Kuster thanks housing advocates for efforts to support Granite Staters, discusses federal housing resources
CONCORD – U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) held a virtual roundtable discussion with New Hampshire Community Action Programs and the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority to applaud their work during the COVID-19 pandemic and to hear directly from housing stakeholders about the current level of need in NH communities and updates on the upcoming housing relief program.
The group discussed the allocation of federal relief funds to New Hampshire, including $35 million from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund “flex funds” to support families or individuals in need of housing assistance as a result of COVID-19, as well as the recently awarded $200 million to support families or individuals in need of housing assistance from the New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program (NHERAP). These funds will be administered by the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA), in collaboration with the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) and the New Hampshire Community Action Programs. Applications for these relief funds will open on March 15, 2021.
“No one should have to worry about having a safe place to sleep, especially during a pandemic,” said Rep. Kuster. “Unfortunately, many Granite State families and individuals are struggling to get by and risk losing the roof over their head — Congress must do more to support struggling individuals during this public health crisis. I was pleased to help deliver nearly $200 million in housing rental support to New Hampshire to help those most in need as part of the COVID package we passed at the end of 2020. I’m tremendously proud of the work of our New Hampshire organizations to support our communities and look forward to sharing their stories and input with my colleagues.”
“We are pleased to continue providing much-needed support and relief to renters in Belknap and Merrimack Counties,” said Michael Tabory, Chief Operating Officer of Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties. “We view our ongoing partnership with our elected representatives in Washington, the other Community Action Agencies throughout New Hampshire, New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the State of New Hampshire as critical to making a positive difference in the lives of those who have been so terribly impacted by COVID-19.”
Rep. Kuster is leading efforts in Congress to support vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic and expand sustainable affordable housing options. Last month, Rep. Kuster led a letter to the U.S. Treasury Department urging the Treasury to broaden the permissible uses of emergency rental funds to ensure all Granite Staters have a safe place to call home. Last Congress, Kuster introduced a bipartisan bill to provide relief to small private rural water utilities and prevent increases in housing costs in rural communities where affordable housing is already a challenge.