The eviction ban should remain in effect long after the pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed a basic fact of American life: When people unexpectedly lose work or face unforeseen expenses, they can't pay their rent. What's worse, they often get evicted as a result. As lawyers who represent low-income tenants, we are used to explaining to our clients the legal insignificance of their economic circumstances, however compelling. Your boss cut your hours? Not relevant. Your car needed a $600 repair? No defense. Your child support check didn't arrive? Not the landlord's problem. We tell our clients, "The law doesn't care about that." We usually follow up with, "It doesn't seem fair, does it?"