April 22, 2021

On Monday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau introduced a rule that allows tenants to sue debt collectors who violate the national eviction moratorium. This comes after advocates have shown the moratorium failed to protect many tenants because there were not many consequences for violating it. “No one should be evicted from their home without understanding their rights, and we will hold accountable those debt collectors who move forward with illegal evictions,” said the bureau’s acting director, Dave Uejio.

A last-minute Trump administration proposal to reclassify urban and rural areas could affect localities’ access to government benefits and the application of federal policies in areas including housing. The proposed rule would increase the minimum population threshold for a metropolitan area from 50,000 to 100,000, expanding the definition of rural America. Local government officials worry the new classification will increase competition and disqualify both urban and rural areas from federal programs and funding. Federal agencies are now reviewing public comments made on the Federal Register.

Using empty hotels to house people experiencing homelessness during COVID-19 is here to stay. During the past year, evidence shows hotel shelters have reduced  family separations and increased much-needed services that traditional congregate housing cannot provide, such as access to shelter throughout the day and medical attention. The strategy’s success has prompted cities such as Chicago to acquire and convert hotels into permanent shelters. 

The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) partnered with Charter Communications and its Spectrum Community Solutions organization to provide free high-speed broadband to more than 4,500 residents in affordable housing units later this month. “Our new agreement with Spectrum reflects CMHA’s commitment to providing our residents with the dignity of access to internet service that is affordable and available for all uses, including school, work, telehealth, and social media,” said CMHA president and CEO, Charles Hillman.