The American Rescue Plan: Expanding Access to Housing — Treasury, September 2024

Summary

This U.S. Department of the Treasury document, titled The American Rescue Plan: Expanding Access to Housing and dated September 2024, says the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) and Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) programs kept Americans in their homes during the pandemic. It says governments are investing nearly $20 billion in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for housing-related uses and that more than 3,300 new housing projects have been funded under the American Rescue Plan. It states that the ERA programs have collectively provided communities over $40 billion, used to make over 10 million payments to renters at risk of eviction, and that the HAF provided over $7 billion to homeowners, assisting more than 500,000 homeowners to date. The document then gives local examples of assistance recipients.

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Issuer: Congressional materials
Document type: Department Of The Treasury Housing Stability For Eligible Renters Home Treasury Gov 31060A
Case: Department Of The Treasury Housing Stability For Eligible Renters Home Treasury Gov 31060Afbb5

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“The American Rescue Plan: Expanding Access to Housing — Treasury, September 2024.” Original at home.treasury.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/department-of-the-treasury-housing-stability-for-eligible-renters-home-treasury-gov-31060afbb5/, SHA-256 fdc5c12965b7b03dc24eaf3d3c922e7f2a04abaea0d82bb8d2388ab08bec9f4a.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN:
EXPANDING ACCESS
TO HOUSING

September 2024
The American Rescue Plan Act is providing support to families across the country to help access stable and affordable housing.
During the depths of the pandemic, the Treasury Department’s Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) and Homeowners Assistance
Fund (HAF) programs kept Americans in their homes, provided assistance to American households at risk of eviction or
foreclosure.

These housing investments not only resulted in a rapid economic recovery, but also laid the foundation for durable economic
prosperity. Governments across the country are investing nearly $20 billion in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF),
made available under the American Rescue Plan, for housing-related uses, including creating, rehabilitating, and preserving
tens of thousands of homes and further investing in housing stability programs. By increasing the overall supply of housing and
housing stability of families, these investments are lowering housing costs for all Americans.

The examples discussed here are just a small fraction of the more than 3,300 new housing projects across the country funded
under the American Rescue Plan. They represent a few of the stories of Americans who benefited from the Biden-Harris
Administration’s efforts to ensure that everyone has access to an affordable home.

Keeping Americans in their Homes
During the Great Recession, more than 4 million Americans lost their homes to foreclosure. But the decisive actions of the
Biden-Harris Administration prevented this devastation from reoccurring during the pandemic and kept Americans in their
homes. Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) programs have collectively provided communities over $40 billion, which
governments have used to make over 10 million payments to renters at risk of eviction. The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)
provided over $7 billion to homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments, assisting more than 500,000 homeowners
to date.

Durham, North Carolina Homeowner Assistance
Latoya A. is a homeowner in Durham County, NC. She had dreamed of purchasing a larger home for her family, but when the
pandemic hit, she was laid off and fell behind on her mortgage payments for her current home. She eventually received a
notification from her mortgage lender that they
would not continue to accept her partial mortgage
payments and would move towards foreclosure on “After COVID we fell behind and didn’t
her home.
see a way we could get caught back up.
It was at this point that Latoya learned of North
(Nevada’s HAF Program) was our last
Carolina’s Homeowners Assistance Fund and hope, they were the missing piece of the
completed a pre-application. Exactly one day puzzle. There was a light at the end of
after she was notified of the foreclosure, the state this dark tunnel thanks to this program.
program emailed her that her application was
Thank you, more than you know.”
approved. Because of the HAF assistance, Latoya’s
mortgage was reinstated. Latoya and her family - HAF Testimonial: Homeowner in Nevada
have since started their own business and are
continuing to work towards their dream of buying a
larger home.

ARP HOUSING INVESTMENT IMPACT STORIES
Latoya was just one of the 18,000 eligible homeowners in the
“The thought of losing my home has state of North Carolina that received a total of $244 million
caused me insomnia, depression, in assistance to cover mortgages, property tax payments
and anxiety. I can’t thank you and homeowners’ insurance. The success of North Carolina’s
program was, in part, the result of the state’s efforts to
enough. Thank you, thank you, proactively conduct outreach and adjust the administration
thank you.” of their program to meet the needs of their residents. Of the
- HAF Testimonial: Homeowner in Philadelphia, PA homeowners assisted, nearly 13,000 (approximately 70%)
identified as socially disadvantaged individuals and 97% had
incomes below the Area Median Income.

