News

Latest COVID-19 Relief Bill Includes Emergency Housing Provisions

The latest COVID-19 Relief Bill was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The $900 billion COVID-relief package includes housing provisions such as $25 billion in emergency rental assistance and an extension of the CDC’s federal eviction moratorium through January 31st. The relief bill will provide essential and desperately needed protections for renters, tens of millions of whom would otherwise be at risk of losing their homes this winter. The updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tenant self-declaration form may be found here.

The United States Treasury Department has issued guidance on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.  Two points of interest in the summary include:

• A city or county with a population of 200,000+ will receive a share of the Commonwealth’s allotment (actual payments to states and municipalities yet to be determined).
• Submission of the payment form and signed acceptance of the award terms is due by 11:59 pm EDT on 1/12/21.

The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania has published recommendations for state and local governments working to get this critical rental assistance to the thousands of Pennsylvania households at risk of eviction for non-payment of rent. Information continues to be updated as it released.