What the CDC's new evictions moratorium means for cities

For local leaders worried about a huge wave of homelessness in their communities, last week’s announcement of a new federal moratorium on residential evictions was welcome news. The unprecedented action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention goes far beyond a previous federal moratorium and it applies to as many as 40 million renters living in any rental property—not just federally subsidized units. But for as much promise as the new order presents, there are a number of issues it doesn’t address—and just as many reasons city leaders need to stay engaged in this top COVID concern.  

CITY ACTIONS

A roundup of responses to the coronavirus crisis. See the
COVID-19: Local Action Tracker for more.

• In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed called a gathering of more than 1,000 people for a Burning Man celebration on Ocean Beach both “reckless and selfish.” In New Orleans, Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the throngs of people in the French Quarter “unacceptable.” 
• Saint Petersburg, Fla., Mayor Rick Kriseman called out Governor Ron DeSantis, retweeting a photo of the governor holding an indoor roundtable meeting without masks. “Here’s an example of what not to do” the mayor tweeted. 
• Meanwhile, in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., which attracted attention for overcrowded Fourth of July celebrations, Mayor Gerry Murawski announced the area has attracted 10 million visitors so far this year—nearly twice as many as in a typical year. 

• In Baltimore, that includes increasing capacity for retail stores, restaurants, and casinos beginning today. 
• And in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Mayor Walt Maddox reopens bars at 50 percent capacity two weeks after shutting them down in response to a COVID outbreak at the University of Alabama.

• In Tulare, Calif., Mayor Jose Sigala is handing out $100 gift cards to unsuspecting mask wearers. 
• To make sure every student is prepared for distance learning, Little Rock, Ark., is handing out approximately 4,000 internet hotspots to families in need.
• The mayor of Jackson, Miss. is calling attention to the recent spike in homicides in his city—several of them among families—saying “the impact of coronavirus on jobs and mental health has heightened the problem.”

• In a twist, the mayor of Sutri, Italy, threatens to fine people for wearing masks in places he deems “inappropriate.” 
• Melbourne, Australia, Lord Mayor Sally Capp calls the state of Victoria's reopening plan “full of inconsistency,” in part because it keeps Melbourne in lockdown at least two weeks longer than the rest of the state.  

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES

• COVID-19 Crisis Leadership Essentials for Mayors (Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative and Johns Hopkins University)
• Answers to Mayors' Top Questions (Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative and Johns Hopkins University)
• COVID-19 Management Metrics for Cities (Johns Hopkins University) Access webinars on using data and this metric set to tackle COVID in your community. 
• See how social distancing measures may have influenced trends in COVID-19 cases and deaths in every state. (Johns Hopkins University)
• Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery (NACTO)
• COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Programs in Ten Localities (Local Housing Solutions)  
• Free course on contact tracing (Johns Hopkins University)
• Partnership for Healthy Cities COVID-19 Response Center (Bloomberg Philanthropies)
• Transportation Response Center (NACTO)

• UPDATED Considerations for restaurants and bars
• Staffing resources
• Worker safety and support 
• Toolkit for people experiencing homelessness
• Cleaning, disinfection, and hand hygiene in schools
• Contact tracing resources