Letter to the editor: Covid-19 relief needed amid housing crisis

I was surprised that voting decisions of many Pennsylvanians remained unaffected by covid-19, despite the fundamental effects of the pandemic on the 2020 election (“How covid-19 did and didn’t affect the election in Pennsylvania”).

What covid-19 has undeniably affected is housing insecurity in our state. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports 17% of renters in Pennsylvania were not caught up on rent as of last month. Furthermore, the national eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is set to last only until Dec. 31. It is against this dire backdrop that Senate leaders have continued to fail to move robust covid-19 relief legislation.

Let’s consider the effects. Not only does housing instability make it harder for families to stay employed, put food on the table and educate their children, but it also makes it harder to vote.

Therefore, it’s a matter of democracy that Sens. Pat Toomey and Bob Casey work with leaders in Washington to pass a strong covid-19 relief bill that includes at least $100 billion in rental assistance for the coming year.

Keerthana Samanthapudi

Oakland