Jason Wu, a Housing Attorney at The Legal Aid Society, makes the case for an immediate eviction moratorium in response to the Coronavirus pandemic in today’s Gotham Gazette.

“Do you know who is most vulnerable to COVID-19? Health professionals have identified people who are elderly and sick as particularly at risk, but we must not forget those who are poor or homeless,” writes Wu. “New York City has the largest homeless population in the country, and our homeless shelters are ill-equipped to deal with a highly contagious disease. Now is the time for New York to act by protecting the most vulnerable New Yorkers.”

“An eviction moratorium in New York is the bold and sensible action we need,” he continues. “Taking this important step not only gives reprieve to thousands of tenants from becoming homeless, which is necessary in itself, it would also slow the growth of this pandemic. As studies have shown again and again, good housing policy is truly also good healthcare policy.”

Read Jason’s full piece here.