As families across the country struggle to make ends meet, the high cost of rent can put tenants at risk of losing their homes and leave landlords struggling to pay their bills. The rental assistance we passed last Congress was critical to keeping people in their homes at the height of the pandemic, including nearly 50,000 households right here in Connecticut.  

Eviction Prevention Fund

Prices have still not come down to where they were before the pandemic, and that is why I joined with Governor Lamont and the entire Congressional delegation to announce the Eviction Prevention Fund. With federal funding we secured in Congress, renters with past due rent are eligible for up to $5,000 in relief to pay off their landlords. To apply, please call the UniteCT Call Center at 1-844-864-8328.

Increasing Fairness in the Rental Market 

President Biden announced new federal actions to increase fairness in the rental market this week:

• The Department of Housing and Urban Development will require public housing authorities to provide at least 30 days’ notice before terminating a lease due to nonpayment of rent. 
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will issue guidance to ensure accurate credit reporting information and hold background check companies accountable for unfair procedures. 
• The Biden Administration has announced the Resident-Centered Housing Challenge, working with state agencies and private organizations across the country to improve services available to renters, including eliminating hidden fees and offering alternatives to eviction. 

These actions will go a long way to both offer financial relief to renters & landlords while also reforming unfair practices that create barriers for Americans to access the rental market. I will continue my efforts in Washington to lower costs for families during these difficult times.  

To follow what I’m working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram.     

Regards,

John B. Larson
Member of Congress