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The first of the month is coming up again. This will be the fourth time since the coronavirus pandemic began that millions of people who have lost work will worry about how to pay the rent — or about how much debt is piling up because they aren’t able to. While the simplest, fairest answer to this problem would be to subsidize rent and mortgage payments for all until the end of the pandemic, no state or city government has yet to take this step. Here’s what they’ve done instead: For those who live in federally backed rental units or whose mortgages are funded by the federal government, evictions and foreclosures are halted through July 28, per the CARES Act. It’s estimated that about 30% of the rental properties in the country are federally backed; to find out if your building is one of them, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have lookup tools available online. In New York, Gov. Cuomo signed legislation on June 17 that will put $100 million into a voucher program designed to provide rental assistance to people who pay more than 30% of their income in rent, make less than 80% of their area’s median income ($60,000 in NYC, according to Census data), and have lost income between April 1 and July 31. The state has not yet provided any guidance on how renters will be able to apply for these vouchers. We’ll keep members updated when they do. New Jersey has instituted a similar program, providing up to six months of rent funding for households whose household income is at or below a set limit for their county, pay 30% or more of their income in rent, and have experienced a loss of income since the beginning of the pandemic. Enrollment for this program will be open July 6-10; find your county’s income cap and submit your application here. In California, evictions are frozen statewide until July 28, and a rent relief bill is currently pending in the legislature. Some cities have instituted their own measures, including San Jose (where rent increases are stopped and tenants have until December 31 to pay back rent without threat of eviction), and Los Angeles, which just announced a $100 million voucher program. The program will provide up to $2,000 ($1,000 per month for two months) in rent assistance to those making less than 80% of the area median income (AMI) who can prove they have been directly impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Application information for this program is not yet available. Illinois, meanwhile, just passed its own major relief bill, which includes $396 million to provide rent funding and mortgage relief for homeowners. To qualify for a $5,000 rent stipend, renters must make 50% or less of AMI and be able to prove they have suffered economic hardship as a result of the pandemic. The program is expected to open in August. Evictions are also halted statewide until July 31. At the federal level, the HEROES Act, the second major stimulus package passed by Congress, contains $100 billion for a rental assistance program that would provide funds for rent and rent-related costs (like utility bills) to people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. That bill has been sitting in the Senate since it was passed on May 15, held by the Republican majority who have been claiming a second stimulus package would not be necessary. Have you taken 15 minutes to participate in our member survey yet? We've partnered with a team of researchers to help expand the understanding of freelance work and get a better picture of the Freelancers Union membership. Your participation will help us better advocate for freelancers on issues like COVID-19 relief programs. Click here to begin the survey. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/06/29/rent-relief-whats-available-now/
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AuthorI have 5+ years experience working as a medical transcriptionist. When I am not working, I enjoy sports like playing basketball or judo. I love making friends and connections. Archives
April 2023
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