What Oklahomans Need To Know About The Extended Eviction Moratorium

Oklahomans behind on rent now have one more month to try and find relief after the Biden Administration extended the eviction moratorium through March 2021. 

"This is something that has never happened before. We've never had this sort of a pandemic where people are behind, where there is this level of government assistance coming in," said Axay Parekh, the president of the Oklahoma Association of Realtors. 

While renters will not be evicted for missing a payment, the moratorium does not get rid of back rent or built up mortgage payments. 

"That's what this CARES Act money hopefully will address is to help them catch up on their rent and help homeowners. Most of the time, the people that own these rental properties are retirees. It's not those large conglomerates that everybody thinks," he said. 

According to Parekh, the current CARES Act bill also includes up to $210 million of rental relief. Other organizations in Oklahoma, like the Community Action Agency, are also doing what they can to help. 

"We have been providing and are still providing assistance for those who have lost income due to COVID-19. We can help with rent and mortgage," said Jessie Thompson, the executive director of the organization.

The governor has also worked with other charities and organizations to help distribute the rental relief money.