Nola Reporter

A bill introduced in late June by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) intended to head off millions of evictions expected nationwide this month has gained little traction.

Warren and 17 Democrat and Independent co-sponsors introduced Senate Bill 4097 into the Republican-controlled chamber in an effort to halt evictions through March 2021.

The legislation also would require landlords to provide tenants 30 days eviction notice after the ban is lifted.

SB 4097 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

The legislation came about a week after a warning by UrbanFootprint, an urban planning software company, that up to 6.7 million rental households could face eviction this month. July will be an especially delicate time for renters across the nation because the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation that has been adding $600 a week to unemployment payments runs out at the end of this month, according to UrbanFootprint analysis.

Federal and state evictions bans also are expected to expire this month, according to the analysis.

If allowed to proceed without intervention, the outcome would be "staggering," the analysis said.

"Across the country, nearly 7 million households could face eviction without government financial assistance," the analysis said. "These are heavily rent-burdened households that have likely experienced job loss as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. This level of displacement would be unparalleled in U.S. history and carries the potential to destabilize communities for years to come."

Women and minorities would be disproportionately at risk of eviction barring a swift economic recovery or additional federal aid, according to the analysis.

"The path back to pre-COVID economic activity and employment levels is unpredictable at best," the analysis said. "This leaves the fate of many renters and communities in the balance."

While Senate Republicans have been very hesitant to consider stimulus bills aimed at assisting Americans, the U.S. House passed legislation that would provide emergency relief to tenants and homeowners on the same day Warren's bill was introduced .  

Sponsored by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), House Resolution 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020, would provide about $100 billion to emergency rental assistance programs. The proposed legislation also sets aside about $75 billion for homeowners and extends the CARES Act ban on evictions and foreclosures through March of next year.

The Senate has taken no action on HR 7301.