CDC extends national COVID-19 eviction ban for one more month

June 24 (UPI) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday extended a national moratorium barring landlords from evicting renters through the end of July, and said it's the last time it will renew the controversial ban.

The moratorium, aimed at helping renters who have lost their jobs and had income interrupted due to COVID-19, was set to expire next week.

The health agency said Thursday's extension would be the last, meaning the moratorium will run out on July 31.

The eviction ban was first ordered last year and has since been the subject of multiple federal court decisions. Some have sided with a group of landlords who want to evict non-paying tenants. The most recent ruling earlier this month upheld the CDC ban.

Earlier Thursday, the White House announced new measures to help struggling renters and homeowners.

The announcement detailed $21.5 billion to emergency rental assistance to help Americans with hardship stay in their homes.

"State and local governments must do better. Money is available in every state to help renters who are behind on rent and at risk of eviction," the White House said in an announcement of "a number of steps to keep people in their homes by protecting renters and homeowners who are still experiencing shocks from the pandemic and its economic fallout."

"The administration is announcing a series of actions to help state and local governments prevent evictions ... [and] taking action to stabilize homeowners and support a return to a more stable housing market."

The new measures include asking state courts to participate in eviction "diversion" efforts, convening a White House summit to explore prevention tools, helping homeless families find aid, reducing confusion about how to find assistance and identifying renters who need the most help.