Billions In Federal Rental Aid Sit Unspent By Local Governments

Eight months after the federal government approved billions of dollars to help people pay their rent, more than 50 counties and cities still haven’t spent a single penny. 

The numbers come from the Treasury Department’s latest data on the distribution of rental assistance, which Congress first authorized in December 2020. 

Congress set aside an unprecedented $46 billion in two separate relief bills to help renters through the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of creating a national program to distribute the money, lawmakers asked state and local governments to give out the funds.

Of the first $25 billion, states and local governments have only spent $5.1 billion. They disbursed $1.6 billion in July ― a tiny improvement from the $1.5 billion total for June. Roughly 60 areas had sent out $0 in federal rental assistance through the end of June, according to a HuffPost analysis. That included the state of New York, which was sitting on $801 million, and the territory of Puerto Rico, which was afforded $325 million in relief funds to distribute. While some areas have started their programs, many are still struggling to get aid out.