Congress will be back in session in one week, so here’s what can be done immediately: Send a message to your senators and representative now and urge them to include at least $100 billion in funding toward emergency rental assistance in the next COVID-19 relief bill – and extend and expand the already-expired federal eviction moratorium.

Kansas City resident Tiana Caldwell knows exactly how critical this situation is. She and her husband Derrick lost their jobs as COVID-19 hit.

It was only because of a local moratorium that they were able to keep a roof above their heads. Since that expired, both they and her son could now be unhoused in a pandemic. A risk made far greater by the fact Tiana is a cancer survivor and immunocompromised.

Linda, this is one story out of far too many. Nationally, it is estimated that 30 to 40 million people could be at risk of eviction in the next several months, according to the Aspen Institute.

Communities of color and low-income women are amongst the most vulnerable due to a number of reasons, including staggering pay disparities, wealth gaps, and racial discrimination. And because of these historical inequalities and racism, Black women have evictions filed against them at double the rate of white renters or higher in 17 out of 36 states.

But Congress has the power to prevent this coming wave of mass evictions – and help minimize the racial and economic inequities that are being exacerbated by this pandemic.

Let’s make sure Congress gives us the rental relief we need. Send a message to your senators and representative now.

Thank you for taking action,

Causten Rodriguez-Wollerman
Deputy Director of Equality Division Campaign, ACLU