Since the outbreak of COVID-19 some18 months ago, out-of-work renters received some relief due to the federal freeze on evictions.

But that’s about to end soon. On September 30, the fifth extension of the city of Seattle’s coronavirus eviction moratorium is set to expire, although eviction protections were extended to March for those able to show a COVID-related hardship.

To be sure, the looming deadline is creating unease for some 60,000 Seattle-area renters who are lagging behind on rent payments, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Census Bureau’s ongoing Household Pulse Survey program as reported by The Seattle Times.

Even more alarming is that the majority fear they could face eviction in the next two months.

Established in March 2020, the moratorium was an attempt by the city to prevent evictions of those who lost employment and fell behind on rent payments because of Covid-19.

At that time, the city prohibited property owners from collecting late charges and interest payments, all the while requiring them to offer payment plans to renters.