Category: Editorial
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Arkansas renter group helps people keep their homes during the pandemic
An eviction intervention program in Arkansas is helping keep low-income renters from losing their homes. Led by Arkansas Renters United, the effort involves gathering eviction information online and using grassroots outreach to connect with renters in danger of eviction. Arkansas Renters United (ARU) is a project of Arkansas Community Organizations. ARU works to mobilize individuals…
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Some HUD residents still face eviction challenges during pandemic
While serving the most vulnerable people in our communities, some HUD Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) around the country have used the eviction process to push renters into paying back bills. Renters in federally assisted housing have been protected from eviction through most of the pandemic. The CDC eviction moratorium is in effect for low-and moderate…
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Biden’s FY22 budget increases housing opportunities for low-income renters
Last month, President Biden released a broad outline of his Fiscal Year 2022 budget. Last week, the president followed up with more details. The updated FY 2022 budget has specific amounts proposed for each federal program. This includes federal housing programs at HUD and USDA. President Biden’s annual spending proposal includes modest increases for most…
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Biden proposes big boost for low-income workers and families
President Biden proposed a new $1.8 trillion investment plan last month that will help low-income families with accessible education, direct household support, and tax cuts. The American Families Plan follows up on the $2 trillion American Jobs Plan, which proposed massive infrastructure and affordable housing investments. Although there are no affordable housing funds in the…
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Federal judge orders Los Angeles to provide housing to Skid Row homeless
A federal judge has ordered sweeping measures by the City and County of Los Angeles to address their homelessness crisis. Judge David O. Carter’s order also called for all homeless residents of the Skid Row area to be offered shelter or housing by October. Los Angeles has seen rising homelessness over the last several years.…
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Still waiting on your stimulus check? File your taxes
The easiest way to claim any of the Economic Impact Payments sent to Americans during the coronavirus pandemic is to file your 2020 federal taxes. The deadline to file your 2020 federal taxes was moved to May 17th this year, so you still have time. You don’t want to miss out. The three separate payments…
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HUD reverses Trump admin effort to exclude transgender people from shelters
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) withdrew a proposed rule recently that would have allowed shelter operators to discriminate against homeless transgender persons. Originally proposed during the Trump administration, it would have pushed more transgender people experiencing homelessness away from shelters and services. HUD’s announcement says that the previous administration’s proposed rule runs…
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Landlord screening practices can keep good tenants out
One of the big challenges low-income renters face when searching for new housing is the landlord screening process. A recent study breaks down which areas are important to landlords screening new tenants, and highlights the problems that disqualify good tenants. The Housing Justice Fund and Family Housing Fund in Minnesota published a study in March…
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Biden’s first budget proposes more money for affordable housing
President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request proposes significant increases for programs that serve low-income renters. After years of proposed cuts under the Trump administration, affordable housing programs are now getting support from the White House. The President is requesting $68.7 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in FY 2022. This…
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States are slow getting emergency rental assistance to desperate tenants
As the pandemic unfolded last spring, state and local governments had to scramble to help renters avoid eviction. State and local governments have used federal funding to create emergency rental assistance (ERA) programs, but many areas have been slow getting this assistance to low-income renters. Congress provided $25 billion for emergency rental assistance in December.…