Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. HECK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Waters. I rise in support of H.R. 7301, and I thank the chair for including my legislation, the Emergency Rental Assistance Act, in this bill.

In 2 days, the rent comes due, and as we face historic levels of unemployment, far too many are going to come up short in their rent payment. Failure to address the rent crisis will have dire consequences for millions of Americans and for the housing ecosystem that fortifies our economy.

Our legislation has 150 House sponsors and the endorsement of almost 700 organizations, and it passed the House as a part of the HEROES Act. It provides $100 billion in rental assistance through the Emergency Solutions Grants program. It would change the lives of millions of tenants across the country who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis.

Over 10 million families pay more than half of their incomes for rent. As job losses continue and eviction moratoriums expire, that is not going to improve. We must protect the housing ecosystem.

Residential rent payments are $50 billion each month and represent a chain of payment between staff, maintenance, and contractors. As unemployment claims remain at historic highs, we can't afford to lose those jobs.

This legislation is also for mom-and-pop landlords. Yes, they own more than half of the 20 million rental properties, and they can't afford a big rental income loss for a sustained period.

If we do nothing to stop the spike in evictions, in homelessness, communities of color will be hardest hit. We need to be fighting systemic racism, not exacerbating it.

So support this legislation. Keep Americans safely in their homes throughout the pandemic. Save the renters. Save the jobs. Save the housing ecosystem by voting ``yes'' on this measure.

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