The economy may being continuing its recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but millions of people are still facing deep rental debt, fearing evictions and fighting to hold on to the most basic security of housing, and while the CDC moratorium ended on August 26, 2021, help is available for renters.
The Department of Treasury had established two rental assistance programs - ERA1 which provides up to $25 billion under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and ERA2 that provides up to $21.55 billion under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Both programs have been funding state and local governments, who in turn use those funds to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs. Each ERA grantee has some flexibility in their rental assistance programs to suit the needs of their local communities, while complying with the requirements outlined in their ERA financial assistance agreement.
The Treasury department states the following on their website:
COVID-19 has exacerbated an affordable housing crisis that predated the pandemic and that has exacerbated deep disparities that threaten the strength of an economic recovery that must work for everyone.
Latest Updates on the Department of Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program Page
November 18, 2021 Promising Practices: Promising Practices were updated for utilities with an updated discussion on working with energy providers and other utility assistance programs like LIHEAP. Treasury also updated the example screens for COVID-19 financial impact and housing instability.
Read more updates on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
You can access the Rental Assistance Finders Tool here: Find Rental Assistance Programs
Resources:
FAQs updated by the Treasury Department August 25, 2021
Additions and changes to FAQs are tracked in a change log
Find rental assistance - U.S. Department of Treasury
Federal help with paying your rent - CFPB.gov