US President-elect Joe Biden delivers remarks on the public health and economic crises at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Delaware on January 14, 2021.
Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
President-elect Joe Biden called on Congress to pass a range of protections and financial relief for Americans at risk of losing their homes because of the coronavirus pandemic.
To stop a wave of evictions, Biden plans to ask lawmakers to approve $30 billion in rental assistance on top of the $25 billion in aid approved in the most recent $900 billion stimulus package, according to a briefing document distributed prior to the president-elect’s Thursday night speech.
Another $5 billion would go toward finding those experiencing or at risk of homelessness secure housing, and a fund would help individuals facing eviction get legal assistance.
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Biden also plans to ask Congress to extend eviction and foreclosure bans until Sept. 30, 2021. The current eviction moratorium is scheduled to expire at the end of the month.
Around 19% of renters were behind on their housing payments in December, according to the Center on Budget Policies and Priorities. Closer to 30% of Black renters were behind. Meanwhile, studies have also shown that evictions lead to significantly more coronavirus cases and deaths in an area.
Biden said his plan would help to keep the 14 million Americans who are behind on their rent in their homes as the pandemic rages.
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