2021 -- H 5095

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LC000146

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT GOVERNOR RAIMONDO ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE

ORDER IMPOSING A MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS DUE TO THE NOVEL

CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19), WHILE AT THE SAME TIME EXPLORING

WAYS TO PROTECT LANDLORDS

     Introduced By: Representatives Williams, Biah, Henries, Ranglin-Vassell, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: January 22, 2021

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a severe and debilitating respiratory disease that can spread

among people through respiratory transmission and presents symptoms similar to those of

influenza. It can result in serious illnesses and death; and

     WHEREAS, On March 9, 2020, Governor Gina M. Raimondo declared a state of

emergency in Rhode Island due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, On March 18, 2020, President Donald J. Trump announced that the

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had authorized the Federal Housing

Administration (FHA) to implement an immediate foreclosure and eviction moratorium for FHA-

insured single-family mortgages, a moratorium that has been further extended; and

     WHEREAS, On March 18, 2020, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), directed

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to suspend foreclosures and evictions for Enterprise-backed single

family mortgages for at least 60 days. That moratorium was also further extended; and

     WHEREAS, The current emergency has severely impacted the ability of many people in

Rhode Island to make their mortgage payments or rent payments. Many businesses have closed or

reduced hours, unemployment has increased exponentially and many other people are working

reduced hours; and

     WHEREAS, Removing people from their homes will only exacerbate the public health

threat that the COVID-19 disease poses to all Rhode Island residents, especially the elderly and

those with pre-existing illnesses; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

respectfully requests that Governor Raimondo issue an Executive Order imposing a moratorium

on evictions due to the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) through the full duration of the

crisis, while at the same time exploring ways to protect landlords; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Governor Gina M. Raimondo.

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LC000146

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