CORONAVIRUS: Housing Protections to Keep People in Their Homes

The American Rescue Plan includes critical aid for renters and homeowners to ensure families can remain stably housed during the pandemic. This includes more than $21.5 billion for emergency rental assistance, nearly $10 billion for homeowner assistance, $5 billion for emergency housing vouchers for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, $5 billion for homelessness assistance and supportive services, and other critical housing support.

Emergency rental assistance is available for up to 12 months for eligible households, including households that qualify for unemployment, have experienced a reduction in household income due to COVID-19, are at risk of homelessness, or have a household income below 80% of the area median. Information on applying for assistance is available here.

Homeowner assistance is available to homeowners to pay for qualified mortgage and housing expenses, including payment assistance for mortgage payments and utilities. Information on additional forbearance and foreclosure protections for homeowners is available here.

On August 3, 2021, the CDC issued a new eviction moratorium in counties with heightened levels of community transmission, which lasts through October 3, 2021. Renters are required to submit a signed declaration to their landlord. Learn more about the eviction moratorium and who is eligible for protection here.