Millions of struggling tenants are likely to be protected from deportation – at least for another month.
The stimulus proposal, passed by Congress late Monday night, would extend a national ban on postponements until 31 January. The package would also provide $ 25 billion in relief assistance. But the relief proposal still needs to be signed by President Trump.
But if the package is reviewed, none of the measures are likely to be enough to keep the most vulnerable tenants in their homes after January.
Struggling to stay afloat
Kelly Green, who lives in an apartment at $ 1,429 per person. Month in Daytona Beach, Florida, has not been able to pay rent since September.
“The only reason I have a roof over my head is because of the moratorium on deferral,” Green said.
Green makes a living from its sale of rhinestone and sequined biker clothing at motorcycle rallies and other festivals.
After the closure in March, there were no festivals, no events, and she had no income. Still, she grumbled about her savings, incentive payments, rent and unemployment insurance payments and managed to get ongoing pay during July. But she did not know how she would end it after the $ 600-a-week supplementary unemployment benefit ended.
Green heard about a coronavirus-related rent fund offered by Volusia County, where she lives. She applied for help and was awarded $ 4,500 for three months rent.
But there was a pick: The Volusia County rental program requires renters to be current in rent from March 13, 2020. Green was behind on her rent in February, and as a result, her apartment complex would not accept the subsidy. .
Without this money, Green could not pay full rent in October, November or December. And when she late set up her lease in November, she now has a month-to-month lease that is $ 500 more expensive per month.
“Even if the moratorium is extended, money will accumulate against me,” she said. “What would help me the most is if I receive a check for rental help for three months that they take it.”
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