An online tool aimed at helping renters and landlords affected by the COVID-19 pandemic find and apply for payment or assistance for rent, utilities, and other expenses was unveiled Wednesday by the federal agency charged with consumer financial protection.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) said the new “rental assistance finder” connects renters and landlords with the state and local programs that are distributing billions of dollars in federal assistance nationwide to help renters stay housed during the pandemic. The bureau noted that more than $46 billion has been allocated by the federal government to assist households unable to pay housing costs and that all 50 states and hundreds of local, tribal, and other programs are distributing funds. The rental assistance finder connects renters and landlords with these programs, it said.
The CFPB said its analysis of data from the Census Household Pulse Survey from June 23 – July 5 showed that 16% of adults living in households who rent said they are behind on their payments. Of adults living in households behind on rent, 49%, or approximately 3.6 million, said eviction in the next two months was somewhat or very likely.
The CFPB also pointed to another website – consumerfinance.gov/housing – created with Departments of Treasury, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, that serves as the federal government’s one-stop, go-to resource for latest information for renters and landlords on relief options, protections, and key deadlines.
CFPB Releases Online Tool to Help Renters and Landlords Access Federal Assistance