Lucas Metropolitan Housing to Extend Eviction Moratorium
On January 28, 2021, Lucas
Metropolitan Housing (LMH) extended its Eviction Moratorium
through April 30, 2021. The factors that led to that
extension continue to exist. For that reason, LMH President
and Chief Executive Officer, Joaquin Cintron Vega, has
authorized the continuation of the moratorium until
Wednesday July 31, 2021.
LMH understands that housing
insecurity was already at a crisis level nationally and
locally before COVID-19. This determination is consistent
with the strategy of Lucas Metropolitan Housing to extend
the Eviction Moratorium at least one month beyond the CDC
mandate. This allows LMH more time and flexibility to work
with its residents to ensure that they remain in their
homes. The agency has extended the moratorium several times
already and will continue to do so as necessary into 2021.
The temporary moratorium on
evictions for nonpayment of rent and fees and penalties
related to nonpayment of rent, applies to all tenants,
regardless if their employment was affected by COVID-19. LMH
alerts its residents that any rent missed during the
moratorium will accumulate and still be due when the
eviction moratorium is lifted. For any unpaid rent during
the moratorium, the family must repay LMH or sign a
repayment agreement to pay any amount owed after the
moratorium has ended. LMH is working with its residents to
educate them about the process.
LMH understands the critical
importance of providing stable housing, now more than ever,
and is committed to working with its residents to do
everything it can to keep them in their homes.
“Providing safe and stable housing during the ongoing
health emergency is paramount to LMH and the community. The
agency has been closely monitoring the negative economic
impact the pandemic is having on its residents, including
their ability to pay rent,” said Cintron Vega.
During the moratorium, LMH
has also established a number of internal safeguards to
ensure individuals and families remain housed. Lucas
Metropolitan Housing has designed a program providing its
families with education and information on available rental
assistance. Furthermore, we are taking all the steps
necessary to work on a case by-case basis with residents and
we are connecting them to the available resources.
Lucas Metropolitan Housing
is committed to continue serving our residents and
communities with a sense of compassion one day at a time.
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