Supreme Court keeps CDC's eviction moratorium in place

Washington — The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will allow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) moratorium on evictions, imposed to protect renters during the coronavirus pandemic, to remain in place.

In a 5-4 decision, the court denied a request from a group of realtors and landlords to lift the moratorium, which was first issued by the CDC in September 2020 and prohibits landlords nationwide from evicting certain tenants who fall behind on their rent. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined with the liberal wing of the Supreme Court in leaving the prohibition in place, while Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett said they would end the moratorium. In a separate opinion, Kavanaugh cited the CDC's plans to lift the moratorium next month as justification for allowing it to remain untouched by the court.