Texas judge rules eviction moratorium unconstitutional

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - A judge in the US state of Texas has sided with landlords and property owners saying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) moratorium temporarily halting evictions amid coronavirus is unconstitutional.

"Although the COVID-19 pandemic persists, so does the Constitution," US District Judge John Barker wrote in a 21-page ruling issued Thursday.

The CDC order which "generally makes it a crime" for landlords and property owners to evict tenants who were unable to pay rent and had no options for affordable housing initially came into force in September under former President Donald Trump.

Then it was extended by President Joe Biden's administration until March 31.

The CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement at that time that coronavirus has "triggered a housing affordability crisis that disproportionately affects some communities."