21.315 A Resolution Relative to COVID-19 Housing Security - Certified City of Northampton
MASSACHUSETTS
In the City Council, August 19, 2021
Upon the Recommendation of: Councilor Alex Jarrett
Councilor John Thorpe
Councilor Michael Quinlan
R-21.315 A RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO COVID-19 HOUSING EQUITY
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has left tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents in
a health, economic, and housing crisis; and
WHEREAS, The temporary federal eviction moratorium is set to expire on October 3, is
vulnerable to legal challenge and as written still leaves thousands of tenants at
risk of eviction; and
WHEREAS, Current state protections (Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2020) provide some
safeguards against evictions but they do not go far enough to keep tenants
housed; and
WHEREAS, No federal or state law currently exists to provide any protection against
foreclosure; and
WHEREAS Over 2,700 new eviction cases have been filed in Western Massachusetts since
the lifting of the state eviction moratorium in October, 2020 (over 20,000
statewide) and 585 homes in Western Massachusetts face the threat of
foreclosure; and
WHEREAS, 45% of Northampton households are rented; and
WHEREAS, The economic crisis in general and the eviction crisis in particular created by the
COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a disproportionate effect on communities
of color and low income individuals across Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, The federal government has allocated over $800 million in rental assistance to
the Commonwealth with only a fraction of those funds having yet reached
eligible tenants; and
WHEREAS, Western Massachusetts' largest administrator of rental assistance, Way Finders,
reports receiving 400-500 applications for rental assistance per week, as many as
100 per day, with an application processing time of 4-5 weeks; and
WHEREAS, Taking this public health emergency out of the courts will spare tenants the
trauma of an eviction proceeding while ensuring payment to the landlord for
back rent due; and
WHEREAS, Preventing displacement is in the interest of public health, racial justice, equity,
and fairness; and
WHEREAS, Strong legislative action is required to prevent unnecessary evictions,
foreclosures, displacement, and to ensure a more timely and equitable
distribution of rental assistance funds; and
WHEREAS, An Act to Prevent COVID-19 Evictions and Foreclosures and Promote an
Equitable Housing Recovery (H.1434/S.891) would protect public health, support
tenants, homeowners, and small-scale landlords alike; and
WHEREAS, This Act has garnered support from Northampton Mayor Narkewicz, and four
other mayors and town managers in the region; 94 Representatives and Senators
(20 from Western Massachusetts) including Senator Jo Comerford and
Representative Lindsay Sabadosa; and over 50 Western Massachusetts groups
and 150 statewide from every sector of our communities;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Northampton asks the State
Legislature to move with all deliberate speed and urgency to pass S.891 and H.1434, An Act to
Prevent COVID-19 Evictions and Foreclosures and Promote an Equitable Housing Recovery.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administrative Assistant to the City Council shall send a copy
of this Resolution to Governor Charles Baker; the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Housing,
Senator John Keenan and Representative James Arciero; the presenters of the bills,
Representatives Frank A. Moran and Kevin G. Honan and Senator Patricia D. Jehlen; and
Representative Lindsay Sabadosa and Senator Jo Comerford.