There’s good news on the horizon for both homeowner landlords and tenants within the city of Cleveland. Last week, the administration of Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish proposed providing $6.8 million in rental assistance to people unable to afford rent due to the economic downturn brought on by the pandemic. Before a full council vote, the county council’s Community Development Committee will consider the proposal. If passed, $6.8 million may become available to provide up to three months of emergency rental assistance to income-eligible tenants. This program is slated to start July 1, 2020, and to continue through year-end. In addition, the city of Cleveland is using $11.3 million of the $19 million it received in federal coronavirus aid for housing assistance.
For those tenants that aren’t paying rent and don’t qualify for assistance, landlords have the option of proceeding with legal remedies, subject to limitations under the CARES Act, in that the Cleveland Municipal Housing Court has reopened and resumed hearing housing cases. The court had stopped hearing cases in March. The June 4th Order from Housing Court Judge W. Mona Scott indicates the court will only accept 125 cases per day. Hearings will be set 30 days after filing. For cases filed beyond the 125 per day cap, those will be accepted on the following day(s). Note, the court is also limiting filings to 25 cases per landlord, with only five per landlord if the reason for eviction is other than nonpayment of rent.
For safety reasons, the court intends on hearing many cases via Zoom. If someone doesn’t have access to Zoom, the court will conduct an in-person hearing, if notified. Expect more changes and announcements in other Ohio courts soon.
This blog is not a solicitation for business, and it is not intended to constitute legal advice on specific matters, create an attorney-client relationship, or be legally binding in any way.
