Hello John,

As our nation’s lowest-income renters as well as people who are experiencing homelessness continue to struggle immensely to meet their housing needs, the House Financial Services Committee will vote this week on another critical COVID proposal designed to assist those who require the most support during the pandemic. 

The bill, introduced by House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), calls for $40 billion in COVID relief for renters, people who are homeless, and homeowners, as part of a full COVID relief package that Congress and the White House are expected to enact by mid-March. The bill would help prevent millions of low-income people from losing their homes during the pandemic as well as provide cities and states with the resources to safely house those who are experiencing homelessness, before and after the pandemic. 

Specifically, the bill provides: 

• $19.05 billion for emergency rental assistance (ERA); 
• $5 billion for emergency housing vouchers; 
• $750 million for tribal housing needs;
• $100 million for rural housing;
• $5 billion to assist people who are homeless with immediate and longer-term assistance; 
• $9.96 billion for homeowner assistance; and 
• $100 million for housing counseling. 

Additionally, the Education and Labor Committee’s relief bill may provide an additional $5 billion in utility assistance. (Thank you to our national partner, The National Low Income Housing Coalition, for the bill analysis.)

If passed, this bill would provide essential relief for low income renters and others who are disproportionately suffering from the pandemic, helping to ensure that millions can stay or become housed. While this bill offers critical support during a national emergency, our neighbors and communities still need even more assistance to survive the pandemic. This is why NPH will continue to track this and future federal housing legislation, pushing for more housing investments in future relief bills so that we can continue to build more desperately needed affordable homes.

Also, stay in the know on all our legislative work and help shape NPH policy priorities by joining our Legislative Issues Working Group today.

As we continue to advocate for bigger and bolder COVID relief, your support strengthens and sustains our work. Stay tuned for more on our federal efforts as well as future advocacy opportunities.

In Solidarity,

Pedro Galvao,
NPH Policy Director