ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Some Maryland families hit hard by the novel coronavirus are breathing a sigh of relief since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a new moratorium on evictions until year's end.

But the new order has important terms renters need to be aware of. Attorney Matt Hill at the Public Justice Center in Baltimore said to qualify, renters need to make less than $99,000 a year, and meet several other requirements.

They must prove they've lost income due to the pandemic, that they've applied for government assistance to pay rent, and that they could become homeless if kicked out.

He noted that savvy landlords could dispute small details.

"It's going to help millions of tenants, and it's incredibly important," said Hill. "But it does require tenants to be vigilant, and to take action. Because if the landlord is trying to use some sort of loophole or make some sort of argument, they are going to need to respond."

Almost 300,000 households unable to pay rent are at risk of eviction in Maryland, according to one estimate.

For assistance in qualifying, contact the Fair Housing Action Center of Maryland.

While Hill said he thinks the moratorium is a critical first step to protect families, he's also urging lawmakers to take more permanent steps to relieve economic hardships created by the pandemic.

As Hill put it, "If this order is not paired with rent relief -- rental assistance, canceling the rent, something that addresses the long term structural problem of the lack of income related to COVID-19 -- then we are going to be just kicking the can down the road."

People who violate the terms of the eviction moratorium face harsh penalties, including up to a $100,000 fine and a year in jail. And if a tenant lies about any of the five requirements, they could be charged with perjury, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.


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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Tents and sleeping bags not only make living on the streets more bearable this time of year, they can often mean the difference between life and death.

Homeless shelters in New Mexico are in need of both as the COVID-induced eviction moratorium nears an end and colder temperatures arrive.

Georgia Evans, development associate for the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, said the number of unhoused has been harder to track due to the pandemic, especially because some shelters closed or had limited capacity.

"A lot of homelessness, especially in New Mexico, is not seen," Evans explained. "It's people sleeping in their cars or sleeping in different areas every night and not necessarily pitching a tent in a busy, more central area."

Evans pointed out in Santa Fe, the shelter is seeking funds to purchase clothing and equipment for those experiencing homelessness, while other shelters are accepting warm clothing including coats, hats and gloves.

New Mexico, along with New Jersey and New York, are the only states with a pandemic-related statewide eviction moratorium still in effect, but Evans noted it is scheduled to end in early January.

"And so we're anticipating that there might be a giant flood of people that do not have housing or will not have housing in the new year," Evans projected.

To honor those who lost their lives while homeless, annual memorials are held across the U.S. on or near Dec. 21. In New Mexico, some cities are planning virtual memorials, while others will be in-person with social distancing. Evans added it is fitting to hold the memorial on the longest and one of the coldest days of the year.

"To recognize that these people are in our communities, and are important and in relation to the national memorial for homelessness," Evans emphasized.

The National Homeless Persons Memorial Day has been held on the winter solstice for 30 years.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The holidays can be a tough time for young people experiencing homelessness, and Michigan organizations are working to provide safe and warm places for them as winter sets in.

One in 10 young adults ages 18 to 25, experiences homelessness in the course of a year. Homelessness is 83% more likely for a young person who is Black, and 120% more likely for one who identifies as LGBTQ.

Hunter Willard, director of homeless youth programs for the group OutFront Kalamazoo, said the group is looking for volunteers to host young LGBTQ people in their homes.

"A lot of shelters are not affirming to LGBT folks, especially trans people," Willard explained. "They're, in fact, dangerous for trans people a lot of the times."

Studies have shown LGBTQ youth who are homeless are more likely to experience violence, stigma and sexual abuse, and to turn to substance use as a coping strategy. Sixty-two percent of LGBTQ youth surveyed by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago said they had been physically harmed by others.

Cities and property owners across Michigan have been removing homeless encampments, and Willard pointed out it is important to increase access to housing people can afford, so they have somewhere to go.

"Baseline, on the state and federal level, there needs to be significantly more affordable housing at the ready," Willard asserted. "More subsidized housing that homeless individuals can take advantage of, and more shelters, and more shelters that are affirming."

An estimated 7% of young people in the U.S. are LGBTQ, but they make up 40% of youths experiencing homelessness. Their advocates say the affordable housing measures in the Build Back Better Act would make progress toward reducing the number of young people without stable homes.

CONCORD, N.H. -- As National Youth Homelessness Awareness Month comes to a close, groups will continue working to identify barriers for young people staying housed and trying to fill the gaps.

New Hampshire has an adult homelessness services system and child protective services, but advocates have raised concerns about the growing homeless youth population.

Erin Kelly, director of youth and young adult homeless services for the nonprofit Waypoint NH, said many young people have needs unmet by either system of care. She noted young adults respond differently to homelessness than many older adults.

"Part of providing services to young people is being able to recognize that the choices that they make and the mistakes that they make are the things that are helping them to develop into adults that can really have good conflict resolution and problem-solving skills," Kelly explained.

According to the "Point in Time" survey from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, on a given night in New Hampshire more than 1,600 individuals experience homelessness; 65 of them are "unaccompanied adults" age 18 to 24, and more than 400 are people experiencing chronic homelessness.

Kelly added every young person at risk of experiencing homelessness has different needs and skills, so the supports they provide vary. She pointed out for some people, it is about helping them to gain employment readiness skills, so they can get a job and live independently, while others may apply for college.

"For some young people, it might be about applying for and helping them to apply for Social Security so that they have the ongoing supports that they need," Kelly emphasized. "Because they are unable at the moment to be able to work and support themselves."

Kelly added it is important for the state to acknowledge the gaps between child and adult services, and make sure support is available to young people, so they don't have to experience chronic homelessness into their adult lives.

Nationally, one in four young people who age out of the foster system experience homelessness within four years.