State of Kansas Homeowner Assistance
Kansas’ HAF program moved quickly to support homeowners
“Things were tough. Like many others
at risk of foreclosure and displacement related to the during the pandemic, I lost employment.
COVID-19 pandemic. Kansas’ HAF program had strong My wife lost her job as well around the
communications with homeowners, housing counselors, and same time as me, so that added to the
legal aid services in the state, supporting rapid use of HAF feeling of more stress. I applied (for
funds. By March of 2023, Kansas’ HAF program had spent most rental assistance) in September and got
of its funds to help over 4,300 homeowners in the state to
approved in October and then the check
get back on their feet by assisting with delinquent mortgage
payments, unpaid utility payments, property tax payment
was processed in November. It was a
assistance, and other essential housing costs. Over 90% quick turnaround, which I am so grateful
of households supported with HAF assistance had low-to- for...instead of just applying for rental
moderate incomes and the program reached families from at assistance, I clicked on the agency’s career
least 98 of the 105 counties in Kansas. page to apply to work with them. I not
only received rental assistance, but that
Gwinnett County, Georgia Rental
exact same agency — a few months later
Assistance
In April 2021, Gwinnett County utilized Emergency Rental
— hired me. I am now able to assist others
Assistance funds to launch the Project RESET 2.0 (PR 2.0) who are in similar situations to those that
program to provide rental assistance and promote housing were once like me during the pandemic. I
stability throughout the jurisdiction. am going back to school now. I would not
have.”
PR2.0 utilized over $66.9 million in ERA1 and over $25.5
million in ERA2 funding to ensure that 24,768 individuals in - ERA Testimonial: Jerry from Dallas
Gwinnett County did not have to face an eviction or utility
disconnection.

Gwinnett County took concrete steps to ensure that ERA funds reached its residents who most needed it. They distributed
information in monthly newsletters and mailers (including water bills), and in partnership with community organizations such
as the school system, library system, hospital system, Gwinnett Chamber, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations. These steps
were critical to reaching approximately one in forty Gwinnett County residents, keeping those individuals in their homes and
ensuring the lights remained on.

ARP HOUSING INVESTMENT IMPACT STORIES
Minnesota Rental Assistance
At least 52,000 households across Minnesota have received funds under the ERA program. Seven jurisdictions across the state
have expended $493.6M in ERA funds. Under the ERA2 program, 69 percent of funds have assisted households with incomes
below 30 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). The State of Minnesota continues to support renters through collaborative
eviction prevention efforts with the state’s judicial districts, legal aid, and courts.

Across the state, ERA programs worked collaboratively to find the renters most at risk of eviction through a high-touch outreach
strategy designed to reach households most in need of assistance. As noted in the State of Minnesota’s reporting to Treasury,
“For this program to be effective, it must be
equitable and human-centered so that no
“I had a medical emergency that put me behind one is left behind. We have been intentional
in my rent. I tried to catch up but with the in developing strategies to reach all corners
enormous late fees that kept being added, I was of the state and those who may face greater
barriers to program access.”
peddling backwards. I came across this agency
and they were a blessing! Kind, compassionate, Programs in Minnesota paid special attention
and a true lifesaver in my time of need. When I to reaching populations least likely to
felt abandoned, scared, and backed against a apply for ERA assistance, or that might
wall, they gave me faith in humanity. I am so have trouble accessing the application
system. They worked with field partners to
grateful, words cannot express. I cannot thank
provide one-on-one navigation assistance,
them enough.” including community-based organizations
- ERA Testimonial: Renter in Pittsburgh, PA with expertise engaging seniors, people with
disabilities, those with limited technical
capacity, and those who speak a language
other than English.

Community processors paid special attention to incomplete applications to ensure that renters with barriers could still access
assistance. Through a coordinated effort to reach landlords, they reached many renters who otherwise may not have started
applications on their own but for their landlord initiating the process. And programs in Minnesota recruited trusted individuals
from within communities to spread the word about their ERA programs using a plain language outreach tool-kit (available in
several languages).

ARP HOUSING INVESTMENT IMPACT STORIES
The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Rental Assistance
Brandon B. was thousands of dollars behind in rent, had nearly $2,000 in unpaid electrical bills and was on the precipice of
eviction. By applying to Kentucky’s Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund (HHERF), he was able to pay all these expenses off and
prevent his family from becoming homeless. Throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky, over $490 million in ERA funds have
been spent to help families like Brandon’s.

