Struggling tenants got a temporary reprieve Wednesday when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ordered evictions be halted through Dec. 31. (File photo by Aaron Maybin) The federal government is halting evictions through the end of the year for those who have lost work during the pandemic. The moratorium, enacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is meant to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 by keeping shelters as underpopulated as possible. It will cover tenants who cannot pay rent due to loss of household income and who can prove they’ve made their best effort to pay a landlord. They must also specify that eviction could leave them homeless or force them to live with others at close quarters, like shelters. Like the eviction moratorium Gov. Tony Evers put in place earlier this year, the federal government’s moratorium stops evictions, but it does not suspend rent. Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing! The CDC order covers those who: In a news release, Ald. Khalif Rainey said, “this is very welcomed news, as we have seen a surge in evictions in the weeks since the CARES Act moratorium expired.” Forms will be available on the CDC website once the order is published in the Federal Register. Resources to consult if you’re worried about eviction Check out our Instagram Story on “Milwaukee resources to help you avoid evictions.” Help is just a text away with our News414 project with our friends from Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media. Text MILWAUKEE to 73224 to see how it works.