‘An epidemic in itself’: Why billions of federal aid isn’t making it to renters, landlords during pandemic
“The snail’s pace delivery of the rental assistance has put many renters at risk of losing their homes, said Ingrid Gould Ellen, a New York University professor who has studied emergency rental assistance programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of six renters is estimated to be behind on their rent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey.
“But it’s not just tenants,” Ellen said. “Many landlords – especially small mom-and-pop landlords – are also financially vulnerable. In the absence of financial assistance to cover back rent, such small landlords may need to cut back on repairs and maintenance or miss mortgage or property tax payments.”