Evictions in the D.C. region are at their highest level since the pandemic began, thanks to rising rents and the expiration of COVID protections.

The county is still distributing federal rent relief to renters who have experienced income loss due to the pandemic.

The federal funds supporting the program are close to running out.

The measure is named after two-year-old Ezechiel Nguemezi, who died in Oct. 2020 after he fell out of a third floor window in a Takoma Park apartment building. 

Tenant advocates and housing attorneys say it’s not yet time to panic.

The Housing Justice Act bans landlords from running criminal background checks on prospective tenants until after they make a conditional offer of housing.

“If you don’t know the rules, you can’t play the game,” says the District’s Chief Tenant Advocate.

There are more than 12,000 eviction proceedings pending in Virginia courts.

These hearings are part of the process of evicting tenants, but both sides are given an opportunity to work out their dispute before a ruling is issued.

Arlington-based hamburger destinations Ray’s Hell Burger and Ray’s Hell Burger Too have been closed after a dispute between owner Michael Landrum and his landlord.