Landlord faces homelessness as tenants fall behind on rent during eviction ban
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eviction-ba...inkId=129314771
By Mola Lenghi
August 27, 2021 / 7:38 AM / CBS News

Brandie LaCasse has been waiting on rent for nearly a year. She owns three properties in upstate New York, but the single mother and Air Force veteran is functionally homeless after falling on hard times herself.

After notifying tenants they had to move out so she could move in, the tenants stopped paying rent and stayed put, she said. She and her daughter have been living out of her car and staying with friends.

"I've cried many nights, like thinking, 'Where's my money?'" she said.

Despite more than $23,000 in unpaid rent, LaCasse can't force her tenants out because of state and federal moratoriums on evictions.

But federal money meant to alleviate such situations isn't making it to landlords. Nearly 90% of rental assistance funds allocated by Congress has not been distributed, according to the Treasury Department.

"I don't understand how they can give my private property to somebody to live for free. I bought that property. I fixed it up with my blood, sweat and tears," she said. -- excerpt, rest at link above --