More than Shelter: The Effect of Rental Eviction Moratoria on Household Well-Being
- (pp. 308-12)
Abstract
We investigate the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 rental eviction moratoria on household well-being. Analysis of new panel data indicates that eviction moratoria reduced evictions 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.Citation
An, Xudong, Stuart A. Gabriel, and Nitzan Tzur-Ilan. 2022. "More than Shelter: The Effect of Rental Eviction Moratoria on Household Well-Being." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 112: 308-12. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20221108Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D12 Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
- G51 Household Finance: Household Saving, Borrowing, Debt, and Wealth
- I12 Health Behavior
- I31 General Welfare; Well-Being
- J15 Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
- R38 Production Analysis and Firm Location: Government Policy