§9058c Emergency rental assistance

Summary

The law gives the Treasury Department $21,550,000,000 for emergency rental help in fiscal year 2021. That money is available to the Treasury until September 30, 2027. The law sets aside $305,000,000 for U.S. territories, $30,000,000 for Treasury’s program and technical support, $3,000,000 for the Treasury Inspector General’s oversight, and $2,500,000,000 for areas with high need. The rest is split among states and local governments using the same method as an earlier rental program, with a few changes (for example, using $152,000,000 in one step instead of $200,000,000). At least 40% of each grantee’s share had to be paid within 60 days after March 11, 2021. Grantees get more money in parts, but they must have obligated at least 75% of funds already given before getting more. Grantees must use the money mostly to help eligible renter households for up to 18 months. Help can pay current rent, past-due rent, utilities and utility arrears, and other housing costs the Secretary defines. No household can get more than 18 months of combined help from this and the related program. Up to 10% of a grantee’s funds may pay for case management and services, and up to 15% can pay administrative costs and reporting. If funds are still unobligated on October 1, 2022, grantees may use them for other affordable rental housing or eviction-prevention work for very low-income families, but only after 75% of the total allocation is already obligated. Starting March 31, 2022, the Treasury can reallocate unpaid amounts; to receive reallocated money a grantee must have obligated 50% of its allocation. Definitions: eligible grantee = states, D.C., local governments, and territories; eligible household = renters with COVID-related income loss, risk of homelessness, and low income; Inspector General = Treasury IG; Secretary = Secretary of the Treasury; unit of local government = as defined elsewhere. Funds paid to grantees remain available through September 30, 2025.