$45 Billion in apartment rental assistance. Here’s what Boston renters need to know
Billions of dollars in federal apartment rental assistance is still available to struggling renters, though some states are running out of funds.
As a result, apartment tenants who are behind should apply for the aid as soon as possible, experts say.
Congress allocated more than $45 billion during the pandemic to cover households’ back rent and to help families avoid eviction.
By the end of March, more than $15 billion had not been spent yet, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Here’s what you need to know about accessing the remaining relief.
Where do I request the apartment aid?
The National Low Income Housing Coalition has a state-by-state list of the more than 500 organizations giving out the federal money.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has a new online tool to help you apply for the aid.
Who qualifies for apartment aid?
To be eligible, at least one member of your household has to qualify for unemployment benefits or attest in writing that they’ve lost income or incurred significant expenses due to the pandemic. You’ll also need to demonstrate a risk of homelessness, which may include a past-due rent or utility notice.
In addition, your income usually can’t exceed 80% of your area’s median income. Some states have been directed to prioritize applicants who fall at 50% or lower, as well as those who’ve been out of work for 90 days or longer.
How much could I get?
You could receive between 12 months and 18 months of rental assistance, including a mix of payments for back and future housing payments.
If you’ve already received rental relief but are behind once more, you can typically apply again as long as you’re requesting coverage for a different period of time.
The money usually goes to your landlord, unless they refuse to comply. If you run into that problem, you can (and should) ask the program if you can get the funds directly, advocates say.
I’m worried about eviction. What should I do?
If your landlord has moved to evict you, try to get a lawyer as soon as possible, experts say.
You can find low-cost or free legal help with an eviction in your state at Lawhelp.org.
In some places, including Washington state, Maryland and Connecticut, tenants facing eviction now have a right to free representation.
In addition, just applying for rental assistance in some areas may temporarily pause any eviction proceeding against you, and you should ask the program you applied to or a lawyer about your rights.
Boston Real Estate
$45 Billion in apartment rental assistance. Here’s what Boston renters need to know
Between the federal stimulus package passed in December and the one making its way through Congress, there could soon be more than $45 billion in financial assistance available to those who’ve fallen behind on their rent.
All states have already been allocated funds from a $25 billion pot of federal money included in the earlier relief bill, and the $1.9 trillion stimulus package in the works and expected to pass this month set aside another $20 billion.
That’s because the process of applying for the money varies state by state, and the rollout of the programs hasn’t been quick. While the first round of $25 billion in rental assistance was passed more than two months ago, just 15 states have begun giving the money out, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
“But new programs are opening regularly,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
The best way to increase your odds of getting the assistance is to stay informed about the rules, experts say. Here’s what you need to know.
Am I eligible?
To qualify for the assistance, at least one member in your household has to be eligible for unemployment benefits or attest in writing that they’ve lost income or incurred significant expenses due to the pandemic.
You will also need to demonstrate a risk of homelessness, which may include a past due rent or utility notice.
In addition, your income level for 2020 can’t exceed 80% of your area’s median income, though states have been directed to prioritize applicants who fall at 50% or lower, as well as those who’ve been out of work for 90 days or more.
Not all states have set up there rental assistance program yet, but all states should eventually have one.
If individuals are in a state where the program has not opened, they should check to see if their locality is offering a rental assistance program.
How do I apply?
Where or how to apply will vary city by city
Many areas already had existing rental assistance funds, and it will be through one of these that you apply for the new aid. In other cases, new programs will be created to disburse the money, Benfer said.
Renters should contact local housing groups, their representatives or the local 211/311 lines to identify programs and learn how to apply,” she added.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition has a database of rental assistance programs, too.
Your landlord can also apply for you but must get your signature and provide you with a copy of the application if they do so.
How much could I get?
“Many programs established under the Treasury’s $25 billion do not have funding caps,” Yentel said. “Rather, tenants are restricted based on how many months of assistance they can receive.”
Some programs allow 12 months, others 15. The pot of money in President Joe Biden’s stimulus package, the American Rescue Plan, would allow people to access payments for up to 18 months of rent.
The funds are paid to your landlord. If your landlord refuses to accept the funds, you may be able to get them directly.
I’m worried about eviction. What should I do?
Apply for the funds immediately.
Also, understand your rights. Most renters should be allowed to stay in their homes at least through the end of March, thanks to the president’s extension of an order announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September that made evictions for nonpayment illegal.
To evoke that protection, you’ll need to attest on a declaration form that you meet a few requirements, such as expecting to earn less than $99,000 in the 2020-2021 calendar year.
If a tenant cannot pay the rent, they should provide the declaration to their property owner as soon as possible.
