By AHO Staff on January 14th, 2021
On January 14, 2021, President-Elect Joe Biden released his “American Rescue Plan,” a proposed $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package that would help low-income renters in many ways, such as:
$30 billion of funds would go to emergency rental assistance programs. $5 billion of this amount is reserved to help struggling renters pay their utility bills.
Many Americans would receive a $1,400 stimulus check, as follow-up to the $600 check approved in the December relief package. Makes for a total stimulus of $2,000 per person. Payments will now include adult dependents (17+ years old) who were left out of earlier rounds. It will also include households with mixed immigration status. Earlier stimulus payments left out the U.S. citizen/legal resident spouses of undocumented immigrants.
A $400 per week federal unemployment boost is proposed, effective through the end of September, 2021. It would also extend the coverage for gig workers and self-employed workers, just as the previous relief bills have done.
The minimum wage is proposed to be increased to $15 per hour. Biden also proposes eliminating the decreased minimum wage for tipped and disabled workers.
The 15% increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be extended through the end of September. Also, $3 billion in additional funds would be used to help meet nutritional needs of women, infants and children. Additionally, $1 billion will be provided to territories for nutrition assistance.
$5 billion would be used to help state and local governments assist people experiencing homelessness.
Know your rights as a Section 8 tenant.
In many areas, private landlords with an available unit can refuse interested tenants who have a Section 8 voucher. Check your local laws.Montana Love says:
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