Last week, NAR President Vince Malta and other NAR leaders met with officials from the White House offices of the Domestic Policy Council and the National Economic Council to discuss the CDC eviction moratorium.
President Malta outlined NAR's significant concerns with the order and the burden it places on housing providers. He explained that "kicking the can down the road" and creating mountains of debt for renters would simply lead to a flood of evictions come January. REALTOR® leaders presented anecdotes about the more than 40% of mom and pop owners around the country and how they are struggling to meet their obligations without rental income. They also explained about the confusion surrounding the order and how it is being interpreted very differently by different courts.
During the Q&A, REALTORS® asked what relief would be provided to property owners - who were ineligible to receive unemployment or PPP or EIDL loans to make up for their lost revenue. White House staff said the Administration is committed to an additional stimulus bill and are working with Congress. They are open to including rental assistance. In the absence of Congressional action, the Administration is also working to prioritize funds for more relief, and will consider a rental assistance program as part of that. President Malta thanked the White House for their time and attention, and offered NAR's expertise as they move forward with further relief measures. The White House thanked NAR and REALTORS® for the dialogue.