U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.
By Bryan Boggiano
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus McCormick introduced the Federal Disaster Stability Act of 2023 on May 11, preventing evictions and foreclosures for individuals and families facing economic hardship during a national disaster.
If passed, the law would apply to situations where the president declares an area as a federal disaster area.
The legislation was proposed as parts of Broward County recover from historic flooding in April, where some places had up to two feet of rain in under 24 hours. Cherfilus-McCormick’s district includes areas affected significantly, including Fort Lauderdale and neighborhoods such as Melrose Park.
Areas in her district, including Tamarac, also experienced significant flooding during Hurricane Eta in 2020.
“Americans affected by natural disasters should not have to worry about losing their homes and becoming homeless as they work to rebuild their lives,” she said in a press release. “his bill is about providing a safety net for our citizens who need it most, and it’s about protecting families from being forced to start over when they are at their most vulnerable.”
The Federal Disaster Stability Act of 2023 would provide a 120-day moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent or other fees, including late fees, during a national disaster. Landlords, lessors, and renters also cannot increase the cost of rent in the time window.
There would also be a six-month foreclosure moratorium preventing foreclosures on mortgages for six months.
Diane Yentel, National Low Income Housing Coalition CEO and President, said, “Congress should enact the Federal Disaster Housing Stability Act introduced by Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick to help keep renters stably housed after a disaster and to stop landlords from displacing low-income households through rent gouging.”
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