Up to 40 million U.S. renters may face eviction by the end of the year due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, according to research from the Aspen Institute and the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project.

While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a temporary moratorium halting the eviction of tenants who cannot pay rent through the end of the year, the moratorium requires that tenants must still file a federal declaration form to be eligible for the eviction protection. Additionally, tenants are obligated to navigate varying state laws and local legal proceedings.

Legal Services of Greater Miami October 7 announced a $300,000 two-year grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation which will enable the organization to provide free legal assistance and representation for people in Miami affected by COVID-19 and at-risk of eviction.