Emergency Rental Assistance Accountability and Transparency Act of 2022

Emergency Rental Assistance Accountability and Transparency Act of 2022

This bill requires the Office of Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury to conduct monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of funds made available under the emergency rental assistance program pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and recoup misused funds. The bill provides funding for these activities.

Bill 117 HR 7645, also known as the Emergency Rental Assistance Accountability and Transparency Act of 2022, aims to address issues related to the distribution and oversight of emergency rental assistance funds. The bill was introduced in response to concerns about the effectiveness and efficiency of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main provisions of the bill include requirements for state and local governments to report on the distribution of ERAP funds, including the number of households assisted, the amount of funds distributed, and the average time it takes to process applications. The bill also requires the Treasury Department to establish a publicly accessible database to track the distribution of funds and ensure transparency in the program.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to strengthen oversight of ERAP funds, including requirements for regular audits of state and local governments that receive funding. The bill also establishes penalties for misuse of funds and requires the Treasury Department to provide guidance to state and local governments on how to prevent fraud and abuse. Overall, the Emergency Rental Assistance Accountability and Transparency Act of 2022 aims to improve the effectiveness and transparency of the ERAP program to ensure that funds are distributed efficiently and reach those in need.