I'll be monitoring progressive advocacy group Battle Born Progress' discussion on the current status of evictions in Nevada.

Here's some background on where we're at. https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/so-defeated-tenants-face-eviction-as-aid-expires-job-market-remains-unforgiving

Battle Born Progress Executive Director Annette Magnus starts off the conversation framing the situation as an "eviction crisis."

Nevada Legal Aid Policy Director Bailey Bortolin says there's been some improvement with DETR and unemployment benefits in Nevada, though many are still experiencing problems. Nevadans can now file appeals if their claims have been denied.

Bortolin applauds the emergency regulations done during the special session to remove some of the "red tape" of DETR and applying for unemployment benefits. She says she hopes the emergency regulations will translate to policy in 2021 to permanently streamline the process.

Bortolin labels the Sisolak's eviction moratorium, which has since expired, as "one of the best in the country." Now Nevadans are left with federal moratorium protections that Bortolin says are "far inferior."

Even with the federal moratorium, Bortolin says evictions are moving forward in Nevada.

"Many landlords have just decided to try their luck, and see if they can convince you that you should leave, see if they can get a court to decide with them that the protections don't apply to you and grant the evictions," Bortolin says.

Bortolin encourages people who receive eviction notices to immediately call their legal aid provider because "it is so much easier for us to help you stay in your house, than to find a way to help you if you've already left."

Bortolin says there's been thousands who have been evicted since the state's moratorium has expired, and that January will see hundreds of thousands more at risk of being evicted.

"We need to get creative and find ways to ensure that we are not putting hundreds of thousands of people out in the street in the middle of a pandemic," Bortolin says.

Rental assistance funds end at the end of the year, so even with the backlog, Bortolin says everyone should "get in line" for aid and not wait.

Bortolin says that most important things tenants who fear eviction can do are apply for the rental assistance program and respond to any eviction notice received. She points out that legal aid providers can help tenants respond to that notice and take the next steps.

Bortolin ends her segment encouraging tenants to contact representatives at all levels and press them to come up with solutions. She says Nevada has "great leaders," and gives shoutouts to Commissioner Tick Segerblom and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, for their work on the issue.

"We just all have to now put our heads together and figure out what do we do to make sure that more people aren't harmed," Bortolin says.

Reno Councilwoman Naomi Duerr starts her comments highlighting that around 50 percent of Reno households are renters.

Duerr says that in addressing evictions, it's important to support both landlords and tenants and to not forget about businesses that may also be facing eviction.

Getting an accurate count — and keeping that number updated — of people experiencing homelessness in a city has many challenges, but Duerr highlights Washoe County's community dashboard that tracks the unsheltered population in the region.

Duerr says the number of those experiencing homelessness in June was 1300. Now it's around 1800.

https://www.washoecounty.us/homelessness/built-for-zero/dashboard.php

Duerr says that Reno usually has around $1 million from HUD to help people with rental assistance or deposits and down payments. Now, that budget is $2 million and is primarily for rental assistance. About half of it has been spent and has helped 600 families.

Duerr highlights landlord's cooperation with tenants in Reno.

"They want to keep people in, they want to work with people, and they are willing to accept the vouchers and accept the rental systems," she says.

Duerr emphasizes the work elected officials have done and are willing to do to help people with challenges during this time.

"We're just like everybody else. We're humans. And we're trying to cope through the pandemic, just like everyone," she says.

Echoing Bortolin, Duerr details how complicated it can be for tenants to qualify for protections. i.e. tenants must file the CDC form before eviction proceedings. If proceedings have already begun, tenants can still file for protections, but they must also file it with the court.

"You have to understand your rights. And I think that's where the attorneys have a huge education process," Duerr says. "We probably should be doing more at the city to be honest with you on the education piece."

Duerr also highlights mental health challenges people may be facing and the $1.3 million the Reno City Council has funneled to providing mental health services to the community.

Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones starts off his segment talking about the hit Southern Nevada has taken during the pandemic, both in terms of public health and also the tourism-dependent economy.

Jones points to the denial of Sisolak's request to put eviction hearings on "pause" from Suzan Baucum, Chief Justice of the Justice Court, as a loss for work him and other commissioners have been doing. Magnus describes the decision as "heartless."

Jones notes that there's hurdles to what the commission can do in terms of evictions, but notes that commissioners are working closely with the district attorney to see what options are available.