President Trump Issues Executive Orders Addressing Assistance to Renters and Homeowners

On August 8, President Trump signed an executive order stating that it is the, “policy of the United States to minimize, to the greatest extent possible, residential evictions and foreclosures…the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of CDC shall consider whether any measures temporarily halting residential evictions of any tenants for failure to pay rent are reasonably necessary to prevent the further spread of COVID-19…[t]he Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall identify any and all available Federal funds to provide temporary financial assistance to renters and homeowners…[t]he Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall take action, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to promote the ability of renters and homeowners to avoid eviction or foreclosure resulting from financial hardships caused by COVID-19.”

The orders require the various federal offices to consider and review possible actions that can be taken to avoid evictions and foreclosures.

MHI is working with a coalition of leading national housing industry associations to ensure residents and landlords are supported as they deal with economic hardships posed by the protracted pandemic.