On July 25, the federal moratorium on evictions ended. This Saturday, August 1, rent will come due for tenants across the country, just as the $600 weekly supplement to unemployment benefits expires for out-of-work renters.

As of early July, over 17 million people were receiving unemployment benefits; millions more are still waiting to access them, or are undocumented or otherwise unable to qualify for aid. Even for those who have managed to hang on to their jobs, the threat of eviction looms large. Census data suggest that nationally, over 40 percent of renter households are struggling or unable to pay rent — which could mean over 11 million evictions in the coming months.

Those who are booted from their homes will be more likely to lose their jobs, if they haven’t already, and find it harder to get a new job. They will be forced to double up with friends or family, vie for a place in an overcrowded shelter, or live on the streets, all of which will increase their vulnerability to COVID-19. If anywhere near the number of potential evictions are actually carried out, millions of people will suffer a devastating blow, prolonging the pain of the pandemic.