Congressman Cleaver Calls on Governor Parson, MHDC to Immediately Implement Program to Protect Missourians From Eviction

(Washington, D.C.) – This week, United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) called on Missouri Governor Mike Parson and the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) to expedite the implementation of the Missouri Emergency Rental Arrears Program (MERAP), which was funded by the CARES Act, to protect Missourians who are currently being threatened with eviction.

In a letter to Governor Parson, Congressman Cleaver wrote: "I understand that there is significant concern that MHDC's program may not be rolled out in time to rescue the hundreds of Missouri families in the eviction pipeline and that it may take intervention from your office to close this time gap. I have every confidence that you can leverage the important tools within the state's infrastructure to meet this moment and help save these families on the verge of eviction."

Missouri remains in the midst of a surge of coronavirus cases, and we currently rank among the top 10 states with the highest number of unpaid mortgages and rents in the country. Since March, thousands of eviction cases have been filed in Kansas City and St. Louis, while there has also been a 300% surge in the number of calls to Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri from families on the verge of losing their homes.

In order to avoid a tsunami of evictions and protect those who are most vulnerable, the MHDC used CARES Act funding to create the MERAP. However, there is are concerns that the program may not be implemented in time to protect families who are most at risk of eviction, which is why it is critical for the State to roll out the MERAP without further delay.

"I know that Governor Parson understands the urgency with which we must rollout this program to protect hundreds of Missouri families from being forced out of their homes as the winter approaches," said Congressman Cleaver. "In order to prevent that tragedy from occurring, we need the state to use every tool in the toolbox to get this program up-and-running as soon as humanly possible. I have every confidence the Governor will do so, and I will do whatever necessary to assist in that endeavor."

You can find Congressman Cleaver's official letter to Governor Parson here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or Matthew.Helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.