RESEARCH RELEASE: More Than Shelter: The Effects of Rental Eviction Moratoria on Household Well-Being
Los Angeles (March 2021) — A new research study and dynamic map of eviction moratoria and other rental market COVID-19 policy interventions by Xudong An (Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia), Stuart Gabriel (UCLA Anderson School of Management and UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate) and Nitzan Tzur-Ilan (Northwestern University and Bank of Israel) investigates the impact of 2020 COVID-19 rental eviction moratoria on household wellbeing. Analysis of new data on eviction moratoria indicates those policies reduced evictions and resulted in redirection of scarce household financial resources to immediate consumption needs, notably including food and grocery spending. The authors also find that eviction moratoria reduced household food insecurity and mental stress, with larger effects evidenced among African American households. Findings suggest broad salutary effects of eviction moratoria during a period of widespread virus and economic distress. While research findings demonstrate broad and not well-appreciated renter and local economic benefits of temporary eviction moratoria, substantial ongoing efforts likely will be necessary to address accrued shortfalls in rent and to keep families stably housed. In the absence of new measures to address widespread and accrued shortfalls in rent, large numbers of households could face housing instability, economic hardship, and adverse health outcomes.
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