Making the Most of the American Rescue Plan: A Guide to the Funding That Impacts People Experiencing Homelessness

Type
Paper/Research
Year published
2021
Title

Making the Most of the American Rescue Plan: A Guide to the Funding That Impacts People Experiencing Homelessness

Organization

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness

Abstract

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness(USICH)USICH is the only federal agency with the sole mission to prevent and end homelessness. We coordinate the federal response to homelessness with the 19 agencies that make up our council, and we help state and local governments and the private sector create partnerships; use resources in the most efficient and effective ways; and implement evidence-based best practices. The American Rescue Plan(ARP)President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act on March 11, 2021, in response to the economic crisis catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The relief legislation offers more than $1.9 trillion in help for individuals, families, and businesses. It includes $21.6 billion in emergency rental assistance for households struggling to pay rent and utilities. Many of the law’s provisions can be used to help people who are currently or at risk of experiencing homelessness. These resources provide communities with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to innovate and improve existing systems and should target the most vulnerable people, including those living with disabilities and those living unsheltered. This guide provides a snapshot of key provisions in the American Rescue Plan that are applicable to the work of USICH and beneficial to the communities we serve.