On Wednesday, January 13, GFOA submitted feedback and recommendations to the Department of Treasury regarding the Emergency Rental Assistance program. The program, established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, provides $25 billion to States, the District of Columbia, local governments (population over 200,000), U.S. Territories and Indian tribes for assisting eligible households through existing or new rental assistance programs.

While information on the program has been informative and timely, GFOA urges the Treasury to provide grantees with completed guidance as soon as possible and expand the program’s flexibility to accommodate its 12-month run.

GFOA will continue advocating for additional flexibility for state and local governments during this critical time.

• Publication date: January 2021