Hurricane survivors face eviction threats amid calls for housing protections

Survivors of Hurricane Helene are demanding state moratoriums on evictions as Black renters in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida fear displacement due to post-storm financial strain.

Adam Mahoney reports for Capital B News.

In short:

• Dozens gathered at a North Carolina courthouse on Oct. 17, advocating for eviction protections for hurricane-displaced renters, who are disproportionately Black and low-income.
• As communities grapple with storm damage, housing advocates warn of rising eviction rates and urge states to adopt moratoriums similar to a new policy in Sonoma County, California.
• Landlords frequently increase rents after storms, further burdening vulnerable residents, while recent Florida laws prevent counties from enacting independent renter protections.

Key quote:

“The renter protections just passed in Sonoma County are nothing short of groundbreaking. They have also provided a blueprint for how local governments can be proactive and responsive to climate crises that has the potential to change many lives across the nation.”

— Dawn Phillips, director of the Right to the City Alliance

Why this matters:

Climate-driven disasters worsen housing instability, especially for low-income Black communities. Without protections, renters face long-term displacement, higher housing costs, and increased homelessness as recovery efforts lag.