48% Oppose Rent Relief Extension: Golden/TIPP Poll

Raghavan Mayur -

Nearly one-half (48%) don't support extending rent relief due to coronavirus. Rent relief assistance should be extended, according to 43% of respondents.

The Golden/TIPP Poll completed last Friday asked 1,300 Americans nationwide, "Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement: Americans should be allowed to continue not paying rent because of the coronavirus."  The results read as follows:

  • 21% agree strongly,
  • 22% agree somewhat,
  • 24% disagree somewhat,
  • 24% disagree strongly, and
  • 8% are not sure.

Ten of the 36 demographic categories we analyzed support rent relief to continue. Generally speaking, the relief extension is favored by younger age groups, urban residents, Democrats, liberals, Blacks, and Hispanics, under $30K income group.

Regionally, midwesterners oppose it by a margin of 54% to 35%, while southerners oppose it by a margin of 48% to 42%.  The west ties at 46%, and the northeast supports extensions by a narrow margin of 46% to 45%.

Behind The Numbers

According to Census Bureau data from a survey conducted from August 18 to 30:

  • 14% of renters, or 7.7 million Americans, are behind on their payments.
  • Approximately half (48%) of those behind on their payments, or approximately 3.67 million people, are afraid of being evicted in the next two months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the eviction freeze without congressional approval.

However, in late August, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal eviction moratorium on pandemic-related evictions. "If a federally imposed eviction moratorium is to continue, Congress must specifically authorize it," the court wrote.

The Biden administration was "disappointed" by the decision. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also did not like the decision.