The recent Supreme Court ruling to overturn the CDC’s eviction moratorium makes it all the more important to disburse the funds that have been allocated to communities to provide rent assistance to qualified renters and landlords. For over a year, many apartment owners have covered the expenses and lost rent for renters unable to pay due to the pandemic. Most are small “mom and pop” landlords who depend on rental income to get by. State and local governments must do whatever is necessary to move this historic amount of support or return funds for reallocation to grantees who are successfully getting the money out.
Landlords and tenants have a shared interest in getting back-rent paid, but most in need don’t even know this money is available and how to apply to get assistance. Communities and housing stakeholders must significantly improve marketing efforts and not depend on internet-savvy people finding applications online.
For more on how to access resources through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, visit:
NHC’s COVID-19 Housing Resource Center renters’ page
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s tool for finding rent and utility assistance
The National Council of State Housing Agencies’ emergency rental assistance tracker
The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s ERA program dashboard
The Treasury Department’s answers to frequently asked questions about the emergency rental assistance program
The National Housing Conference has been defending our American Home since 1931.
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