Governor Baker Extends the Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium by 60 Days

On July 21, Governor Baker extended the eviction and foreclosure moratorium by 60 days until October 17, 2020. The moratorium, Chapter 65 of the Acts of 2020, signed into law on April 20, 2020, grants the authority to the Governor to extend the moratorium in increments of up to 90 days.

The moratorium will help keep tenants and homeowners impacted by COVID-19 housed during the state of emergency. The moratorium was set to expire by August 18, 2020. The 60 day extension will help prevent a wave of evictions and allow more time for tenants and homeowners to access housing assistance to make rent and mortgage payments. 

In order to preserve housing stability during and after the moratorium, resources that provide housing assistance and help households pay rent and mortgages are crucial. The Baker Administration has allocated resources for housing assistance to help tenants, homeowners, and landlords through the financial hardships arising due to COVID. These resources include:

• $5 million for housing assistance programs like Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) for households upto 50% AMI
• $20 million for Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance for households up to 80% AMI
• Communities have also pledged over $20 million in local funding to support emergency rental assistance

An additional $20 million for a RAFT expansion through a Supplemental Budget awaits Governor Baker's signature. 

CHAPA thanks the Governor for extending the eviction moratorium.