Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey covering the December 29, 2021-January 10, 2022, period indicate that Black and Latino renter households were more likely than white households to be behind on rent but Latino renter-households were disproportionately less likely to apply for emergency rental assistance (ERA). The share of renter-households behind on rent has remained relatively steady: approximately 15.1% of renter-households were behind on rent by early January, while 15.5% were behind on rent in early October 2021. The data show that renter-households of color, particularly Black and Latino renter-households, were more likely to have fallen behind on rent: a quarter of Black renter-households were behind on rent compared to 21% of Latino renter-households, 14% of Asian renter-households, and 9% of white renter-households. One in five households with yearly incomes of less than $35,000 was behind on rent; these households make up the majority (75%) of all households behind on rent.
Pulse surveys from December 2021 and January 2022 suggest that more than 13% of all renter-households have applied for ERA through state and local programs, which distribute funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Relative to their need, Latino and Asian renter-households have been less likely to apply for ERA: 15% of Latino and 7% of Asian renter-households have applied for ERA compared to 27% of Black and 9% of white renter-households. These results likely underscore differences in how ERA programs conduct outreach to different households, as well as the inadequate provision of program materials in multiple languages. Households with yearly incomes of less than $35,000 have accounted for three-quarters (76%) of those households applying for ERA and 80% of households that have received ERA.
Treasury data indicate that two-thirds (66%) of households served by the Treasury ERA Program have extremely low incomes. Further demographic data would illuminate additional disparities in the distribution of ERA funds, especially those disparities involving race and ethnicity. Treasury collects such demographic data about applicants to its ERA programs but has not released this information. NLIHC urges Treasury to release these data so that advocates can hold programs accountable, identify shortfalls, and help improve the distribution of emergency rental assistance.