Rental Assistance Call to Action
Dear Colleague:
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Treasury to encourage tenants and landlords to take advantage of emergency rental assistance available through the American Rescue Plan Act. The rental assistance will help cover rent, utilities, and other housing costs to keep residents in their homes.
We are asking all ACF grantees to encourage renters and landlords to take advantage of the relief available to them. Please help us spread the word: rental assistance is available. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has a new website (consumerfinance.gov/renthelp) that allows renters and landlords to find information on rental assistance in their area. The CFPB website offers resources in English and Spanish to help renters and landlords access additional financial assistance related to housing costs.
Many families need housing assistance to maintain stability. These resources can help them stay housed during these times of uncertainty.
The American Rescue Act Plan Act includes $4.5 billion in additional Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding to help families with low incomes afford home heating and cooling costs and meet unpaid electric and natural gas bills. ACF is also administering over $1 billion in funding to assist low income households with drinking water and wastewater bills through the newly established Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). Visit https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs for additional information.
Please share this information widely. Together, we can work to prevent evictions, which benefits both renters and landlords.
Administration for Children and Families
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