Earlier this week the CDC issued a new nationwide temporary extension to the eviction moratorium, with some expectations.
Andrew Field with Illinois Housing Development Authority explains that the latest iteration of the eviction moratorium applies only to counties over a specific threshold in COVID-19 transmission.
"Counties that are not covered today but that later experience substantial increases in transmission will become subject to the order," he said. "And, counties that are currently covered today, if transmission levels decline, may drop off and not be protected under the order."
In Illinois, there are only a handful of counties with transmission levels low enough to not qualify for additional eviction protections. The five counties where the eviction banned is currently lifted include: Henderson, Jasper, Jo Davies, Lee and Putnam County.
Some critics say governments have been sluggish in their efforts to distribute money intended to keep people in their homes during the pandemic. Field says Illinois state has so far funded upwards of $200 million in emergency rental assistance, about 40% of the total $500 million allocated to the state in emergency federal funds.
Field says more opportunities to apply for funds will be available in the fall.
