Black Voices

Rental Assistance is Slow to Arrive as Eviction Threat Looms


Rental Assistance is Slow to Arrive as Eviction Threat Looms

Renters across the country may soon face eviction now that the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down the Biden administration’s extension of the eviction moratorium.

The high court’s decision comes as reports show that only 11% of federal rental assistance dollars have been distributed nationwide — though in Cook County, $60 million of the $73 million in Emergency Rental Assistance funds have been distributed.

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Some advocates don’t think the remaining $13 million will be enough to assist those in need.

“I think that we need additional funding,” said Mikita Lee, the North Lawndale program coordinator with Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago. “There are definitely people who have not received it and there are still people constantly applying to get this fund.”

Seneca Oaddams is a board member at Communities United, an organization that focuses on preventing the displacement of low-income families. He’s been helping people in Roseland apply for rental assistance and says a technology gap is creating challenges for applicants, who have to upload documents, work with PDF files and deal with cellphones and computers.

Lee says NHS can assist applicants with the technological aspects of applying. Renters seeking assistance can make an appointment for guidance in the process, and they can find out more on the NHS website or by calling the NHS Emergency Assistance Grant Hotline at 800-831-7949.


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