A 24 million dollar state program designed to provide rental assistance to low-income individuals has been temporarily suspended due to an “overwhelming response”.
The program had funding to help 10,000 families pay three months of rent. 40,000 applications were received.
“There was never enough funding and we knew that tens of thousands of families would be left behind by what really is a drop in the bucket compared to what the need is,” says Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center Director Cashauna Hill.
The program had strict limits on eligibility, including a 15,000 dollar a year income cap and ineligibility for those living in public housing.
Hill says the mass interest in the rental assistance program is evidence of a budding crisis that is set to get much worse in the near future is action is not taken.
“With the federal unemployment ending at the end of the month as well as the eviction protections under the federal stimulus bills 130,000 families across Louisiana are at risk of losing their home,” says Hill.
Negotiations on potentially extending a portion of those benefits are beginning this week in Congress. Democrats want a full extension through the end of the year, Republicans are concerned about the program paying people more to remain unemployed than to work.
Hill says estimates show 500 million dollars is needed to address the impending rental crisis.
“Every dollar certain counts and we are grateful to see the 24 million dollars that was offered it just is nowhere near enough,” says Hill.
LFHAC is among 52 social service agencies and advocates from around the state who signed a letter sent to Governor Edwards calling for more funding for rental assistance.
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