After Eviction Moratorium Ends, Plymouth Nonprofit Sees Spike in Rent Assistance Requests

Weeks after the federal eviction moratorium ended, Plymouth-based Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners (IOCP) say it’s seeing more people coming in for rent assistance and other financial needs.

Officials with IOCP say the ending of the moratorium has created a domino effect. They’re seeing more people using IOCP’s food shelf and other services.

“We see an increase in requests financially for large medical bills. There are also requests for people wanting support because they need to move and leave the area,” said Kevin Ward, executive director of IOCP.

Ward says many residents faced housing instability during the height of the pandemic and are struggling to play catch up on rent.

Last year, the nonprofit helped about 200 families who were experiencing homelessness. Officials anticipate that number to increase in the next few weeks as more people seek assistance.

“There is certainly poverty in the western suburbs, and 14 percent are in poverty. For a family of four, that’s about $26,500 a year and the average rent in the area is about $1,400,” said Ward.

Minnesota still provides some eviction prevention if renters have a pending application through the state’s COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program. 

Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners sees rent assistance and other requests increase.

On Nov. 1, IOCP will start its annual Sleep Out fundraiser. The goal is to raise $3 million to prevent homelessness.

Plymouth