The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism

A federal law tried to block evictions and prevent homelessness. Cracks appeared immediately.

The Myers family is receiving money for rent from The Landlord Tenant Relief Fund in Tulsa after getting an eviction notice. The fund paid their landlord four months’ rent after city officials and nonprofits collaborated to collect public and private money to keep vulnerable renters like the Myerses from being evicted during the pandemic. Five of the six family members -- from left, Duncan, 21, Riley, 9, parents Beth and Jack and Dylan, 20 -- gathered on the front porch of their Tulsa rental home recently. (Mike Simons)