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The Campaign to Restore National Housing Rights delivered a letter to a number of key Congressional members and HUD Secretary Donovan on Feb. 2nd, 2011, which calls for a national moratorium on evictions of residents in public and subsidized housing and homeowners in foreclosure and demands recognition that, in this heightened time of economic and housing instability, we must recognize housing as social need rather than exclusively as a commodity.  The Campaign was joined by 6 other national organizations and networks, 3 international allies, 22 community-based groups, and 18 academics.

The focus of the letter is on “economically-motivated evictions” -- evictions from homes or apartments on the basis of the inability to pay mortgage or rent payments due to unemployment, underemployment or ratio of debt-to-income as a result of irresponsible lending practices – in both the public and private markets. It’s the winter of the worst foreclosure and economic crisis since the Great Depression and families need stable homes. Yet, families are being forced out of homes and into the streets with no place to go. This demands national action because it is an issue of national scope.

Why public and subsidized housing? Residents in this last resort housing can be evicted for nonpayment and “chronic rent delinquency.” The threat of this extra-harsh penalty is especially heightened now with unemployment rates for low-income folks OVER 30 percent – EQUAL to Great Depression rates.

Why homeowners in foreclosure? While banks have received bailouts from the US government, homeowners have yet to receive sufficient protection. This is especially troubling considering that these same banks are largely responsible for the economic crisis and it has recently become clear that they have evicted countless families in violation of basic property law. Congress' efforts so far have fallen short and voluntary moratoriums are not enough.

Who we’re targeting:

(1) Leaders in Congress:
o The Chairs and Ranking Members of the House of Representatives’ Financial Services Committee and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
o Congressional members who recently called for a national foreclosure moratorium while running for re-election in Nov. 2010.

(2) Key White House Advisors: Valery Jarrett and Elizabeth Warren

(3) HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan