United States: Supreme Court lifts moratorium on tenant evictions
Camp in front of the Capitol to protest against the end of the moratorium on tenant evictions (archive image).
Getty Images via AFP - JOSHUA ROBERTS
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
The United States Supreme Court on Thursday evening lifted the moratorium on tenant evictions scheduled until October.
A decision that puts an end to the protections granted to millions of people in financial difficulties in the midst of the pandemic.
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The highest American court, with a conservative majority, has ruled in favor of owners and real estate groups who claim to be victims of unjustified measures.
She ruled that any new moratorium on tenant evictions must henceforth be decided by Congress, not by the Biden administration.
The latter, due to a lack of agreement on the part of elected officials, had extended until October the moratorium which expired at the end of July.
"
If an eviction moratorium imposed by the federal authorities is to continue, Congress must specifically authorize it
," swept the Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, in an argument of fifteen pages.
Towards mass expulsions
The White House immediately expressed its "
disappointment
".
"
Because of this decision, families will have to face painful evictions, and communities across the country will be facing an increased risk of exposure to Covid-19,
" lamented the spokesperson for the US president , Jen Psaki.
"
President Biden once again calls on all entities that can - from cities and states to local courts, landlords and ministerial agencies - to act urgently to prevent evictions,
" he said. she adds.
►
See also:
United States: the end of the moratorium on evictions raises fears of a housing crisis
This dramatic turnaround the hopes of the American president and paves the way for mass expulsions.
It is estimated that about 10 million people in the United States are behind on their rent payments.
A paradoxical situation when a fund of 46 billion dollars is allocated by Congress to help families pay their rents.
But for administrative reasons, only $ 3 billion has been distributed to troubled tenants by states and local communities.
(and with
AFP
)
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