Rental Assistance: Keeping Families Housed and Communities Stable

Rental assistance programs are a cornerstone of housing security for millions of households. These initiatives, such as the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, provide critical financial support for rent, utility payments, and housing stability services. By helping renters avoid eviction, these programs safeguard families from homelessness and its associated hardships.

The ERA program, for example, has delivered over $46 billion in aid, making more than 10 million payments to renters facing eviction. This support has been particularly impactful for low-income renters and communities of color, who are disproportionately affected by housing instability. By preventing evictions, rental assistance programs help keep children in their schools, workers in their jobs, and families connected to their communities.

The benefits go beyond individual households. Rental assistance stabilizes local economies by supporting landlords and maintaining the flow of rent payments, which in turn supports property maintenance and local services. Preventing evictions also reduces the strain on emergency shelters and social services, saving public resources.

In times of widespread economic disruption, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, rental assistance programs have proven essential for preventing a surge in homelessness and maintaining community stability. These programs are a key part of the nation's safety net, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance at safe and secure housing.