GuaranteedHousingStability — File 210735

Resolution supporting the Guaranteed Housing Stability Act (H.4878/S.2831), to prevent a wave of evictions in Massachusetts in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. WHEREAS: Massachusetts House Bill H.4647, “An Act providing for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 Emergency,” was signed into law in April 2020, and is regarded as one of the most effective policies in the nation to prevent mass evictions, homelessness, and thereby enhance public health and safety; and WHEREAS: The coronavirus is not under control, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and the resulting economic and public health conditions remain dire; and WHEREAS: On October 17, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases ticking upwards and outdoor temperatures falling, the Massachusetts Governor and State Legislature allowed the Eviction Moratorium to end, thus subjecting tens of thousands of families in the Commonwealth to eviction proceedings; and WHEREAS: The United States Census Bureau estimates that 32% of Massachusetts adults live in households “where eviction or foreclosure in the next two months is either very likely or somewhat likely,” and WHEREAS: The Metropolitan Area Planning Council estimates that up to 80,000 families, both renters and owners, will “have trouble covering their housing costs and basic needs this month,”; and WHEREAS: Frontline agencies in Somerville including the Community Action Agency of Somerville, Somerville Community Corporation, and the Somerville Office of Housing Stability, have documented thousands of Somerville families which lost the majority of their income as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, putting them urgent risks of eviction; and WHEREAS: The issue of housing stability is an especially acute public health issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many of the residents most vulnerable to eviction are also essential workers and/or live in multigenerational homes, and have had limited access to State and Federal relief; and WHEREAS: The threat of eviction during the pandemic is particularly acute for victims of domestic violence, according to the Director of the Center of Housing Justice for Survivors at Harvard Law School; and WHEREAS: The premature ending of the Eviction Moratorium has been publicly opposed by grassroots community groups across the commonwealth, as well as elected officials including Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and the Editorial Board of the Boston Globe; and

WHEREAS: State Representatives Mike Connolly and Kevin Honan and State Senator Pat Jehlen have introduced H.4878/S.2831 “An Act to guarantee housing stability during the COVID-19 emergency and recovery,” which would not only extend the eviction moratorium, but would also provide financial relief to tenants, homeowners, and small landlords; and WHEREAS: The Guaranteed Housing Stability Act would provide immediate and essential housing protection to Somerville residents facing catastrophic loss of income through no fault of their own; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council urges the Massachusetts Legislature to pass (H.4878/S.2831) in order to help prevent mass evictions and ensure the fundamental housing needs of Massachusetts residents during a pandemic; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this Resolution be sent to Somerville’s State Delegation, House Speaker DeLeo, and Senate President Karen Spilka.