Kentucky was successful in distributing rental assistance
by adapting to meet the needs of its residents. HHERF was “The KY eviction diversion program
among the first ERA programs in the country to streamline has been a great asset to our eviction
the application process and reduce documentation burdens
caseload in Hardin County. Eligible
for the communities at the highest risk of housing instability.
Subsequent studies have shown that these innovative
tenants can remain housed or locate
approaches taken by the Commonwealth resulted in the alternative housing and get additional
approval of up to 9,500 applications for assistance. resources, if they need them, which is
a great resource! Bringing it close to
Across the state, ERA funds have supported in-court eviction
home is a welcome benefit.”
diversion services in counties with high eviction rates. These
funds have helped tenants remain housed, helped landlords - ERA Testimonial: Judge Shumate, Hardin County, KY
recoup rental arears, and provided viable solutions for many
tenants who would have otherwise been evicted due to non-
payment.

A major factor in Kentucky’s success was also the collaboration amongst HHERF and the two other grantees within the
Commonwealth. This coordination allowed funds to best serve the unique housing needs of different parts of Kentucky, including
rural areas that are less populated and urban areas with high need. For example, since 2021, the City of Louisville has used ERA
funding to help implement a right to counsel program for tenants with children who are facing eviction. To aid tenants who “self-
evict,” moving when they receive an eviction notice, the city has put in place a rapid-rehousing program that provides a rental
deposit and first month’s rent to help people relocate.

To view a short film created by
Mecklenburg County and Charlottesville,
North Carolina’s ERA programs, scan this
QR code.

ARP HOUSING INVESTMENT IMPACT STORIES
Creating New Homes
The State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program provided $350 billion to governments across the country to respond
to the impacts of the pandemic and serve the needs of their communities. Governments have budgeted nearly $20 billion for
housing-related uses, including more than $7.5 billion to construct, preserve, or stabilize tens of thousands of homes across the
country.

Pennsylvania’s Investments in Mixed-Income Housing
Thirty-one percent of Pennsylvania’s population is composed of renters, and many are burdened by high housing costs. When
Pennsylvania received funds under the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, the Commonwealth saw an
opportunity to increase the development of affordable rental units in the Commonwealth. Through the Development Cost Relief
Program—and its predecessor, the Construction Cost Relief Program—the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency has dedicated
$200 million in SLFRF funds to fund over 95 affordable housing developments. Collectively, these projects will develop an
estimated 5,405 new housing units.

In Coatesville, Pennsylvania, the first phase of the new mixed-income community of Willows at Valley Run will offer 60 new
apartments for residents of varying incomes. Eighteen three-bedroom apartments will provide housing for working families.
One new resident of the facility is a mother of three children who spent an extended period in a women’s shelter, facing down
the prospect of homelessness. Thanks to the nearly $1.4 million the Commonwealth invested in the project, the development
was completed and the mother and her children were approved for housing in the nick of time. Willows at Valley Run is also
providing housing to a grandfather who recently gained custody of his two-year-old granddaughter, and a father and daughter
who previously lived together in a cramped spare bedroom at a friend’s house. The new housing is providing two-bedroom units
for these children and their families.

Located in the Fairhill Neighborhood of North Philadelphia, the new Rafael Porrata-Doria Place apartments offer 63 units,
including 30 units for residents 55 years and older to age in place. Rising construction costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic
threatened the viability of the project, but the Commonwealth invested SLFRF funds to ensure that the project could be
completed. One resident of the apartment complex is intellectually disabled; her parents were not able to care for her, and she
was previously living in a shared facility. The
tenant wanted the opportunity to have her own
sense of place. By moving into Rafael Porrata-
Doria Place, she has had the opportunity to
become more independent in a supportive
environment.

Renderings of three of the more than 95 affordable housing developments funded through
Pennsylvania’s Development Cost Relief Program and its predecessor program. Clockwise from
top: Evergreen Heights, a 40-unit senior housing facility in State College, PA; and 800 Vine Senior,
a 41-unit senior housing facility in Philadelphia, PA; and Cedarwood Homes, a group of 46
townhouse-style apartments in Pittsburgh, PA.

ARP HOUSING INVESTMENT IMPACT STORIES
Reno, Nevada Support for Homeless Veterans
On August 15, 2024, the city of Reno, Nevada celebrated the opening of a new permanent supportive housing facility for veterans
in its community. The two stucco buildings at 1035 8th Street make up the Dick Scott Manor, which will provide housing for up to
24 veterans who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. The buildings are two blocks away
from the Washoe County Senior Center, and close to public transportation and the local grocery store, pharmacy, and hospital. All
the residents of the Dick Scott Manor will receive case management services through the VA, enabling them to access healthcare
and other critical resources.

