It’s time to cancel rent

Hello, About half the renters in the U.S. spend more than 30% of their paycheck on rent. This makes f [Compass] Hello, About half the renters in the U.S. spend more than 30% of their paycheck on rent. This makes for precarious finances even in the best of times, but as millions of workers have suddenly found themselves out of work, it’s created a compounding problem. Even as many states have made it impossible for landlords to evict tenants for not paying their April rent, the assumption seems to be that tenants will pay back the rent at some point in the future. But for people living paycheck to paycheck who are now not getting paychecks, that’s an almost comical ask: paying three months rent later—after weeks or months of no work—will be just as impossible as paying one month of rent now. So now a group of city councilors from cities around the country are asking state and federal leaders for a more systemic solution. Simply forgive people affected by the coronavirus any rent they owe (the government would make the landlords whole). Given that many states have enacted schemes to help mortgage holders who can’t make their payments, it seems hard to leave renters with their full bill. And if we do, instead of an economic recovery once businesses are allowed to reopen, we’ll instead be faced with an economy sapping housing and homelessness crisis of untold proportions. [Read more](. —[Morgan Clendaniel]( [It’s time to cancel rent]( [It’s time to cancel rent]( A national group of local politicians are calling on state governors to do more to protect renters than simply banning evictions, and recognize that people whose jobs have disappeared will never be able to afford back rent. [fastcompany.com]( [How Big Tech survives recessions and always comes out stronger]( [How Big Tech survives recessions and always comes out stronger]( The best leaders, such as former Intel CEO Paul Otellini, have always seen difficult times as an opportunity. [fastcompany.com]( [6 tools that are more powerful than to-do lists for productivity]( [6 tools that are more powerful than to-do lists for productivity]( To-do lists are great, but certain tasks, including long-term projects, often fall through the cracks. Try this instead. [fastcompany.com]( [Want to cut toilet paper out of your life? We tested this bidet and love it.]( [Want to cut toilet paper out of your life? We tested this bidet and love it.]( The bidet’s time has come, and it only took a really crappy (sorry) toilet paper shortage to get us here. [fastcompany.com]( [Apple’s Dark Sky acquisition could be bad news for indie weather apps]( [Apple’s Dark Sky acquisition could be bad news for indie weather apps]( With its purchase of Dark Sky, Apple is cutting off a major source of inexpensive, hyperlocal weather data for other apps. [fastcompany.com]( [The government will now pay businesses to keep workers on payrolls (and hire back ones they laid off)]( [The government will now pay businesses to keep workers on payrolls (and hire back ones they laid off)]( The Paycheck Protection Program, part of the coronavirus stimulus program, is a welcome alternative to companies firing workers as business stops due to stay-at-home orders. [fastcompany.com]( [Street signs get a poignant makeover for the coronavirus era]( [Street signs get a poignant makeover for the coronavirus era]( The way we navigate public spaces has changed. Should our street signs change, too? [fastcompany.com]( [How to upgrade your work-from-home uniform (while keeping comfy)]( [How to upgrade your work-from-home uniform (while keeping comfy)]( From Lululemon pants to super-soft tee dresses, these staples are comfy, easy, and just put together enough to pull off a Zoom call. [fastcompany.com]( [Social distancing logos are the design equivalent of ‘thoughts and prayers’]( [Social distancing logos are the design equivalent of ‘thoughts and prayers’]( McDonald’s, Volkswagen, Audi: Big brands want to stay relevant at a time when pretty much no one wants to buy a new car or a Big Mac. But they’ll have to get more creative than this. [fastcompany.com]( LISTEN TO THE LATEST CREATIVE CONVERSATION PODCAST EPISODE [Singer Jessie Reyez has a lot to prove—and you have a lot to learn from her process]( [Singer Jessie Reyez has a lot to prove—and you have a lot to learn from her process]( The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter finally released her debut studio album ‘Before Love Came to Kill Us.’ How it came together spotlights creative lessons to live by. [fastcompany.com]( Download the Fast Company Magazine app: Available for [iOS]( and [Android]( devices. Did you enjoy this issue? [Fast Company] You can [update your details here](. If you don’t want to receive Compass anymore, [unsubscribe here]( If you were forwarded Compass and like it, [subscribe here]( [View this newsletter online]( Powered by [Revue]( 7 World Trade Center, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10007-2195