Local Professors Says The CDC’s Moratorium On Evictions Needs To Be Extended

A local professor, whose work focuses on housing and development, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s moratorium on evictions needs to be extended.

The moratorium that protects tenants from eviction amid the pandemic is set to expire on July 31.

“It’s really troubling, around, estimates suggest that around 22% of all Georgia renters are behind on rent,” explained Elora Raymond, an assistant professor of City & Regional Planning at Georgia Tech. “Many of these tenants, have through no fault of their own lost their job, lost income, are several months behind on rent and have no way to pay that money.”

Professor Raymond was a guest on Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look.”

She told show host Rose Scott that Georgia needs more effective rental assistance programs and explained that Georgia has spent less than two percent of its available emergency rental assistance funding to help tenants.

“The money is there it’s just not going out the door,” said Raymond.

To listen to the full conversation, click the audio player above.