White House calls on states, local govts to prevent evictions

White House says that govt has given $46.5b to keep renters in their homes. But it accused states of being ‘too slow to act,’ preventing that aid from reaching tenants whose livelihoods have been upended by the pandemic

The White House moved to pressure state and local governments to swiftly adopt policies to protect renters after an eviction moratorium expired over the weekend, potentially pushing millions of Americans out of their homes.

In a statement on Monday, the White House emphasised that the federal government has provided $46.5 billion to keep renters in their homes. But it accused states and cities of being “too slow to act,” preventing that aid from making its way to tenants whose livelihoods have been upended by the pandemic.

The focus on states comes as President Joe Biden faces stinging criticism, including from some in his own party, that he was was slow to address the end of the moratorium.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the prospect of widespread evictions “unfathomable.” The Congressional Black Caucus intensified pressure on the White House to issue an immediate extension.

And one Democrat, Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri, who has been camped out in protest, had a brief conversation at the US Capitol with Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday.