CPA Leads the Way on Emergency Rental Assistance in Recent Survey
Over the last few months, many communities have been turning to CPA in order to help create Emergency Rental Assistance Programs (ERAP's). Because of CPA's inherent flexibility, municipalities have been able to mobilize these funds to support their local housing efforts and help residents to stay in their homes during the ongoing health crisis. Results from a recent survey on rental assistance programs demonstrates just how much impact CPA has had in helping communities navigate these difficult times.
Conducted during the month of May by the Department of Housing and Community Development, Citizens' Housing and Planning Association, and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, the results of the survey showed that over $20 million across 48 communities has already been dedicated to funding Emergency Rental Assistance programs - and 59% of these programs utilized local CPA housing funds. In addition, the survey found that 44% of these ERAP's used funding from local Affordable Housing Trusts, many of which regularly receive appropriations of CPA funds each year.
While this data only captures what was accomplished by May of this year, several more communities have been developing similar programs with the help of their CPA housing funds. If your local Community Preservation Committee is considering funding an ERAP, we highly recommend viewing the full report, as well as utilizing the resources listed below.
Further Resources:
- Resources for Emergency Rental Assistance Programs from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP):
- CHAPA - Virtual training resources on Rental Assistance Programs
- How to Run CPA Rental Assistance Programs - Case Studies
- The Most Important Rule for CPA Housing Projects: Income Limits Apply to All CPA Housing Expenditures
- Free Assistance for CPA Housing Projects (CPA Affordable Housing Circuit Rider Program)
- The Role of Grant Agreements in Funding Private Projects