Navigating COVID-19: Health Policy Solutions – Housing

The economic crisis caused by COVID-19 threatens housing stability across the nation. With record unemployment, many Americans are struggling to pay the bills, putting them at eventual risk for eviction or utility shutoff. A patchwork of federal, state, and local responses has focused on keeping people in their homes through eviction moratoriums, rental assistance, and other methods. These protections, however, are temporary by design, have limited impact, and do little to promote equitable outcomes long term. Policy solutions should prioritize keeping people safely housed during and after the pandemic. Details of the temporary policy solutions and recommendations for enhancing these solutions are detailed in this brief, with a focus on issues of particular impact on low-income renters.