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With national eviction ban over, how to apply for rental assistance


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Now that struggling renters are no longer protected by a national ban on evictions, it has become even more pressing for those households to get approved for federal rental assistance.

Congress has allocated more than $45 billion in rental assistance to address the crisis hitting tenants and their landlords, but the money has been painfully slow to reach families. Seven months after those funds were approved, 16 states have apparently spent less than 5% of their share.

“That number has barely budged since March, which tells us all we need to know about the unacceptably slow pace of spending by many states and cities,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

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Advocates blame the snail-paced rollout of the funds on complicated and difficult applications and short-staffing across the hundreds of organizations tasked with giving out the aid. Still, they say renters should not give up on getting the help, which can help them avoid an eviction.

Just applying can help you stay in your home longer.

In at least five states, those who’ve put in an application but haven’t received the funding yet are entitled to some protection from being pushed out of their homes. Those states are Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington state. Some of these policies offer renters a lot more time. Those with a pending application for federal rental assistance in Minnesota, for example, can’t be evicted until June 2022.

Here’s what they need to know about accessing the relief.

How do I apply?

The National Low Income Housing Coalition has a state-by-state list of the 493 programs 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?

To be eligible for the funding, 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 level for 2020 can’t exceed 80% of your area’s median income, although 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.

Some state and local programs have set additional priorities, and you may want to search for those.

For example, one fund in California is targeting the relief at Native American households. Another in Oklahoma is sending the money out first to those over the age of 62.

How much could I get?

You could receive up to 18 months of assistance, including a mix of payments for back and future rent.

If you’ve already been approved for rental funds but continue…



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With national eviction ban over, how to apply for rental assistance