Photo Credit: Sealy j, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The U.S. Department of the Treasury today posted a list of state and local governments that will receive grants through the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. The ERA program is part of the fiscal year 2021 spending legislation and will provide $25 billion to assist renters in paying unpaid rent and utilities. The list of grantees released by Treasury includes states and grantees within the states. Awards range from $2.6 billion for California communities to the minimum of $200 million for 17 states and the District of Columbia. Grantees must expend at least 90% of their funds on rent, rental arrears, utilities/home energy costs and utilities/home energy costs arrears. This assistance can last up to 12 months with an additional three months if necessary to ensure housing stability.