A federal moratorium on evictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic expires Saturday, leaving many local residents who are behind on rent facing eviction and homelessness.

According to the New York Times database, 13.2% of renters in Washington County owe an average of $2,575 in rent payments, and landlords will soon be able to begin the eviction process. An estimated $23 billion of back rent is owed nationwide, with Iowa’s hardest hit counties including Plymouth and Woodbury to the northwest at over 15% of renters behind on payments, while the hardest hit states overall include South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas with several counties reaching nearly 30% of all renters behind on payments.

For those renting and behind on payments facing eviction, the federal government allows applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance program, which is allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for states to distribute for rent relief.