
The House of Representatives has joined the Senate in passing a sweeping $1.9 trillion relief package that includes more than $27.4 billion in rental assistance.
The House approved the American Rescue Plan Act on a party-line vote of 220-211 today, following the Senate’s sharply divided vote on Saturday. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the legislation later this week, giving him the first major legislative victory of his early presidency.
Praised by affordable housing advocates, the rental assistance includes $21.55 billion for emergency rental assistance funded through the Coronavirus Relief Fund; $5 billion for emergency housing vouchers; $750 million through the Native American Housing Block Grant, Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant, and Indian Community Development Block Grant programs; and $100 million to assist rural households living in U.S. Department of Agriculture-financed properties.
Other housing measures in the bill include $5 billion for homelessness assistance, $10 billion for homeowner assistance, $100 million for housing counseling through NeighborWorks America, and $20 million for fair housing activities, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
These programs add up to more than $42.5 billion for housing in the package. Plus, there’s additional funding for utility assistance and services for homeless youth.
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