INSIGHTi
COVID-19: Financial Relief and Assistance
Resources for Renters
September 10, 2020
This Insight highlights resources from selected federal agencies and other organizations that may aid
renters at risk of eviction due to circumstances related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic. These resources provide information on COVID-19 related renter protections and resources at
federal, state, and local levels.
Renter Protections at the Federal Level
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) provided a
temporary moratorium on eviction filings for nonpayment of rent against renters residing in federal y
assisted properties or properties with federal y backed mortgages. This moratorium went into effect upon
enactment of the CARES Act on March 27, 2020, and lasted for 120 days (through July 24, 2020).
Landlords were required to provide at least 30 days’ notice before renters had to vacate the property (not
before August 23, 2020). Additional y, the CARES Act contained mortgage relief provisions for
properties with federal y backed mortgages, including the availability of mortgage forbearance. Property
owners with federal y backed multifamily mortgages that receive forbearance are required to abide by
certain protections for renters for the duration of the forbearance. Multifamily mortgages are mortgages
on properties with five or more housing units.
For an analysis of CARES Act protections for tenants, see CRS Insight IN11320, CARES
Act Eviction Moratorium.
For an analysis of CARES Act mortgage provisions, see CRS Insight IN11334, Mortgage
Provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
On June 29, 2020, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that multifamily property
owners with existing mortgages in forbearance may extend forbearance for an additional three months,
beyond the 90 days provided for in the CARES Act, for a total of up to six months of forbearance on
mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Required renter protections must continue during the
extended forbearance period.
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On July 1, 2020, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued Notice H 20-07,
which announced that renter protections in place for HUD-insured or HUD-held multifamily mortgages in
forbearance would continue for the duration of the forbearance period, including any extensions.
Multifamily property owners must notify renters of the protections to which they are entitled.
On August 5, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminded stakeholders that renter
protections in place for Rural Housing Service (RHS) multifamily properties in forbearance would
continue for the duration of the forbearance period, including any extensions.
As of August 6, 2020, FHFA requires multifamily owners with Fannie Mae- or Freddie Mac-backed
mortgages who enter into new or modified forbearance agreements to notify renters of the protections to
which they are entitled.
On September 4, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an order (2020-
19654) in the Federal Register temporarily halting residential evictions nationwide through December 31,
2020, for covered renters.
To identify HUD-insured or HUD-held multifamily properties:
Federal Housing Administration-Insured Multifamily Properties
HUD Multifamily Assisted Properties
To identify multifamily properties financed by Fannie Mac or Freddie Mac:
Fannie Mae Rental Property Lookup
Freddie Mac Rental Property Lookup
To identify multifamily properties financed or held by RHS:
USDA RHS Multifamily Housing Rentals
These tools do not identify properties that are currently receiving forbearance and thus subject to
continuing renter protections.
Renter Protections at State and Local Levels
Many state and local governments have implemented legislative or legal measures to provide eviction
protections to renters affected by the pandemic. Some state and local governments and nongovernment
organizations have also made available emergency rental assistance.
To locate state and local resources related to COVID-19 and rental housing:
COVID-19 State Legislation Database: Housing and Homelessness (National Conference
of State Legislatures)
This al ows users to search state housing legislation introduced in response to COVID-
19. It includes bil status and bil summary and is updated daily.
State Housing Finance Agency COVID-19 Notices and Statements (National Council of
State Housing Agencies [NCSHA], an advocacy group)
This is a state-by-state list of resources published by state housing agencies in response to
the pandemic.
State Housing Finance Agency Emergency Rental Assistance Programs (NCSHA)
This lists COVID-19 rental assistance programs implemented by state agencies only. It
includes eligibility criteria for participants and provides links to relevant state websites.
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COVID-19 Eviction Moratoria by State, Commonwealth, and Territory (National
Housing Law Project [NHLP], an advocacy group)
This spreadsheet, located under the “State and Local Eviction Moratoria” header, outlines
eviction measures by state and when these measures expire. Faculty and students of
Columbia Law School and students of Columbia University Mailman School of Public
Health and University of Pennsylvania Law School compiled and update the spreadsheet.
State and Local Emergency Rental Assistance (National Low Income Housing Coalition
[NLIHC], an advocacy group)
This al ows users to view COVID-19 emergency rental assistance programs implemented
by state and local governments. NLIHC compiles information regarding relevant
programs and data are available in map and table formats.
Find Local Rental Resources (HUD)
This al ows users to locate state and local housing agencies that may provide rental
assistance or other resources. To locate resources by state:
Select state
Scroll down to the “I Want To..” header
Click “Get Rental Help”
Guidance for Renters
The following resources provide additional information to renters regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Information for renters in federally related properties:
Renters in Public Housing or with Housing Choice Vouchers (HUD)
Renters in HUD Multifamily Housing (HUD)
Renters in Fannie Mae Multifamily Housing (Fannie Mae)
Renters in Freddie Mac Multifamily Housing (Freddie Mac)
Renters in RHS Multifamily Housing (USDA)
Protections for Renters (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
Where to Seek Help
Renters facing eviction may seek assistance from housing counselors or legal services organizations for
help in resolving housing issues.
Locate Housing Counseling Agencies (HUD)
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies can provide assistance with rental issues.
Some agencies may also provide assistance with financial budgeting and credit issues.
Find Legal Help by State (Legal Service Corporation [LSC])
This lists legal services organizations funded by LSC, a private, nonprofit, federal y
funded corporation that helps provide legal assistance to low-income populations in civil
matters by distributing grants to local legal services providers.
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Author Information
Alyse N. Minter
Research Librarian
Disclaimer
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to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of
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