NLIHC released two study briefs on March 12 illustrating how emergency rental assistance programs incorporate racial equity in their program design to effectively serve extremely low-income households. The case studies feature the Santa Clara County (CA) Homelessness Prevention System, led by Destination: Home, and Sacred Heart Community Service, and the State of Washington's Eviction Rent Assistance program.
NLIHC interviewed administrators from the two programs representing two distinct structures: one community-based program and one statewide program. Each case study provides a quick overview of the program and key strategies adopted by program administrators to prioritize the most vulnerable tenants. They highlight how critical partnerships with community organizations, flexible program design, and above all an intent to address inequities in housing services provided to marginalized populations guided administrators as they developed their program. The case studies illustrate how administrators intend to modify and improve their programs for the next round of emergency rental assistance. Administrators from both programs discussed their strategies on a recent NLIHC webinar.
The case of the Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System is available at: https://bit.ly/3qFq8Ar
The case of the State of Washington's Eviction Rent Assistance program is available at: https://bit.ly/3tedpqm