. overall, the eviction crisis has only made it harder to stay afloat both financially and physically. The seemingly never ending cycle hasn’t let up, and it likely won’t until something is done to prevent additional evictions. That something is the Covid-19 Housing Equity Bill.
The Covid-19 Housing Equity Bill, (also known as H.1434) is an act to prevent further evictions as well as promote equitable housing recovery. The bill claims it will “ensure that landlords pursue and cooperate with rental assistance programs”, “protect the most vulnerable tenants from forced removal”, and “pause no-fault evictions”. In addition to preventing evictions and protecting those most impacted by them, the bill also aims to ensure rental assistance funds are equally distributed amongst those in need.
When taking a closer look at the eviction crisis, it’s apparent that there’s a racial disparity as well. Not only are Black and Hispanic women at a greater risk of being evicted from their homes, but Black Americans overall face a higher eviction rate despite making up only 20% of renters in the United States. H.1434 aims to solve this problem, or at least begin to. Racial housing inequality has always been an issue, but the Covid-19 housing crisis only furthered the divide and made it abundantly clear that evictions are not just an economic issue, but a social justice one, as well.
As one month comes to a close and rent is due for hundreds of thousands who can’t pay it, the eviction crisis will only continue to worsen until action is taken. Massachusetts lawmakers have the power to do right by their constituents and make real, significant change in the lives of thousands.
To urge your local legislators to support the Covid-19 Housing Equity Bill, go to homesforallmass.org for instructions and more information.
Hi Madison, thank you for bringing the discussion about Boston’s eviction crisis. I truly appreciate the fact you used data to help us understand the depth of the issue. Especially when racial I equality is involved. As you presented, these people are already in a position of precarity. And eviction will not only worsen the situation. Indeed, it will make them more vulnerable to threats like COVID in particular. Another element to underline is the fact that the general racial inequity makes them less likely to access opportunities. And paired with the high cost of living in Boston, the threat of precarity is persistent. For this reason, I agree with the fact that the new housing regulations must consider this aspect.
I appreciate the fact that this bill is called an equity bill and not an equality bill because as always, black and brown individuals get the short end of the stick. Correlating the eviction crisis as a public health crisis is not something that I thought of comparing it with, but you are right in that realm. The more exposed the evicted individuals would be to COVID-19, and their mental health would decrease significantly due to uncertainty. Evicting people also does nothing for the increasing homeless population in the city either, which has yet to be addressed. I think that the city of Boston should stop trying to monopolize on these extremely high rent and mortgage cost and provide fair housing cost, where people wouldn’t have to find multiple roommates to live within their wage and overall reduce the possibility of eviction.
Madison,
I found this post to be really insightful and eye-opening. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected so many aspects of our lives. With so many of us confined to our homes for the past two years almost, it’s disheartening to know that thousands of people will be losing that crucial aspect if this bill doesn’t pass. It’s a no-win situation, especially for the minority population that is already so impacted by numerous factors, like employment, health insurance, and getting housing to begin with. I think you’ve outlined the importance and urgency of passing this bill really well. Now more than ever, the Commonwealth needs to step up and protect the mental and physical health of its residents and ensure that the eviction moratorium is reinstated to provide a sense of security in these difficult times. This eviction crisis, as Keffrey noted, is a public health crisis and displacing thousands of people only puts them, and others, more at risk for COVID-19. I think we do need to question how Massachusetts lawmakers can make this possible and avoid the ever present question of “will this raise taxes?” This needs to go beyond taxation as those opposed need to consider the health and lives of others who face homelessness due to exorbitant rent costs that seem to only be increasing in the face of unemployment and lost wages from the pandemic. I’m also curious as to how landlords will be cooperative with rental assistance programs and how the bill can ensure that. There’s a level of trust and duty that needs to be imposed here to make sure the Housing Equity bill works for the masses who need it. I think elected officials can also use this as an election opportunity to keep the faith of their citizens by giving back to their communities and avoiding homelessness. I hope to see this bill pass and have bipartisan approval because it does more good for the state than bad, and thousands of residents deserve at least a place to call home after the tumultuous two years we’ve had during this pandemic.