A month after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s national eviction moratorium, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has extended its moratorium on evictions through the end of the year.

The extension, announced late last week, was implemented by RRHA Interim Chief Executive Officer Stacey Daniels-Fayson as “a final and additional opportunity for RRHA residents who are still behind to catch up” on outstanding rent payments.

The move follows discussions with the RRHABoard of Commissioners and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop- ment on the potential impact not collecting rent for the rest year would have.

“It is our sincere hope that our families who remain behind will use this time and take the necessary measures to bring their rent balances current,” Ms. Daniels-Fayson stated. “The housing authority has gone above and beyond and will continue to reach out to families who are behind through the end of the moratorium. We need our families to do their part.”

RRHA officials said more than 1,300 families of the nearly 4,000 families in hous- ing managed by RRHA are behind on their rent. The housing authority has helped 519 families by applying for Virginia rent relief funds and using them to reduce or eliminate overdue rent bills, officials said.

RRHA residents experiencing financial hardship directly or indirectly because of COVID-19, such as job loss, child care challenges and other hardships, are asked to contact their property management office for resources and help. Families in arrears are encouraged to enter into a repayment agreement.