Gov. Cooper Signs Executive Order to Strengthen Eviction Prevention

Governor Roy Cooper has issued a new executive order on evictions that is designed to give tenants additional protections.

Executive Order No. 171 should strengthen the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention's current eviction moratorium. Under that national mandate, tenants that meet certain financial and employment criteria, and have a signed sworn affidavit, should not be evicted for reasons of non-payment.

Governor Cooper's order requires that landlords give residents the option to fill out a declaration form before starting eviction actions and to make tenants aware of their rights under the CDC program. It also clarifies that the order applies to those living in federally subsidized properties as well.

According to a report from the National Council of State Housing Agencies, between 300,000 - 410,000 households across the state are currently unable to pay rent. The study also estimates that 240,000 evictions will be filed by January of 2021.

This new order will supplement the recent North Carolina Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions program (HOPE), which pays utilities and rent for people that meet certain criteria. These individuals are still able to qualify for eviction protections, too.