More Than Shelter: The Eﬀects of Rental Eviction Moratoria on Household Well-Being

RePEc Short ID: ptz21
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9247-5502

An, Xudong; Gabriel, Stuart A.; Tzur-Ilan, Nitzan

doi:10.21799/frbp.wp.2022.10

Working Paper

More Than Shelter: The Eﬀects of Rental Eviction Moratoria on Household Well-Being

Abstract: We investigate the impact of 2020 COVID-19 rental eviction moratoria on household well-being. Analysis of new panel data indicates that eviction moratoria reduced evictions filings and resulted in redirection of scarce household ﬁnancial resources to immediate consumption needs, notably including food and grocery spending. We also ﬁnd that eviction moratoria reduced household food insecurity and mental stress, with larger effects evidenced among African American households. Findings suggest broad salutary effects of eviction moratoria during a period of widespread virus and economic distress.

Keywords: Eviction moratorium; consumption; food security; mental health; COVID-19;

JEL Classification: G28; R30; I38;

https://doi.org/10.21799/frbp.wp.2022.10