Housing Advocates Call For Eviction Moratorium Amidst Coronavirus Fears

Housing advocates are pushing for a stop to evictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, Forsyth County is moving ahead with the cases that have already been through the courts. 

Members of the advocacy group Housing Justice Now are calling for an immediate moratorium on evictions. Organizer Dan Rose says it's time to raise awareness about the plight of the city's most vulnerable citizens.

"In the case of a public health pandemic it becomes clear that we're all afraid of the consequences to our community, our society when we see folks who are unhoused because they're at risk of spreading this disease," says Rose. "But it also should make clear to folks that housing is a human right no matter what the global health situation is."

Over the weekend, North Carolina Chief Justice Cheri Beasley issued a coronavirus update postponing new magistrate hearings including summary ejectments for 30 days. But there are 76 eviction cases pending in Forsyth County, and law enforcement is duty-bound to follow up on those that have already been through the courts.

Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough is currently petitioning Governor Roy Cooper to intervene.