The end of the federal eviction moratorium means some people who haven’t paid their rent or mortgage in months are now back on the hook.That could be a problem for lots of people in the Kansas City area.The suspension of housing payments affected people who had a problem connected to COVID-19. They lost their job or where they worked went under during the pandemic. But that still covers a lot of people.”We’re still receiving hundreds of phone calls here, so people are still very worried and very concerned,” said Rachel Casey of the Community Assistance Council.Evictions continued during this time, prompting housing protests in the city. The evicted — often people who did not qualify for the COVID-19 moratorium.But another complication with the end of the moratorium, Kansas City, Missouri’s housing portal — a way for some to get help — has closed down with hundreds of cases still on its waiting list.”On Sept. 1, the portal will reopen with the second round of funding that has become available. That will create another opportunity for individuals to get assistance,” said Todd Jordan of the United Way of Greater Kansas City.Not everyone believes there will be a wave of evictions coming.”But I don’t think it’s going to be that tsunami that everybody is saying we’re going to have. I just don’t expect that. And most of our members don’t expect that either,” said Kim Tucker of the Mid-America Real Estate Investors Association.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
The end of the federal eviction moratorium means some people who haven’t paid their rent or mortgage in months are now back on the hook.
That could be a problem for lots of people in the Kansas City area.
The suspension of housing payments affected people who had a problem connected to COVID-19. They lost their job or where they worked went under during the pandemic. But that still covers a lot of people.
“We’re still receiving hundreds of phone calls here, so people are still very worried and very concerned,” said Rachel Casey of the Community Assistance Council.
Evictions continued during this time, prompting housing protests in the city. The evicted — often people who did not qualify for the COVID-19 moratorium.
But another complication with the end of the moratorium, Kansas City, Missouri’s housing portal — a way for some to get help — has closed down with hundreds of cases still on its waiting list.
“On Sept. 1, the portal will reopen with the second round of funding that has become available. That will create another opportunity for individuals to get assistance,” said Todd Jordan of the United Way of Greater Kansas City.
Not everyone believes there will be a wave of evictions coming.
“But I don’t think it’s going to be that tsunami that everybody is saying we’re going to have. I just don’t expect that. And most of our members don’t expect that either,” said Kim Tucker of the Mid-America Real Estate Investors Association.
