PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Nearly one in five renters have reported being behind on rent, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey. Black and Latino households are disproportionately affected, and they have experienced higher job losses during the coronavirus pandemic.
In Philadelphia, between 10,000 and 15,000 renters could soon receive help.
The American Rescue Plan will provide assistance for millions of people who have been unable to pay their rent and benefit the thousands of public housing residents who owe back rent.
“Over 4,000 of our residents owe over $5 million,” said Kelvin Jeremiah, CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
He said the American Rescue Plan allocated $300 million for housing authorities nationwide, and PHA will get a chunk of that. It also provides $25 billion for additional housing choice vouchers to subsidize rent for low-income Philadelphians.
“There are over 10,000 people on our waiting list that could avail themselves to that,” he said. “Help is on the way.”
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Third District U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans said the American Rescue Plan is a downpayment. The infrastructure plan laid out by President Joe Biden could include funding for housing authorities to invest in aging infrastructure.
PHA officials say the money is needed — the agency has more than $1.6 billion in deferred capital needs.