Published by The Washington Examiner | March 11, 2021
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced a bill that seeks to cancel rent and mortgages nationwide through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act would allow for full payment forgiveness, with no accumulation of debt for renters or homeowners and no negative impact on their credit rating or rental history.
“Right now, we are facing an unprecedented crisis that has led to millions of Americans at risk of housing instabilities and homelessness.”
–Rep. Ilhan Omar
The legislation, which would cancel rent until April 2022, would establish a relief fund for landlords and mortgage holders to cover losses from canceled payments and create an optional buyout fund to finance the purchase of private rental properties by nonprofit groups, state and local governments, and other organizations.
Several other Democrats sponsored the bill, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, and Jerrold Nadler.
A federal judge in Texas ruled Feb. 25 that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s temporary eviction moratorium is unconstitutional.
The Justice Department plans to appeal that ruling, citing that the protection for renters helps slow the spread of COVID-19.
