Can you pay my bills?: Renting during COVID-19

The CDC’s eviction moratorium to block the eviction process for tenants who cannot pay rent ended on August 26, 2021. In a public health emergency like COVID-19, this ensures people can quarantine, isolate, and social distance to prevent the spread. This Supreme Court decision spurred national discussion on housing policies for the most vulnerable, financially-strained residents. This week, Nimo and Jas cover the status of wage growth, housing costs (and affordability) as we approach the final weeks of federal emergency renter assistance (ERA) programs and rising evictions in states and towns with little tenant protections. Press play to hear: Data on gaps between wages and productivity in the last 40 years compared to home and rent pricesHousing affordability as nearly half of renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on housingCOVID-19 Minnesota case study: federal renters assistance and eviction moratoriumsThank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.Subscribe or send us an email to connect with us!RESOURCES:The State of the Nation's Housing 2021The Productivity–Pay GapHow Home Prices and Household Incomes Changed Since 1960HUD Rental Burdens: Rethinking Affordability MeasuresOut Of Reach: The High Cost of HousingFederal Moratorium on Evictions for Nonpayment of RentStudy: Lifting Of Eviction Moratoriums Linked To Thousands Of Excess DeathsExpiring Eviction Moratoriums and COVID-19 Incidence and MortalityRentHelpMNMN Housing: The Eviction Moratorium is EndingStates lag in distributing rental assistance while millions are behind on rentNLIHC ERA Spending Tracking