Housing advocates in Puerto Rico successfully advocated passage of disaster housing recovery legislation and emergency rental assistance during their most recent state legislative session. At the beginning of 2021, Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico (Ayuda Legal PR), a non-profit organization in Puerto Rico that provides legal assistance to low-income individuals, introduced its first bill by petition, House Bill 488 (PC 488)/Senate Bill 199 (PS 199). Previously, Puerto Rico tenants and homeowners had few protections during and after a disaster. The legislation would be the first of its kind in Puerto Rico to acknowledge that housing is a human right and entitle disaster victims to fair and equitable housing recovery resources.
PC 488/PS 199 is comprised of three main components that aim to protect homeowners and renters after a disaster. The legislation bans evictions and foreclosures on public and private housing and residential mortgages during and after a disaster. It would place a moratorium on rent and mortgage payments for up to 90 days after a major disaster or emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The also provides protections for renters and homeowners that experience rights violations by homeowners and banks, such as intimidation tactics used to take away someone from their home during a disaster. While the bill includes language specific to the needs of Puerto Rico, the legislation could be a model for other U.S. states and territories that struggle with housing recovery after disasters.
During Puerto Rico’s last legislative session, Ayuda Legal PR’s advocacy played a big role in both the chambers of Puerto Rico’s legislature approving the legislation. While Governor Pedro Pierluisi did not sign the legislation during this session he is expected to do so during the next legislative session, which begins on August 16.
In addition to the advocacy around PC 488/PS 199, Ayuda Legal PR had successfully advocated the opening of Puerto Rico’s rental assistance program. Because of this important advocacy work, the Puerto Rican government requested $325 million in federal funds for rental assistance, which will help many tenants in economic crisis. This assistance will include back rent and past due electricity and water expenses as far back as April 2020 or up to 15 months; current rent until December 2021 without exceeding 15 months of rent; and reasonable expenses for surcharges due to arrears for the months eligible for payment of back rent.
Access more information about Puerto Rico’s rental assistance program at: http://www.ayudaparaturenta.com
To follow Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico’s advocacy efforts, visit: ayudalegalpr.org