Coronavirus: Kemp Asked To Ban Evictions, Foreclosures

ATLANTA, GA — A letter signed by more than 135 elected officials, service groups and religious organizations urging Gov. Brian Kemp to temporarily ban evictions and foreclosures during the coronavirus pandemic was delivered Thursday.

The letter predicts a “housing and eviction crisis,” where those who’ve lost income because of the pandemic won’t be able to pay rents or mortgages and may be thrown out onto the street. Worse yet, because the displaced can’t easily practice social distancing, their movement may further spread the coronavirus.

“We urge you to take decisive action to head off this looming housing crisis,” the letter said. It was sent by the Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, which organized the effort.

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Accompanying the letter was a proposed executive order that would protect tenants from evictions, temporarily halt late fees on late rent, and stop foreclosures while the coronavirus pandemic continues. A USA Today survey shows that as of Tuesday at least 34 other states were offering some sort of protection from eviction and foreclosure during the pandemic.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that as of late Thursday the governor’s office had not commented on the letter.

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