Eviction suspension ‘will come to an end,’ Mississippi governor says on COVID-19 update
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced Wednesday during his daily media conference that he is lifting a suspension on evictions on June 1.
The suspension had been in place since Reeves’ shelter-in-place order went into effect on April 3 to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
“I wanted to give everyone the time to put together the money they need to make a rent payment if they have fallen behind,” Reeves said. “I will sign an executive order that will go into effect June 1. I wanted those who are renting to know that this suspension will come to an end. We need to recognize that housing doesn’t just grow on trees.”
Lifting of the suspension will allow law enforcement to restart enforcement of eviction orders.
Reeves left open the possibility of reinstating the suspension of evictions if another wave of COVID-19 infections hits the state later in the year.
“As I’ve mentioned every single day, if we’re thrown a curve ball we have to be prepared to make any decision,” Reeves said. “We have to understand that it’s been waived for two months. We wanted to give people the opportunity get through the absolute worst from the job standpoint.
“People have to understand that we have the ability to waive evictions, but we don’t have the ability to waive payments that they owe a landlord or a bank. We’ve got to balance multiple interests and make the best decision to make sure all Mississippians are protected. We’ve given people a significant amount of notice. Should it come to a point where it makes sense to make a different decision, we’ll do that.”
This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 3:22 PM.
