Protecting Rural Renters Act of 2022

Protecting Rural Renters Act of 2022

This bill prevents the reallocation of unspent funding that states and territories received through the Emergency Rental Assistance program.

This program provides funding to assist low-income households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with covering unmet rent and utility expenses. Cities and counties with populations over 200,000 may elect to receive funding directly, while states and territories receive the funding to administer assistance in all other areas. Under current law, if a jurisdiction fails to spend a minimum portion of its funds by a statutory deadline, the Department of the Treasury must reallocate those funds among jurisdictions that spent more than a specified portion of their initial allocation.

The bill prohibits Treasury from reallocating unspent funds received by states and territories and requires Treasury to return to a state or territory any funds previously reallocated.

Bill 117 HR 7327, also known as the Protecting Rural Renters Act of 2022, aims to provide protections for renters in rural areas of the United States. The bill addresses issues faced by rural renters, such as lack of affordable housing options, limited tenant rights, and vulnerability to eviction.

The key provisions of the bill include:

1. Establishing a Rural Tenant Protection Program: This program would provide funding to rural communities to support the development of affordable housing options for renters. It would also provide resources for tenant education and advocacy to help renters understand their rights and navigate the rental process. 2. Strengthening Tenant Rights: The bill includes provisions to strengthen tenant rights in rural areas, such as prohibiting landlords from retaliating against tenants who assert their rights, and requiring landlords to provide adequate notice before evicting a tenant. 3. Increasing Access to Legal Assistance: The bill would provide funding for legal assistance programs to help rural renters who are facing eviction or other housing-related legal issues. This would help ensure that renters have access to the resources they need to protect their rights. Overall, the Protecting Rural Renters Act of 2022 aims to address the unique challenges faced by rural renters and provide them with the support and protections they need to secure stable and affordable housing.