Gavel.jpg when evictions resumed last week...the state and lexington both released plans to keep people healthy at home while keeping landlords in business.
We know it hasn't been enough yet to satisfy tenants...with groups rallying outside court in protest.
Today...abc 36's christy bollinger found out it's not enough for landlords either.
L3: abc 36 news white eviction plan not enough for landlords or tenants lexington l3: abc 36 news white brandi carter been evicted in the past l3: abc 36 news white eviction plan not enough for landlords or tenants lexington l3: abc 36 news white stephen marshall attorney for landlords l3: abc 36 news white eviction plan not enough for landlords or tenants lexington chant-"why do they refuse to act?"
Protests like this one last week in lexington are an effort to halt evictions, which started back up last week.
Protesters ask if the pandemic is ongoing..
Why are people getting evicted?
Brandi carter-been evicted before"the spikes are going up.
There's more people getting sick with it.
Now what if they start evicting people and places start shutting back down that's more people on the streets and i just don't think that's right."
Brandi carter knows what being evicted is like.
Carter"without the help of other people its hard to tell if we would be on the streets.
Ya know me and my husband had nothing at the time."
Pre-pandemic, the eviction process required one court appearance.
The judge could ask the tenant to move out in 7 days.
But the state supreme court just issued an order extending the process..requiring two court appearances..
And a 14-day pause before trial can be set... allowing landlords and tenants time to access available rental assistance.
Attorney stephen marshall says that won't help the landlords he represents.
Attorney for landlords-stephen marshall"time is money for landlords.
When they get a tenant behind in rent they need an eviction process that is streamlined."
Marshall"if you get one, two, three of those folks who aren't paying or give months, that's a significant strain.
Okay they are losing their livelihoods."
Marshall says anyone being evicted now, would've been anyway pandemic or not....but he says landlords are working with people covid-19 has impacted financially.
That's what the lexington housing justice collective says it's asking for...more time for people who need a safe place to stay...especially right
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