We ask you to use your power as representatives of Boone and the greater High Country area to demand our state and federal government freeze rent and mortgage payments indefinitely during this health crisis and economic recession. We also ask that any missed rent payments for the month of April be forgiven and no evictions be allowed to be taken against those individuals who could not pay in April.

Rent and mortgages must be frozen right now because of lack of income. The government mandated limited work hours, therefore many people who live paycheck to paycheck cannot pay their monthly bills. No stimulus checks have come yet, and even these may not be enough for people to pay for food, transportation, medicine, rent and all utilities. In addition, many people who may be undocumented or do not have Social Security Numbers, yet still pay taxes, have unfairly been excluded from these stimulus personal checks. 

We are not asking for a suspension of payments to be paid back later. We are calling for no payments to be charged for rent and mortgages in the first place. It is unfair to expect people who have not been employed to pay back a “debt” that has accrued during this national emergency. The simple premise is this: NO PAYMENTS means NO BILLS.

We urge the town council to pass this measure as fast as possible because people’s lives are at risk. At this moment, people are having to decide whether to spend their money on rent or food & other essential supplies. Everyone should have access to housing and especially now, as staying at home is in the interest of the greater public’s health. Even though evictions are suspended for now, people may face eviction once this is over which is something nobody should have to be concerned with during this time of crisis.