Thread by @dianeyentel

Here’s more info on the emergency rental assistance included in Covid relief package. (thread)

$25 billion for emergency rental assistance would be funded through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) and administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Of $25B total, $400 million would be allocated to U.S. territories and $800 million to tribal communities. The remaining funds would be distributed to states and cities with populations of 200,000 or more. Each state would receive a minimum of $200 million.

At least 90% of the $ must be used to provide financial assistance, including back and forward rent and utility payments, and other housing expenses. Assistance can be provided for 12 months, or up to 15mo if needed to ensure housing stability for household.

Recipients would be able to use the remainder of funds (up to 10%) to provide case management and other services related to the pandemic, as defined by the Treasury Secretary, intended to help keep households stably housed.

Cities/states can make payments directly to landlords or utility companies on behalf of renters (with renter co-sign). If landlord refuses to accept the rental assistance, assistance goes directly to renter to pay to landlord or utility provider.

Funds must be used for households with incomes below 80% of area median income (AMI), and states and localities must prioritize households below 50% of AMI or those who are unemployed and have been unemployed for 90-days.

households are eligible for rental assistance funds if one or more individuals: (1) qualified for UI or can self attest that they experienced reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to the pandemic;

(2) can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and (3) has a household income below 80% AMI.

Landlords and property owners can apply for assistance on the renter’s behalf but tenant must cosign the application & landlord must provide tenant documentation of the application. Payments must be used to pay the tenant’s rental obligations.

The Treasury Dept, in consultation w/HUD, must report quarterly on how each recipient is using rental assistance $, including # of households served, acceptance rate for applicants, types of assistance provided to each eligible household...

...average # of monthly payments, and income levels of those assisted. Data must be disaggregated by gender, race, and ethnicity of the primary applicant in household. Treasury Secretary can make full, unredacted data available for statistical research.

Here’s a fact sheet on the housing provisions in the Covid relief bill: nlihc.org/sites/default/…