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For Immediate Release
August 10, 2020
Washington, D.C. (August 10, 2020) – Council of Large Public Housing Authorities Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement imploring Congress to include rental assistance in the next COVID stimulus package:
"As negotiations progress on the latest COVID relief stimulus package, lawmakers must prioritize rental assistance to prevent an unprecedented wave of homelessness. Millions of the nation’s renters face eviction with the moratorium expiring. While extending the moratorium is critical, it does not address the financial cliff that renters and landlords are facing. Those most at risk are renters who do not currently receive direct rental assistance, which includes most low-income households and many essential workers. Rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher program provides immediate relief for not only tenants, but also landlords, especially smaller landlords. Even one missed rental payment can force landlords into a dire financial situation, which reverberates in local economies. Rental assistance protects tenants, landlords and local communities. For these reasons, CLPHA urges Congressional negotiators to include rental assistance in this COVID stimulus package."
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities is a national non-profit organization that works to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis and public education. CLPHA’s 70 members represent virtually every major metropolitan area in the country. Together they manage 40 percent of the nation’s public housing program; administer more than a quarter of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org and on Twitter @CLPHA and follow @housing_is for news on CLPHA’s work to better intersect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.