After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a national
moratorium on evictions, state officials and local leaders in Fairfield are
reminding renters about some of the help available to them.
They say more than 45,000 Connecticut households are behind
in their rent.
Operation Hope says filed evictions have gone up 300%
during the pandemic as average rental prices in Connecticut skyrocket.
The state Department of Housing has made $212 million in
federal rental assistance available through the
UniteCT program. So far, it has
paid out $69 million in the state.
UniteCT Director Dawn Parker says thanks to an executive
order from Gov. Ned Lamont in June, the eviction process can't begin without
tenants being referred to UniteCT for aid.
"It allows for those conversations to happen over a
30-day period,” she says. “People can negotiate if they need to and then we can
solve that problem."
State Sen. Tony Hwang says more permanent protections need
to be put in place before that order expires.
"You can count me in as a supporter of us going back
into a special session to address this funding need, because it is going to be
critical,” he says.
Landlords say the program gives them hope to keep their own
lights on, without putting tenants on the street.