COLUMBUS (WCMH) – Ohio could soon face another crisis — this time, people being evicted from their homes. State lawmakers are calling for action before it’s too late.

“The truth is, we’ve seen thousands of evictions filed already during the pandemic and that’s not the tip of the iceberg, that’s the tip of the glacier,” said Carlie Boos, Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio executive director.

Toward the end of July, the federal moratorium on evictions was lifted and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation expired. At the same time, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 20% of Ohioans have no confidence they’ll be able to afford next month’s rent.

“These are just normal, everyday people that you’d see at a grocery store or on a street that have been living life the correct way but for no fault of their own, were hit by the fallout of this COVID crisis,” said Rep. David Leland (D-Columbus).

Representatives Leland and Juanita Brent introduced the Eviction Crisis Response Act this week at the Ohio Statehouse. The bill would take $270 million from Ohio’s rainy day fund and create a program for rental assistance.

“Ten percent of the rainy day fund is the least we can do to help half a million Ohioans who may be evicted from their homes,” Leland said.

The program could pay rent that is owed back until April 1 with a limit of two months. It would be temporary and after 60 days, it would send back what money is left to the rainy day fund. Boos believes if Ohio does not help these people, the looming eviction crisis will impact everyone.

“You’re going to see it start with the tenant and go up to the property owner, which goes up to lenders and banks,” Boos said. “This is something that’s going to have consequences across the board.”

The Ohio House of Representatives is not scheduled to be back in session until mid-September. Leland said if the bill is passed, it will go into effect immediately.