NAHMA Update: Treasury Releases Information on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The U.S. Department of Treasury published information on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. As provided on the website, the Emergency Rental Assistance program will make $25 billion available to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The funds will be provided directly to eligible grantees, which include “States (including the District of Columbia), U.S. Territories (Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa), local governments with more than 200,000 residents, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Indian tribes (defined to include Alaska native corporations) or the tribally designated housing entity of an Indian tribe.”

Members are strongly encouraged to visit this Treasury website to learn more about: Information for Renters, including Eligibility, Available Assistance, and Application Process. The website is available here: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares/emergency-rental-assistance-program  or here: NAHMA Coronavirus Resource Page (under Dept. of Treasury and IRS).  In addition to all 50 States, Treasury also provided a list of the 426 eligible counties and cities/towns that had a population of more than 200,000 people in 2019 according to the Census Bureau, available here: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/ERA-List-of-Eligible-Local-Governments-Final.pdf 

***An important reminder, we are currently at the stage where States and the eligible units of local governments, are applying for their portion of the $25 billion in funding, by the January 12th deadline….Once this process is completed, we expect Treasury will announce the funding amounts provided to each State or unit of local government. As provided on the website, “Households and landlords should not submit applications for assistance to the Dept. of Treasury.” Once awards have been made, the respective State(s) and Local government(s) will administer their respective rental assistance programs and should be consulted for additional information.***