COVID and the Looming Eviction Crisis

As seen on CBS “Sunday Morning” December 6, 2020

WATCH: COVID and the looming eviction crisis
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/covid-and-the-looming-eviction-crisis/

Coronavirus has already had a devastating economic impact: One in four American households has experienced job loss or diminished income during the pandemic. Potentially, millions of Americans are at risk of losing their homes starting January 1, when a government moratorium on evictions ends. “Sunday Morning” senior contributor Ted Koppel talks with tenants and a landlord, and with Pulitzer Prize-winner Matthew Desmond (“Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City”), about the looming crisis.

Money and Time Running Out

Money and time are running out on Maryland’s Eviction Protection Program.

Governor Hogan attempts to answer question on Eviction Protection

During the September 1, 2020, press conference Governor Hogan said that Cares Act funding can not provide funding relief for tenants or landlords. With billions of dollars in shortfalls, there is no answer for where to get the money.

Evictions Coming

From the PBS News Hour, May 14, 2020:

40% OF PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLDS
MAKING LESS THAN $40,000 A YEAR
LOST THEIR JOBS IN MARCH.


This year will probably be like no other in recent memory for housing and homelessness. Governor Hogan’s Executive Order 20-04-03-01: Evictions — will lift after the state of emergency and catastrophic health emergency is rescinded. There is no question that the demand for help with housing will be tremendous.


light and word of Homeless for background

Dozens of new and continuing contributors are doing what they can to build our needed reserves. Will you join them? If so, see our “Helping Families” page for information about how to give a tax deductible gift. 100% of all donations go to families in need.

Families Helped

For nearly fifteen years OMR in conjunction with the Howard Community Action Council, has helped  267 working families. Without assistance, many of them faced eviction. Thanks to your help, OMR has collected and distributed an average of nearly $20,500/year to families in need.  Since operating expenses are absorbed by OMR board members, all donated money goes to help families.

Graph of Families
The number of families and the amount needed per family have increased.
Distributions
Our yearly total distribution has increased greatly

Here are some recent situations where OMR has helped:

  • A fire destroyed the apartment of a single parent of a 6-year-old. We were able to help with the first month’s rent after she managed the security deposit.
  • A woman who supports a child and a grandchild was hospitalized due to illness, losing pay as a result. We were able to cover the rent payment.
  • A single parent of four began working for the school system in April but was not paid during the summer. We assisted her with a rent payment.
  • A single mother of two went to live with her mother after her husband put her possessions out of the house, changed the locks, and threatened harm if she returned. OMR contributed a security deposit to help her relocate.