Alicia Sasser Modestino, an associate professor of public policy at Northeastern University, said a temporary extension of the eviction moratorium past Oct. 17 would have been beneficial while the Baker administration implements the plan.

“I really think if we could have extended the moratorium for another month or two, it could have made a big difference for several thousand households who are going to be facing eviction,” said Sasser Modestino, a former senior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. “And we know that overcrowded housing is one of the ways that COVID spreads. So as people get displaced, they will be doubling and tripling up with friends and relatives, which is just unsafe in terms of a public health policy.”

Sasser Modestino also pointed to national political considerations as a reason she would have recommended an extension. She said the post-election climate in Washington could make a make it easier for Congress to pass another round of cash assistance for people who remain unemployed.

Read the full interview here.