Local Agencies Say Rent Assistance Is Available After SCOTUS Blocks Biden Administration's Eviction Moratorium

Oklahomans in need of rental assistance can find help with local organizations despite the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the eviction moratorium that was set to expire on Oct. 3.

The U.S. Supreme Court voted 6 to 3 to block the Biden administration's eviction moratorium.

The Court states that the "CDC has exceeded its authority," and "if a federally imposed eviction moratorium is to continue. Congress must specifically authorize it."

Dan Straughan with the Homeless Alliance said he worries this will put a strain on their resources as people lose their homes.

“We have 900 shelter beds, and they are all today full, so an additional 20,000 households that could just be catastrophic,” Straughan said.

Straughan said the Homeless Alliance does have eviction prevention funding in place that they were not allowed to use during the moratorium. He encouraged tenants to seek out help along with resources from Community Cares Partners.

“Our numbers have been increasing not decreasing. We're reaching people all across the state and we receive applications from every county all 77 counties and we've helped about 11,000 families so far,” said Katie Fry with Community Cares Partners.

Fry said they have about $190 million to help with rental and utility assistance, but that does not address other challenges presented by the pandemic.

“People need continued assistance. People are still without jobs and are still facing eviction. And while this was keeping a little bit of hope to be able to get them back on their feet, without the moratorium, they can be on the streets tomorrow,” Fry said.

Community Care Partners said they can help a renter with up to 12 to 15 months of rent as long as they prove they've been impacted by COVID-19 in some way.