§ 5-5 — Purposes and findings

The purpose of this Act is for the State to implement federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) assistance to renters administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, appropriated from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. International, national, State, and local governments and health authorities are responding to an outbreak of a disease caused by the novel Coronavirus referred to as COVID-19. African American and Latino households in the State are at disproportionate risk of exposure to and the contraction of COVID-19 and to economic effects of this pandemic. On March 9, 2020, the Governor issued a disaster declaration proclamation in this State because of the threat of COVID-19. On March 26, 2020, the President of the United States declared that a major disaster exists in the State and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the COVID-19 pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020 and continuing. Unpaid rent, late fees, and court costs are currently accruing against residential tenants and will be demanded by landlords after the expiration of the emergency period. To reduce the rental arrears throughout this State, all eligible residential landlords and tenants alike shall avail themselves of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The State deems it necessary to protect public health, life, and property during this declared state of emergency by protecting residential tenants, homeowners, and housing providers from certain evictions and other hardships during this public health and economic crisis.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 102-5, eff. 5-17-21.)