FAQ Sheet

No. The CDC’s order does not require that a renter’s financial hardship be COVID-related.

IF I HAVE ROOMMATES, DO WE EACH NEED TO FILL OUT A DECLARATION?

Yes. The CDC’s order specifies that every adult on the lease should sign and send their own declaration.

WHAT IF MY LANDLORD IGNORES THE DECLARATION AND MOVES FORWARD WITH EVICTION?

Call your local legal aid office, tenant association, or local bar association for assistance.

Landlords who violate the CDC’s order may be fined up to $100,000, face up to a year in jail, or both if the evicted person contracts coronavirus as a result of the eviction. If an evicted tenant dies of coronavirus, the landlord could be fined up to $250,000, face up to a year in jail, or both.

WHAT IF I AM IN THE PROCESS OF BEING EVICTED?

Because the order blocks all phases of the eviction process, eligible tenants going through an eviction should quickly provide their landlord a signed declaration to halt the eviction.

SHOULD I STILL PAY MY RENT?

Yes. If you are able, you should still pay as much of your rent as possible in order to continue meeting the qualifications for the moratorium. The declaration also requires you to agree that you will make partial payments to your landlord to the extent your circumstances allow it. All back rent will have to be paid once the moratorium expires on December 31, 2020.

DOES THE MORATORIUM INCLUDE ANY MONEY TO HELP ME PAY RENT?

No. Without rental assistance, the moratorium doesn’t ultimately prevent evictions – it just delays them.

CAN I BE EVICTED WHEN THE MORATORIUM EXPIRES?

Yes, although right now it is unclear whether the CDC’s order would waive protections afforded to renters under state or local laws.

WHAT STEPS MUST I TAKE TO BE PROTECTED BY THE EVICTION MORATORIUM?

If you meet all of these conditions listed above, you must send a signed declaration to your landlord.

DO I NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, “BEST EFFORTS” TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE, OR OTHER CRITERIA FOR COVERAGE?

The CDC’s order does not require you to provide any proof with the declaration. However, you may want to have documents on hand in case your landlord attempts to challenges the declaration.

NLIHC and NHLP also recommend tenants send their landlords the declaration via certified mail, which will provide you with an official receipt to prove the declaration was mailed and require a signature from the recipient to prove the declaration was delivered. Sending the declaration by email also provides evidence that you submitted the declaration. You should also make a copy of the declaration to keep for your records.

Ericka Jones Whitaker, Ed. D, Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Ericka Jones Whitaker assumed the Chief Executive Officer role of Southeastern Community Action Partnership (SCAP), formerly Southeastern Community & Family Services, Inc. (SCFS), in 2014. SCAP is one of the largest Community Action agencies in North Carolina. Whitaker oversees an annual budget of over $22 million, through several federally-funded programs and leads approximately 250 staff.

Dr. Whitaker is the recipient of the Carl D. Perkins Humanitarian Award by the Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies (SEACAA) for her overall community leadership, specifically for bringing resources to the counties she serves after the effects of Hurricane Matthew. Dr. Whitaker also received the Roselle Copeland Stewardship Award for her work in community action and has received other leadership awards for her servitude in various communities.

Whitaker previously held management positions with several nonprofit trade associations in Washington, D.C., including the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG). She was a former full-time Executive in Residence, a Professor at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke School of Business, and often teaches as an adjunct instructor. Dr. Whitaker serves on the Board of Directors for Community Action Program Legal Services, Inc. (CAPLAW) which provides legal and financial resources to Community Action Agencies. She also served as the Treasurer and Board Secretary for the North Carolina Community Action Association.

Whitaker holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and Administration from Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC; a Master of Science in Administration (MSA) with a focus in Nonprofit Management from Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC; and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Communications from The University of Maryland, University College in College Park, MD. Dr. Whitaker is a member of Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and The Links, Incorporated.

Born in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, Dr. Whitaker is the youngest of three, raised in a military family. Dr. Whitaker has lived in seven other states and Europe. She continues to have a love for traveling and cultural cuisine. With all of the “hats” she wears, Dr. Whitaker believes nothing precedes her most important role as a mother to her beautiful daughter.

Her favorite quote is by former South African President, the late Nelson Mandela: “Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.”

Tamara Monroe, MHRM, Chief Operating Officer

With over 10+ years of Human Resource experience in retail, local and federal government, higher education and nonprofit sectors, Tamara Monroe is the Chief Operating Officer of Southeastern Community Action Partnership. Ms. Monroe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus in Management, and a Master’s in Human Resource with a focus in Organizational Management.

Her motto is: “Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” – First Lady Michelle Obama.

Liying Reeder, MBA Chief Financial Officer

Liying Reeder, MBA, has more than 20 years of progressive experience in accounting and management and holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Forensic Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Ms. Reeder’s personal motto is that “One person can make a difference.”

Cynthia Foskey, Director of Executive Administration and Contracts

A servant-leader with a servant’s heart for others, Ms. Cynthia Foskey oversees Executive Administration and Contracts for Southeastern Community Action Partnership. With over 26 years of experience in community and non-profit sector work, Ms. Foskey holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management.

Tiffany Anthony, Section 8 Program Director

Tiffany Anthony brings over 15 years’ experience in Community Action, case management and advocacy for individuals, children and families that face economic challenges with limited resources
Tiffany holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Communications.

Kathleen Lowe Jacobs, MSW, Community Services Block Grant Program Director

With over nine years in The Community Action network, Mrs. Jacobs has a passion for encouraging and empowering individuals who are seeking change. She received her Master’s in Social Work and also holds a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

Her motto is: “All things are possible no matter what gets in your way! You can do it!”