On Friday, September 4, 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an order placing a nationwide moratorium on most evictions for nonpayment of rent through the end of the year. The order went into effect the same day, and provides much-needed protections for Nebraskan families.
As many as 107,000 Nebraska renters at risk of eviction
Previous measures provided limited protection for renters in Nebraska. And as those protections came to a close at the end of July, evictions resumed at increasing rates. One study predicted that as many as 107,000 Nebraska renters were at risk of eviction by the end of September. That is why an eviction moratorium is an essential tool to prevent such large-scale displacement of Nebraskan families.
The CDC’s order is an important step in protecting renters throughout the U.S. from homelessness, overcrowding, and the further spread of COVID-19. The order applies to renters in the U.S. that meet certain income criteria. Tenants who received a stimulus check pursuant to the CARES Act, who were not required to report income from 2019 to the IRS, or who expect to make no more than $99,000 in annual income for 2020 (or $198,000 for joint tax filers) are protected by the eviction moratorium if they provide a declaration to their landlord.
To come under the protection of the order, tenants must provide a declaration to their landlord that certifies under penalty of perjury that:
- They have used best efforts to obtain available government assistance for housing;
- They are unable to pay full rent due to a substantial loss of income or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses;
- They are using best efforts to make timely partial rent payments if possible; and
- Eviction would likely cause them to become homeless or to move into and live in close quarters with others because of a lack of available housing.
Tenants can provide this declaration to their landlord at any time, and landlords are then prohibited from taking any action to remove them from a residential property. Find a declaration to fill out here.
Rental assistance may available for you
If you or someone you know is having difficulty paying rent, rental assistance may be available to help you.
Residents of Douglas County can apply for rental assistance online at the Douglas County website. One of the following organizations can assist you with the application:
| East African Development Association of Nebraska
4735 NW Radial HWY Omaha, NE 68104 Mahamed Jimle (Speak Somalian / Afsoomaali ku hadal) (402) 708-4106 |
Open Door Mission
NO WALK-INS ACCEPTED. Phone/Email contact only Ronda Nelson (402) 829-1545 |
| Catholic Charities of Omaha, Saint Martin de Porres
2111 Emmet St, Omaha, NE 68110 Ask for Suzi P (402) 829-9253 |
Siena Francis House
1702 Nicholas St, Omaha, NE 68102 Call for language capabilities (402) 341-1821 |
| Latino Center of the Midlands
4821 S. 24th St, Omaha, NE 68107 *Mon, Wed, Fri from 9 am to 4 pm Rosana Perri or Maria Valadez (Si hablamos español) (402) 733-2720 (Call to schedule an appointment) |
Together
812 S 24th St, Omaha, NE 68108 Scott McDowell (402) 345-8047 ext 205 |
Residents of Lancaster County can apply for rental assistance by contacting one of the following organizations:
| Community Action Partnership
210 O St, Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 471-4515 ext 1831 |
CenterPointe, Inc.
1000 S 13th St, Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 475-5161 |
| Matt Talbot Kitchen
2121 N 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68503 (402) 875-5782 |
PCM Help Center
6800 P St, Lincoln, NE 68505 (402) 475-6888 |
| People’s City Mission
110 Q St, Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 475-1303 |
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Rental assistance in Lancaster County is also exclusively available for applicants age 24 and under at either of the following organizations:
| CEDARS Youth Services
6601 Pioneers Blvd #1, Lincoln, NE 68506 (402) 437-8850 |
The HUB
1037 S 12th St, Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 471-8526 |
If you or someone you know is at risk of eviction, contact Legal Aid of Nebraska for assistance. You can apply for assistance from Legal Aid by calling 1(844) 268-5627. When you call, please leave a message with your name, a telephone number where you can be reached, and a statement that your landlord is evicting you.
You can also reach out to Nebraska Appleseed’s Community Assistance Line by filling out our online form or by calling (402) 438-8853 ext 105.