Fighting the Spread of COVID-19 by Providing Assistance to Renters and Homeowners, 49935-49937 [2020-18015]

Agencies

• Executive Office of the President

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 158 (Friday, August 14, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 49935-49937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18015]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 158 / Friday, August 14, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 49935]]


                Executive Order 13945 of August 8, 2020

                
Fighting the Spread of COVID-19 by Providing 
                Assistance to Renters and Homeowners

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

                Section 1. Purpose. The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-
                19) pandemic, which originated in the People's Republic 
                of China, continues to pose a significant threat to the 
                health of Americans throughout the United States. As we 
                have since January 2020, with the proactive decision to 
                limit travel from China and the passage of three 
                massive economic relief packages, my Administration 
                will take whatever steps are necessary to reduce the 
                spread of COVID-19 and maintain economic prosperity.

                The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of 
                the Department of Health and Human Services have 
                concluded that ``growing and disproportionate 
                unemployment rates for some racial and ethnic minority 
                groups during the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to greater 
                risk of eviction and homelessness or sharing of 
                housing.''

                This trend is concerning for many reasons, including 
                that homeless shelters have proven to be particularly 
                susceptible to outbreaks of COVID-19. CDC has observed 
                that ``[h]omelessness poses multiple challenges that 
                can exacerbate and amplify the spread of COVID-19. 
                Homeless shelters are often crowded, making social 
                distancing difficult. Many persons experiencing 
                homelessness are older or have underlying medical 
                conditions, placing them at higher risk for severe 
                COVID-19-associated illness.'' Increased shared housing 
                is also potentially problematic to the extent it 
                results in increased in-person interactions between 
                older, higher-risk individuals and their younger 
                relatives or friends.

                My Administration has taken bold steps to help renters 
                and homeowners have safe and secure places to call home 
                during the COVID-19 crisis. Prior to passage of the 
                Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act 
                (CARES Act) (Public Law 116-136), the Secretary of 
                Housing and Urban Development implemented a foreclosure 
                and eviction moratorium for all single-family mortgages 
                insured by the Federal Housing Administration. 
                Furthermore, prior to passage of the CARES Act, the 
                Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that it 
                had instructed the Federal National Mortgage 
                Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
                Corporation (the Enterprises) to suspend foreclosures 
                for at least 60 days. FHFA has since announced that the 
                Enterprises will extend the foreclosure suspension 
                until at least August 31, 2020.

                The CARES Act imposed a temporary moratorium on 
                evictions of certain renters subject to certain 
                conditions. That moratorium has now expired, and there 
                is a significant risk that this will set off an 
                abnormally large wave of evictions. With the failure of 
                the Congress to act, my Administration must do all that 
                it can to help vulnerable populations stay in their 
                homes in the midst of this pandemic. Those who are 
                dislocated from their homes may be unable to shelter in 
                place and may have more difficulty maintaining a 
                routine of social distancing. They will have to find 
                alternative living arrangements, which may include a 
                homeless shelter or a crowded family home and may also 
                require traveling to other States.

[[Page 49936]]

                In addition, evictions tend to disproportionately 
                affect minorities, particularly African Americans and 
                Latinos. Unlike the Congress, I cannot sit idly and 
                refuse to assist vulnerable Americans in need. Under my 
                Administration, minorities achieved the lowest 
                unemployment rates on record, and we will not let 
                COVID-19 erase these gains by causing short-term 
                dislocations that could well have long-term 
                consequences.

                Accordingly, my Administration, to the extent 
                reasonably necessary to prevent the further spread of 
                COVID-19, will take all lawful measures to prevent 
                residential evictions and foreclosures resulting from 
                financial hardships caused by COVID-19.

                Sec. 2. Policy. It is the policy of the United States 
                to minimize, to the greatest extent possible, 
                residential evictions and foreclosures during the 
                ongoing COVID-19 national emergency.

                Sec. 3. Response to Public Health Risks of Evictions 
                and Foreclosures. (a) The Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services and the Director of CDC shall consider whether 
                any measures temporarily halting residential evictions 
                of any tenants for failure to pay rent are reasonably 
                necessary to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 
                from one State or possession into any other State or 
                possession.

                    (b) The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary 
                of Housing and Urban Development shall identify any and 
                all available Federal funds to provide temporary 
                financial assistance to renters and homeowners who, as 
                a result of the financial hardships caused by COVID-19, 
                are struggling to meet their monthly rental or mortgage 
                obligations.
                    (c) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
                shall take action, as appropriate and consistent with 
                applicable law, to promote the ability of renters and 
                homeowners to avoid eviction or foreclosure resulting 
                from financial hardships caused by COVID-19. Such 
                action may include encouraging and providing assistance 
                to public housing authorities, affordable housing 
                owners, landlords, and recipients of Federal grant 
                funds in minimizing evictions and foreclosures.
                    (d) In consultation with the Secretary of the 
                Treasury, the Director of FHFA shall review all 
                existing authorities and resources that may be used to 
                prevent evictions and foreclosures for renters and 
                homeowners resulting from hardships caused by COVID-19.

                Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order 
                shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or 
the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

                    (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with 
                applicable law and subject to the availability of 
                appropriations.

[[Page 49937]]

                    (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, 
                create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, 
                enforceable at law or in equity by any party against 
                the United States, its departments, agencies, or 
                entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any 
                other person.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    August 8, 2020.

[FR Doc. 2020-18015
Filed 8-13-20; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F0-P