The Problem With Rental Assistance

The economy is always changing. Sometimes that change is in you and your family’s favor, while other times it’s not. Either way, there will come a time when you might find it difficult to pay rent on time, especially if your household income has taken a hit -- no matter what the reason is.

The latest culprit of financial hardship for families all over the country is the continued threat of COVID-19. Not only is finding quality work difficult, but even those with work have seen a drop in hours. This has created a rise in homelessness or housing instability all across the country. 

The good news is the government has plenty of programs designed to help those in need -- including emergency rental assistance programs, utility assistance, unemployment benefits, the American Rescue Plan Act, and plenty of additional resources for homeowners to choose from.

The bad news is those government assistance programs aren’t designed to help everyone in need. Despite the many benefits of rental assistance, there are also plenty of issues with it. Don’t worry, we’re going to detail everything you need to know and how we’re prepared to help.

So, what is rental assistance?

Rental assistance is exactly what it sounds like -- it helps individuals and families keep up with the costs of rent. Some rental assistance programs are found at the federal level, some at the local or state level, and some are even provided by nonprofit organizations across the country.

Most rental assistance programs are designed to help people pay for rent and utilities in order to avoid landlord eviction. For example, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) gives states, territories, local governments, and tribally designated housing funds to put towards rent.

ERAP is divided into two programs -- ERA1 and ERA2. ERA1 is designed to provide $25 billion as of December 27, 2020 thanks to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. ERA2 provides $21.55 billion as of March 11, 2021 thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.



What Are the Pros of Rental Assistance Programs?

Rental assistance does plenty of good for those that qualify. It helps eligible households avoid experiencing homelessness and ensures they stay in their home -- where they belong. It can give you the peace of mind you need when trying to juggle all your other expenses each month.

Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent pros and benefits of rental assistance:

• Allows you peace of mind each month when paying your other bills.
• Since rental assistance payments come from the local public housing agency, you don’t have to worry about them being late.
• The annual inspections give you the motivation to maintain the home and take good care of it over time. 
• Reduces poverty and homelessness in cities across America.
• Especially beneficial for those with low income or those that live in high-rent areas.
• Gives renters more opportunity to live a healthy, normal, and quality life.

If you qualify for rental assistance, it can change your life for the better and completely rethink the way you view this world. It’s a great way to take your mind off the stress that paying rent brings each month. To have a portion of it taken care of can be a beautiful thing for anyone. 

What Are the Cons of Emergency Rental Assistance?

While there are plenty of benefits when it comes to rental assistance for those that need it most, it’s not perfect by any means. In fact, there are a lot of people that never get the opportunity to appreciate the benefits, despite needing it more than others. It’s a hit or miss with most people.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest cons and downfalls of rental assistance:

• There are strict requirements and terms that must be met, otherwise you face the possibility of being dropped from the program.
• The annual inspections can be frustrating and stressful to keep up with.
• There is no guarantee that the tenant remains in the program, which can lead to a sense of instability in certain cases.
• Rental assistance can sometimes benefit the corporations and government more than it helps the general public.
• Getting into the program isn’t the easiest thing, making it a chore more than anything else -- which is why many people don’t even bother.
• Rental assistance doesn’t always solve the root of the problem and many individuals or families get too comfortable with the government’s help instead of bettering themselves.

Rental assistance can help a lot of people keep up with their rent payments each month, but it doesn’t help everyone. Even for those it helps, it comes with a lot of downfalls and monitoring that can be frustrating. It’s certainly not perfect and sometimes requires another solution.

How Can Old Glory Housing Help?

At Old Glory Housing, we understand that rental assistance doesn’t help everyone and can provide more harm than good in some scenarios. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping families find a better solution that meets their needs and desires -- both right now and in the future.

The truth is rental assistance can turn you into a statistic, opposed to treating you as an individual with real issues at hand. At Old Glory Housing, we flip the script. We treat you like the person you are and help you live a better life than you ever imagined -- at an affordable rate.

While we don’t provide rental assistance in the form of money, we do provide affordable housing for those that need it most. Our homes are well-built, renovated, and maintained for quality living. That means you have fixtures and appliances that work, instead of broken and damaged goods.



Whether you’re a senior, someone with health issues, a family trying to avoid homelessness, or someone that’s struggling to maintain a quality income, we’re here to help. If you’re on the lookout for affordable housing and are ready to build a brighter future for yourself and your family, contact us today. We can’t wait to work with you!