The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ordered a halt in residential evictions through December 31, 2020, for tenants that meet certain criteria.
The CDC guidance applies to tenants residing in multi-family housing financed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development when the tenants certify that they meet the following criteria:
- All adults in the household have attempted to obtain any available government assistance for rent;
- The household meets annual income limits of $99,000 per individual or $198,000 per couple;
- The household is unable to pay full rent due to a loss of household income or extraordinary medical expenses;
- Timely partial payments have been attempted;
- Eviction would likely make the household members homeless or force them into an unsafe shared living arrangement.
The halt of tenant evictions is authorized under Section 361 of the Public Health Act, 42 U.S.C. 264 and 42 CFR 70.2. For additional information, see page 55292 of the September 4, 2020, Federal Register.
Where state or local guidance is more restrictive than the CDC notice, owners and agents of USDA-financed multi-family housing must closely follow the more restrictive local guidance. In Oregon, House Bill 4213 prohibits late fees. It also provides a repayment grace period.
We appreciate the continued commitment of our multi-family housing partners to provide quality housing during this difficult time. If USDA-financed multi-family housing properties are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 and tenant inability to pay rent, Rural Development will continue to accept forbearance requests under the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act through December 31, 2020.
To learn more about forbearance options provided in the CARES Act, visit Rural Development COVID-19 Response website.