KILLEEN, TX — Many are still struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.
“People are struggling to pay bills week to week. People are struggling to put food on the table,” said Killeen Resident Travis Johnson.
Millions across our nation were at risk of being evicted after the CARES Act Eviction Moratorium expired this year but Congress extended the protection until the end of January.
The Texas Supreme Court has also extended its emergency eviction relief program for tenants behind on rent through at least March 15, but that doesn’t mean everyone is safe.
“We definitely don’t have enough rental housing assistance. Qualifications keep most of our residents inapplicable to receive any funding that is being offered,” said Killeen Resident Rosalyn Finley.
Finley says the moratorium doesn’t prevent all evictions and several people have been evicted throughout the pandemic.
“How do we ensure that that stops. To give people a time, Whatever the government has now set so that we can make a plan to make sure that once this is all over and a lift this time that people actually have a place to go,” said Finley.
“Employers are using furloughs to keep from paying unemployment benefits. Citizens that are suffering under those for allows don’t have an opportunity to collect benefits so with these evictions that have come up Anna bad situation,” said Johnson.
Locals say it’s important to inform residents who’ve been impacted by the pandemic but do not qualify for protection how they can appeal evictions, find resources to pay late fees and rent and other ways make sure their families don’t get forced out of their homes.
