Rent is expensive, there is no way to get around it and no other way to say it. Millions of people are chronically behind on their rent and they do need monthly assistance. In 2020, the pandemic affected the population as most were stuck at home, many were unable to work and unable to pay rent. Rental assistance provided by the American Rescue Plan is what kept Americans housed during these difficult times. Now that the brunt of the pandemic is in the past, can those in need still receive rent assistance?
What is the American Rescue Plan?
During the pandemic and a year or so that followed, the United States Government worked to assist renters behind on payments, providing vital aid to help them stay afloat. The American Rescue Plan Act was put in place in 2021 by the Biden/Harris administration as an effort to help ease some of the struggles that we were all feeling during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic kept millions of people at home, unable to make money. Many lost their jobs and could not make their rent and mortgage payments as a result of the financial hardship. This not only included those unable to pay their rent but also created a struggle for those who could not collect their rent and make payments.
The Act included provisions for stimulus checks, increased tax rebates, increased tax credits, and even relief when it came to rent and mortgage payments. One such provision was that landlords could not evict tenants affected by COVID-19 and could not work and make their payments. The Act provided 21.6 billion dollars in funding that went to rent assistance.
This relief applied to those renters who qualified, you could apply for assistance during the pandemic and could be approved so that those payments were given straight to your landlord so you could relax and focus on staying afloat.
This program helped keep millions of people in their homes and apartments ensuring that they would have a roof over their heads. Not only were there plenty of rental assistance programs in place but there was also a mortgage moratorium where banks could not move forward with foreclosure for those who were unable to make their mortgage payments.
This was a fantastic and much-needed program during COVID and it did help those that were greatly struggling to stay afloat. This program remained in place until 2022 when things started to return to pre-covid conditions.
How Did the American Rescue Plan Change the Rental Landscape?
Currently, there are no moratoriums or holds on rent or mortgage payments. This means landlords can evict tenants and banks can start the foreclosure process on homes.
So, how did the American Rescue Plan change rental law and how did it affect the future of rental relief? Many saw positives with the introduction of rental assistance as it helped those struggling to stay housed during financially uncertain times. Currently, the federal government and many local governments see great merit in creating a potentially permanent program to help with rent.
While this program will likely not be on the large scale as the rental assistance employed due to COVID-19, there are still some great assistance programs in place. Assistance can oftentimes be found for those on a state level if looking for rental assistance.
The United States Department of the Treasury moved towards the ERA2 program or the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in 2021 to help those who needed rental assistance. The ERA program is still in place, and there are still ways to qualify if you meet certain conditions.
For those who have lost income or are unemployed, who are owed expenses, or who have financial hardships, you can get help with your rent. No matter your situation, it may be helpful to contact your local government to see what you qualify for and how you can get help.
It is in the government’s best interest to make sure that rental properties, renters, and landlords are protected. Rent can be expensive, but the right help and the right assistance can make all the difference to keep you in your home.
Rent is expensive, there is no way to get around it and no other way to say it. Millions of people are chronically behind on their rent and they do need monthly assistance. In 2020, the pandemic affected the population as most were stuck at home, many were unable to work and unable to pay rent. Rental assistance provided by the American Rescue Plan is what kept Americans housed during these difficult times. Now that the brunt of the pandemic is in the past, can those in need still receive rent assistance?
What is the American Rescue Plan?
During the pandemic and a year or so that followed, the United States Government worked to assist renters behind on payments, providing vital aid to help them stay afloat. The American Rescue Plan Act was put in place in 2021 by the Biden/Harris administration as an effort to help ease some of the struggles that we were all feeling during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic kept millions of people at home, unable to make money. Many lost their jobs and could not make their rent and mortgage payments as a result of the financial hardship. This not only included those unable to pay their rent but also created a struggle for those who could not collect their rent and make payments.
The Act included provisions for stimulus checks, increased tax rebates, increased tax credits, and even relief when it came to rent and mortgage payments. One such provision was that landlords could not evict tenants affected by COVID-19 and could not work and make their payments. The Act provided 21.6 billion dollars in funding that went to rent assistance.
This relief applied to those renters who qualified, you could apply for assistance during the pandemic and could be approved so that those payments were given straight to your landlord so you could relax and focus on staying afloat.
This program helped keep millions of people in their homes and apartments ensuring that they would have a roof over their heads. Not only were there plenty of rental assistance programs in place but there was also a mortgage moratorium where banks could not move forward with foreclosure for those who were unable to make their mortgage payments.
This was a fantastic and much-needed program during COVID and it did help those that were greatly struggling to stay afloat. This program remained in place until 2022 when things started to return to pre-covid conditions.
How Did the American Rescue Plan Change the Rental Landscape?
Currently, there are no moratoriums or holds on rent or mortgage payments. This means landlords can evict tenants and banks can start the foreclosure process on homes.
So, how did the American Rescue Plan change rental law and how did it affect the future of rental relief? Many saw positives with the introduction of rental assistance as it helped those struggling to stay housed during financially uncertain times. Currently, the federal government and many local governments see great merit in creating a potentially permanent program to help with rent.
While this program will likely not be on the large scale as the rental assistance employed due to COVID-19, there are still some great assistance programs in place. Assistance can oftentimes be found for those on a state level if looking for rental assistance.
The United States Department of the Treasury moved towards the ERA2 program or the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in 2021 to help those who needed rental assistance. The ERA program is still in place, and there are still ways to qualify if you meet certain conditions.
For those who have lost income or are unemployed, who are owed expenses, or who have financial hardships, you can get help with your rent. No matter your situation, it may be helpful to contact your local government to see what you qualify for and how you can get help.
It is in the government’s best interest to make sure that rental properties, renters, and landlords are protected. Rent can be expensive, but the right help and the right assistance can make all the difference to keep you in your home.
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