PRESS RELEASE: Congressman Carter Statement on the Impending National Housing Crisis
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. issued the statement below following the expiration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eviction moratorium and impending national housing crisis.
“According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 6 million households are behind on their rent and at risk of eviction, said Congressman Carter. Without the eviction moratorium, that risk is now a reality. We are still in the midst of a deadly pandemic with increasing numbers of Delta variant cases occurring throughout the country and millions of Americans unvaccinated and vulnerable. Extending the eviction moratorium is necessary to ensure the public health and safety of millions of families. It is not a permanent solution, but it will allow states and local communities time to distribute Congress allocated funds to the renters, landlords, and homeowners in need. I have written a letter to Governor Edwards imploring him to implement a statewide moratorium in Louisiana, stressing the seriousness of this crisis and imploring him to allocate their available funds.”
“Housing is a basic necessity and a right that every human being should be afforded. I stand with Congresswoman Cori Bush, and the other members of Congress in front of the U.S. Capitol, stated Congressman Carter. Congress has provided $46.5 billion in assistance to renters and homeowners. As of July 30th, the State of Louisiana’s U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program has disbursed approximately $18 million in rental and utilities assistance. This has had an indelible impact on over 3,500 tenants, however, that is but a fraction of the Louisianians who need help.”
“While I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to extend the eviction moratorium, I ask that Louisiana state and local leaders will do everything they can to protect our communities and provide much-needed assistance to our most at-risk constituents. I stayed in Washington, D.C. on Friday hopeful that Congress would extend the moratorium, and ultimately left disappointed that we failed to do so. I stand ready to return to Washington, D.C. at any moment to consider legislation to extend the moratorium such as Maxine Water’s bill, the Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021, of which I am a cosponsor, or any further legislation to support the people of Louisiana’s Second Congressional District, said Congressman Carter.”
To read my letter to Louisiana Governor Edwards, please click here.
If you are a renter, landlord, or homeowner in need of assistance, please click here for resources and additional information.
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