Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | September 13, 2021 | Worcester Business Journal 9 occurring at David Branagan's former Worcester property, are on the rise, said Leah Bradley, the executive director of the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance. A no-cause eviction occurs when a landlord decides he or she wants the unit back for any number of reasons, such as renovations or housing a family member. An increase in property sales in the region has played a role in incentivizing no-cause evictions and limiting affordable rents, said Bradley. "ere's a real lack of units for those that are the lowest-wage earners," Bradley said. "As folks are needing to leave their units, the ability to find a new unit is really compromised." Eviction moratorium timeline You provide hands-on service for your business... Construction Loans Business Lines of Credit Real Estate Loans Contact the newest member of our team, Christopher Brunell, to see what Go Beyond Banking truly means for your business. Christopher Brunell SVP, Commercial Relationship Manager cbrunell@clintonsavings.com 978-365-3425 TM Does your bank do the same for you? 888-744-4272 | clintonsavings.com March 27, 2020 - The federal CARES Act places a moratorium on renter evic- tions, saying renters could not be forced to vacate, and landlords could not file notices to vacate, until 30 days after the expiration of the moratorium. July 24, 2020 - The CARES Act moratorium expires. Sept. 4, 2020 - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention puts in place a new eviction moratorium. Dec. 31, 2020 - The CDC moratorium's original expiration date is extended to Jan. 31, then to March 31, then to June 30, and finally to July 31. Aug. 3, 2021 - CDC announces a new limited moratorium for a renters living in communities experiencing a surge in COVID cases, which covers 90% of all renters. Aug. 26, 2021 - The U.S. Supreme Court ends the federal eviction moratorium, although states and communities can still pass laws protecting renters from eviction. Aug. 31, 2021 - With Massachusetts not having a statewide eviction moratorium, Boston puts one in place. Central Massachusetts communities, including Worcester, do not. Sources: U.S. Congress, Na- tional Housing Law Project, U.S. Supreme Court, Boston Public Health Commission She said throughout the county, even people with Section 8 subsidized housing vouchers are unable to find a unit within the range the voucher covers. Renters and low-income earners are disproportionately people of color, so that population is most heavily impacted, Bradley said. In Boston, 78% of eviction filings were in communities of color, according to a 2020 study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The fight for affordable housing As the moratorium ends but COVID-19 and the Delta variant rage one, community organizations are work- Housing insecurity among communities of color Nationally, households of color were more likely to be financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, including being behind on rent or mortgage payments, according to a Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University report through the first quarter of 2021. Source: Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University White 11.3% White 7% Black 28.7% Black 17% Hispanic 21.3% Hispanic 15.6% Asian 21.3% Other 20.5% Asian 15.6% Other 12% All 17% All 9.4% Behind on rent Behind on mortgage Continued on page 10 D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N F O C U S

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