To help renters and homeowners weather the coronavirus pandemic, the CARES Act instituted a temporary eviction ban. But now that we’re reaching the end of that ban, CNBC is reporting that 6.7 million households could face eviction in a few short days.

With more than 17 million unemployed people in this country and rising COVID-19 infection rates, millions of Americans – and a disproportionate number of women and people of color – could be kicked out of their homes.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, 40% of Americans were one paycheck away from poverty. With millions out of work, benefits drying up, and people struggling to make ends meet, Congress urgently needs to act before millions lose their housing. This is both a moral imperative and an economic imperative.

Studies have shown that once people lose housing, it’s incredibly difficult for them to get back on their feet. This can turn a single bad period into a lifelong problem that is costly for both the individual and for society as a whole. It’s why homeless advocates prioritize housing-first solutions.

We know Congress can take action to mitigate a housing disaster. Instead of prioritizing multimillion-dollar corporations and ultra-wealthy individuals, Congress needs to focus on everyday people by taking immediate, impactful, and inclusive action. Banning evictions is just a short-term solution – we need a comprehensive plan to address COVID-19’s impact on housing – but it is absolutely necessary in order to prevent mass homelessness in the coming months.

The federal government is the only entity that can quickly prevent a dire economic and humanitarian crisis that will send shockwaves across the country. Congress needs to act now – and we are counting on you to make sure elected officials don’t fail the most vulnerable among us:

Please, before midnight, will you click here to write to your elected officials and demand they take action to stop 6.7 million households from losing stable housing?