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Contact: Jon Tapper, jontapper1@gmail.com
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July 17, 2020

Asian Community Development Corporation Extends Eviction Moratorium For Hundreds of Families Until December 31

The Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) is extending the moratorium on evictions for the several hundred apartments it owns and operates in Greater Boston until December 31, 2020, Executive Director Angie Liou announced today.

Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law in April a moratorium on evictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent surge in the unemployment rate. That moratorium ends on August 18.

“Our Board of Directors and staff believe it’s crucial to continue providing this protection to our residents for the rest of the year,” Liou said. “We urge the Governor and Legislature to follow suit and extend the moratorium for all Massachusetts renters. The economic conditions are unlikely to change significantly in the next few months, and we want our residents to know that we’re here to work with them through this hardship.”

The eviction moratorium does not release tenants from their rent obligations, but it does ensure that failure to pay rent – a “nonessential eviction” – is not a reason to begin eviction proceedings. Evictions stemming from criminal activity and arising from the need to protect public health are not covered by the moratorium.

ACDC rents to 203 families in Boston’s Chinatown, and nearly 50 families in Quincy.

Liou added that it has been ACDC’s long-standing policy to work with renters struggling to pay rent rather than utilizing eviction as an option.

“It has always been preferable for ACDC to work with struggling tenants to identify rental assistance  and to work out a payment plan,” she said. “Eviction should and has been a last resort. Our goal remains to keep families in their homes, no matter how tough the times are.”

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