BROADCAST EMAIL – Regulatory Update

Rural Development (RD) published an Unnumbered Letter (UL) dated April 5, 2021, entitled The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Emergency Rental Assistance for Rural Housing.

The UL provides guidance for Multifamily Field Operations staff on the eligibility and selection criteria for the distribution of $100 million in Section 521 Rental Assistance (RA) made available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. These additional funds are to be used for residents in properties who have had a loss of income and do not currently receive, or are scheduled to receive in the future, any federal housing assistance that would duplicate assistance provided by this RA. This includes the Emergency Rental Assistance Program administered by the Department of Treasury. While CARH is pleased that Congress and the Administration agreed to provide this additional RA, we believe that an additional $309 million is needed to assist current non-RA residents in rural properties throughout the country. CARH will continue to advocate for additional monies.

For questions specific to the UL, you are instructed to contact Julie Felhofer, Policy & Budget Branch, at RD’s Multifamily Housing Asset Management Division.

Please contact the CARH national office at carh@carh.org or 703-837-9001 should you have other questions or concerns.