The House passed the “Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act” by a vote of 208-199 on the night of May 15. Introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on May 12, the “HEROES Act” is a $3 trillion relief bill to help the nation respond to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The bill proposes almost $200 billion in additional funding for housing and homelessness programs to help communities address the needs of low-income renters, homeowners, and people experiencing homelessness.
Thanks to the powerful and effective work of advocates across the country and the support of congressional champions, the proposal includes NLIHC’s top priorities, including $100 billion in emergency rental assistance through the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” (H.R. 6820/S. 3685); $11.5 billion in additional funding to prevent and respond to coronavirus outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness; and a national, uniform moratorium on evictions and foreclosures.
The bill includes $1 billion for the first year of funding for 100,000 new emergency housing vouchers targeted to people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness and people attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. In addition, the bill includes $5 billion for Community Development Block Grants, appropriates $300 million for rural rental assistance, and provides additional funding for public housing and other HUD housing providers to help cover increased rental costs and expenses incurred in responding to coronavirus.
This proposal is an important step forward, but more work lies ahead. NLIHC urges advocates to continue contacting their members of Congress and asking them to support the inclusion of these vital resources in a final relief package.
Read the press statement on the passage of the “HEROES Act” from NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel at: https://bit.ly/2WYpOA1
Read NLIHC’s full analysis of the “HEROES Act” at: https://bit.ly/3dOOzFx
Urge your senators and representative to cosponsor the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” at: https://sforce.co/2Z2SzOO
Show your organization’s support for the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” at: https://sforce.co/3bzMiwu
View the full text of the “HEROES Act” at: https://bit.ly/2yW3Khy