The project was made possible by the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds received by the City of Reno, which dedicated $3
million of its funds to the project.

On the occasion of the ribbon cutting for the facility, Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen said, “Our veterans bravely served our nation,
and we all have a responsibility to ensure they have everything they need. Dick Scott Manor will provide new, affordable housing
for veterans in Reno, and I’m proud to have helped pass the legislation that made funding for this project possible.”

Ribbon cutting ceremony for the Dick Scott Manor Project.

ARP HOUSING INVESTMENT IMPACT STORIES
Michigan’s Investments in Middle-Class Housing
“Every Michigander deserves a safe, affordable place to call home,” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said standing at Zone
32, a new housing development and childcare center in Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood. “That’s why we are taking action
to make the largest investment to build housing in Michigan history. Today’s project in Kalamazoo will expand the supply of
housing and childcare, building on our efforts to lower costs and boost access to both.”

The Kalamazoo project is one
of dozens of new housing
projects across the state that
were made possible through
the American Rescue Plan.
Through the Missing Middle
Housing Program, Michigan
has budgeted $110 million
to construct or rehabilitate
homes serving middle-class
Michiganders across the state.
From single-family homes
in rural areas to apartment
buildings in Michigan’s largest
cities, the program is leveraging
funds from the American Rescue
Plan to serve Michigan’s housing
needs. In total, the Missing
Middle Housing Program will
add nearly 1,500 homes for middle-class working Michiganders. Michigan State Housing Development
Authority video on Eaton Village Project:
In Eaton Rapids, a local builder took inspiration from early 20th Eaton Village Groundbreaking.
century “pocket neighborhoods” to create Eaton Village, a group
of ten single-family rental homes with a central green space
intended to foster a stronger sense of community. The project received $800,000 from the Missing Middle Housing Program. In
Lansing, the program supported the construction of twenty-four new energy efficient apartment units at the former site of the
REO Motor Car Company.

Michigan’s investments aren’t just supporting new housing, but other critical community needs. In Kalamazoo, Zone 32 was built
in connection with a new YMCA Early Childhood Center and offers rents beginning at $850 per month for a studio apartment.
Northside residents get priority enrollment for childcare. As one Kalamazoo resident told a reporter: “There wasn’t a day care
anywhere” on the Northside. “We are very learning-focused family ... it’s so awesome to have this so close and in an area where
it’s accessible.” In addition to their investments in new housing, recipient governments have budgeted more than $1.3 billion in
recovery funds for childcare and early learning projects. Michigan’s efforts show how these efforts have been combined to lower
both housing and childcare costs for American families.

ARP HOUSING INVESTMENT IMPACT STORIES
Lowering Housing Costs in California
The State of California is investing $1.75 billion in SLFRF funds as development capital for “shovel-ready” affordable housing
developments, preservation of existing affordable housing at risk of conversion to market-rate housing or in need of significant
repairs, and development of additional adult and senior care facilities. The State is also seeking to develop state-owned land into
affordable housing.

In addition to expanding affordable housing supply overall, the State is also making a major investment to purchase and
rehabilitate housing specifically for individuals facing homelessness, including rehabilitating hotels, motels, vacant apartment
buildings, and other buildings and converting them into housing.

Other jurisdictions in California are engaged in complementary efforts to build new housing. Los Angeles County is investing
$173 million as part of the State of California’s Homekey program to create new interim and permanent supportive housing for
individuals and families with complex health or behavioral health conditions who are experiencing homelessness by acquiring
hotels, motels, and apartment complexes. And Perris City, California, is using SLFRF funds to help struggling homeowners pay
their mortgage costs and keep their homes.

Utah’s Work to Address Zoning Roadblocks
The State of Utah is using SLFRF funds to incentivize zoning changes to permit more and denser development of affordable
housing. The state is using $35 million in SLFRF funds for a matching grant program. The program creates incentives for
municipalities to redevelop and rezone current commercial, retail, or industrial vacant land to a zone to allow higher density
housing as a permitted use. The State of Utah has budgeted an additional $85 million for grants for development, land costs, and
construction of new affordable apartment buildings that are in advanced stages of development.

In addition, Salt Lake County, Utah, is using $20 million in SLFRF funds to increase and preserve access to safe affordable rental
housing and home ownership. In particular, homeownership programs are seeking to connect low-income households with
opportunities to build future equity.

ARP HOUSING INVESTMENT IMPACT STORIES
ARP HOUSING INVESTMENT IMPACT STORIES

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