Bill Overview
Title: Protecting Rural Renters Act of 2022
Description: This bill prevents the reallocation of unspent funding that states and territories received through the Emergency Rental Assistance program. This program provides funding to assist low-income households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with covering unmet rent and utility expenses. Cities and counties with populations over 200,000 may elect to receive funding directly, while states and territories receive the funding to administer assistance in all other areas. Under current law, if a jurisdiction fails to spend a minimum portion of its funds by a statutory deadline, the Department of the Treasury must reallocate those funds among jurisdictions that spent more than a specified portion of their initial allocation. The bill prohibits Treasury from reallocating unspent funds received by states and territories and requires Treasury to return to a state or territory any funds previously reallocated.
Sponsors: Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]
Target Audience
Population: Low-income rural renters in the United States
Estimated Size: 25000000
- The Emergency Rental Assistance program targets low-income households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic who need assistance with rent and utilities.
- Rural areas, which are less densely populated and might have fewer resources, are specifically within the focus of this bill.
- The program is part of a broader attempt to alleviate economic hardship due to the pandemic within the United States.
Reasoning
- The policy is aimed at assisting low-income renters in rural areas who are struggling with rent and utility payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The budget limits the extent of the program, so not all eligible individuals will receive aid, and the impact will vary depending on personal circumstances and regional needs.
- Many rural renters, due to sparse population density, might not have easy access to assistance programs compared to urban renters, making this policy particularly relevant to them.
- People unaffected by this policy might include rural renters whose financial situation has improved post-pandemic, urban dwellers, and renters who live in regions that have exhausted their initial allocations effectively.
Simulated Interviews
Waitress (Shasta County, California)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The pandemic threw my life into chaos. I have been unable to catch up with rent since losing hours at my job.
- I feel the unspent funds from larger city allocations should be available to us as we have greater needs at times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Coal Miner (Appalachia, West Virginia)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need this assistance to stay in my home and keep the lights on.
- If they take away our funds, we have no chance to survive this downturn.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 1 |
Substitute Teacher (Navajo Nation, Arizona)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every bit of assistance helps in my area, especially given our logistical challenges.
- Without continued funding, I don't see how I'll manage to keep rent and utilities consistently paid.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Craft Artist (Ozarks, Missouri)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The local economy was hit hard, and we need all the help we can get.
- I support the bill, as reassigned funds won't help us if they stay in big cities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Retired (Wisconsin rural area)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Utility costs are overwhelming, especially in winter.
- Ensuring funds stay in the region helps manage unpredictable expenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Farmer (Panhandle, Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Rent assistance during off-season gaps is crucial.
- The bureaucracy of fund reallocation could leave rural areas like mine last.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
School Bus Driver (Midlands, Texas)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Housing stability is everything for my family and me.
- The policy promises a beacon of hope in uncertain times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Retail Worker (Rural Vermont)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal support for rent might be the only way I can stay independent.
- Competition for aid with urban areas is a tough battle.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Healthcare Worker (Rural New Mexico)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The funding is imperative to maintain housing security.
- Lack of funds would mean making even tougher choices on essentials.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Rancher (Rural Montana)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We often feel left out of financial considerations, especially in emergencies.
- The policy ensures funds don't bypass areas truly needing aid.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 3: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 5: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 10: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy focuses on protecting a significant vulnerable population sector: rural renters affected by the pandemic.
- Reallocation prohibition may lead to inefficiencies where funds remain unspent in slow-utilizing jurisdictions, potentially delaying aid where most needed.
- Potential increase in administrative duties at the Treasury Department.