Advocates for renters in Arkansas have launched a service to assist those who are faced with eviction.
During a news conference Thursday, the Democratic Party of Arkansas, alongside Young Democrats of Arkansas and Arkansas Renters United, announced a new hotline aimed at addressing evictions and providing information on the federal eviction moratorium that is still in effect.
On Monday, the federal government extended the moratorium on evictions through the month of June.
Despite the moratorium, Malik Marshall with Arkansas Renters United said evictions are still happening in the state and cited a lack of knowledge.
"The vast majority of cases, the number one reason why people are still losing their homes during a pandemic is because they don’t know that there’s an eviction moratorium," Marshall said.
According to Billy Cook with the Young Democrats of Arkansas, through outreach to renters, they have intervened in over 130 evictions.
"By reaching out to these renters and equipping them with tools to fight their eviction and to stay in their homes, we are in a way shielding renters in the state of Arkansas from homelessness," Cook said.
Those looking for information regarding the current eviction moratorium can call the new hotline at 501-647-1051.
In addition to the issue of evictions, participants also brought up the lack of habitability standards for renters. One bill that would establish habitability standards for renterspassed a House committee two weeks ago, but has yet to come up for a vote in the House.
