The legislation that the House Financial Services Committee will consider this week to meet its reconciliation instructions under the House budget resolution includes critical housing assistance for millions of people who are struggling to pay their rent and avoid eviction.

Tens of millions of people are struggling to meet basic needs, according to the most recent Census data released on December 2, yet core parts of the relief that policymakers provided this spring have already expired or are slated to expire by the end of the year.

Because millions of people continue to experience severe hardship as they struggle to pay rent and remain safely in their homes during the pandemic, it is essential that policymakers substantially expand rental assistance in year-end legislation.

If policymakers fail to act, millions of low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness are likely to experience avoidable evictions, continued homelessness, or other preventable hardships.

Federal rental assistance can substantially improve adults’ health and children’s chances for long-term success, but millions that need it don’t receive it due to funding limitations.

The number of households using housing vouchers has declined over the past two years due to funding delays and shortfalls caused by policymakers’ battles over federal spending.