Today, Congressman Andy Levin and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib led the Democratic members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation in a letter to the Department of Treasury supporting the State of Michigan's application for additional emergency rental assistance. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) requested $300 million to continue the state's COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CERA). MSHDA and their local partners have been working tirelessly since the establishment of federal rental assistance financing to support Michiganders harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Since MSHDA began administering the program, more than 188,000 applications for rental assistance have been received [1]. As of February 2, 2022, more than 133,000 Michiganders have received rental or utilities support [2]. However, the need for additional assistance remains," wrote the lawmakers. "First, MSHDA must process more than 67,000 outstanding applications for CERA payments [3]. MSHDA also believes that enough applications will be received by April 2022 to use all available ERA 1 and ERA 2 funds. Without additional appropriations, they will need to close the application portal."
"We hope to emphasize how the State of Michigan's emergency rental assistance program continues to support the most at-risk tenants," the lawmakers continued. "Thus, an additional allotment of ERA funds to the State of Michigan would primarily support the most resource deprived individuals and families."
The letter was signed by Representatives Daniel T. Kildee, Debbie Dingell, Brenda L. Lawrence, Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stevens.
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/levin-tlaib-co-lead-letter-supporting-additional-emergency-rental-assistance
