More Than Two Hundred Thousand Eviction Cases Were Filed During the Pandemic

Many Americans have struggled to pay the rent during the financial crisis caused by COVID-19. State and local governments have tried to ease this burden by enacting a slew of eviction moratoriums to prevent families from being on the street when the virus was so prevalent. Unfortunately, this hodgepodge of confusing rules was not easy to understand. Some judges simply refused to enforce the bans at all, deeming them an unconstitutional infringement on landlords’ property rights. Too many families learned the hard way that eviction bans were not enough to stop them from being kicked out of their homes.

The Florida Phoenix reports that over two hundred thousand eviction cases were filed across the United States in 2020. This does not mean that two hundred thousand families were evicted. Some states, for example, allowed landlords to file a case and get the eviction order, but left them unable to enforce it until the eviction moratorium had lifted. Other states allowed landlords to file cases but delayed issuing a final eviction order until the ban had lapsed. But some of these two hundred thousand families were, in fact, kicked out of their homes. 

So what can Florida tenants do to keep their families at home and away from the spread of coronavirus? The state has just been infused with funding from the second stimulus package. Hundreds of millions of dollars will be made available to families who qualify under the extended CDC eviction ban, so be sure to contact local programs early to ensure you are on their lists.

The experienced Florida eviction attorneys at Quattrochi, Torres, and Taormina are proud to help Florida tenants stay in their homes whenever possible. Call 407.452.4918 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation.