The COVID-19 disease has resulted in a worldwide pandemic. Over 85 million worldwide confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in a single year (2020) with more than 1.8 million of those cases resulting in death. The United States reported over 20 million confirmed cases in 2020 with over 300,000 deaths. This is a public health crisis that has resulted in widespread government response including event cancellations/prohibitions, stay-at-homes orders, the closure of nonessential businesses, and more. Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio declared a state of emergency on 3/9/2020 immediately following the first case reported in the state. On 3/13/2020, President Donald Trump declared the viral disease a national emergency. On 3/27/2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. This is a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill that is meant to respond to the social and economic upheaval the disease has caused. This is the largest stimulus package passed in the United States to date.

The pandemic has damaged not only health systems, but social and economic systems as well. One effect of COVID-19 has been mass housing instability, which is predominantly due to evictions. Many people have lost their jobs due to COVID-19. This leaves them with little income to pay their bills, including rent/mortgage and utilities, forcing them to face consequences such as eviction or utility shutoffs. As a result of these housing issues, federal, state, and local governments have all passed legislation to prevent housing instability. The following timeline displays how the Federal Government, the State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County, and the City of Cleveland responded to housing issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.