WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on the looming eviction tsunami in Massachusetts. The Congresswoman’s statement comes with the Commonwealth’s eviction moratorium set to expire on Saturday, October 17, 2020.

“Our nation continues to be in the midst of a crisis—and Massachusetts is no exception. COVID-19 has laid bare the deep inequities and disparities that persist in our Commonwealth and across the nation. With thousands of families in danger of eviction, I call on the Governor to take immediate action and extend the eviction moratorium. Ending the moratorium now would put our most vulnerable families in harm’s way. We have a moral and collective responsibility to do everything in our power to provide relief and support.

“With a stroke of a pen, Governor Baker could prevent the looming eviction tsunami in the Commonwealth this Saturday—or he could fail to act and stand by as thousands of families impacted by the public health crisis and economic fallout lose their homes. It is my sincere hope that the Governor acts swiftly to prevent evictions and foreclosures across the Commonwealth while we work towards an equitable and just recovery.”

From the onset of the pandemic, Congresswoman Pressley has fought tirelessly to provide robust housing protections for families in Massachusetts and across the nation.

• On March 18, Reps. Pressley, Katie Porter (D-CA) and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to HUD calling or a moratorium on evicting renters during the coronavirus pandemic.
• On March 19, Rep. Pressley, along with progressive lawmakers and organizations, introduced the Housing is a Human Right Act to authorize more than $200 billion in federal spending over 10 years for crucial housing infrastructure and reduce homelessness.
• On March 23, Reps. Pressley and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020, legislation to provide critical funding to states and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation was included and passed through the HEROES Act and H.R. 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.
• On April 10, Rep. Pressley urged Congressional leadership to prioritize recurring monthly cash payments to those most at-risk during the COVID-19 crisis. This funding would allow people to cover all their bills, including rent.
• On April 17, Reps. Pressley, Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and colleagues introduce the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
• On May 11, Reps. Tlaib, and Joe Neguse (D-CO) urge House and Senate leadership to include $11.5 billion in funding for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) in the next relief package to aid the nation’s homeless population who are experiencing heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On July 24, in a Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed the unprecedented financial cliff facing millions of renters and homeowners, the economic consequences of millions losing their homes, including the ability to return to work, and why funding for legal representation is so critical.
• On July 28, Rep. Pressley, Rep. DeLauro and Sen. Harris introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act to provide much-needed, layered assistance to those facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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