[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