Lucas Metropolitan Housing to Extend Eviction Moratorium

Consistent with our commitment to reevaluate the need for an extension on our eviction moratorium thirty days prior to the expiration of the current date-February 28, 2021-LMH President and Chief Executive Officer, Joaquin Cintron Vega, has authorized an extension that is applicable locally until Friday, April 30, 2021.

LMH understands that housing insecurity was already at a crisis level nationally and locally before COVID-19. Under Joaquin Cintron Vega's leadership, LMH proactively issued its own eviction moratorium that extended beyond federal mandates. This moratorium applies to evictions for nonpayment of rent. The agency has extended the moratorium several times already and will continue to do so as necessary into 2021.

The temporary moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent and fees and penalties related to nonpayment of rent, applies to all tenants, regardless if employment was affected by COVID-19. LMH alerts its residents that any rent missed during the moratorium will accumulate and still be due when the eviction moratorium is lifted. For any unpaid rent during the moratorium, the family must repay LMH or sign a repayment agreement to pay any amount owed after the moratorium has ended. LMH is working with our residents to educate them about the process.

LMH understands the critical importance of providing stable housing, now more than ever, and is committed to working with its residents to do everything it can to keep them in their homes.

"LMH understands that eviction has a serious impact on community homelessness and housing instability. As an anti-poverty organization, LMH has many safeguards in place to ensure that the individuals and families it serves remain housed," stated Cintron Vega.

During the pandemic, LMH continued providing housing, services, and support programs critical to its residents, serving with a sense of compassion. Not a single resident has had an eviction filed against them for nonpayment of rent since the pandemic has started.

LMH has over 2600 units in the Low-Income Public Housing Program and serves approximately 17,500 residents across all its programs. LMH understands the cost of homelessness to families, children and to our community. It works hand in hand with community partners, like the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board, to provide housing resources for special population groups - for example, the chronically homeless. It will continue to find other resources that can ensure that everyone in Lucas County has a place to call home.

LMH will continue to reevaluate the need for an extension to this policy 30 days prior to the current expiration date.

About Lucas Metropolitan Housing

Established in 1933, Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH) continues to provide affordable housing to adults, seniors and children in its Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, Mixed-Income and Market Rate housing units. LMH also provides a myriad of programs and opportunities designed to improve the total quality of life for our residents, with the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency. The programs and services are the results of successful collaborations with numerous community partners.

Our current housing portfolio consists of 2,633 Public Housing units; 4,657 Housing Choice Vouchers; 322 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units; 198 Market Rate units and 107 Homeownership Properties. There are approximately 17,500 people who reside in LMH properties. Lucas Metropolitan Housing partners with ALL people and organizations willing to exchange ideas and efforts to enhance Toledo, Lucas County and the world.                                                                                                  

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