Thousands of Virginia residents are now at risk of losing their homes during the pandemic under a new order issued by the state Supreme Court, DCist.com reported. The order, released on Monday by Virginia Chief Justice Donald Lemons, allows courts across the state to resume hearings for evictions on June 29, the day after a temporary stay expires. A second order lets courts immediately resume eviction hearings that aren’t related to nonpayment of rent, such as if a tenant breaches the terms of their lease. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) had requested a pause on evictions for most of June while the state prepared a new rent relief program to help tenants who have lost income during the pandemic. That program has not yet been implemented. It’s not clear whether Northam will request another pause on evictions while the relief program is underway. Advocates for low-income renters say that the order is both surprising and disappointing, after Virginia’s Supreme Court had approved multiple delays for eviction cases as the public health crisis continues. The advocates say that they’re rushing to find ways to delay evictions for Virginians at immediate risk of homelessness. Some are continuing to encourage local sheriffs to delay issuing writs of eviction in areas with high COVID-19 rates, as well as communicating with landlords’ attorneys to ask whether their clients plan to pursue eviction proceedings during the pandemic.
