Gov. DeWine signs $465 million emergency rental assistance measure
By Beth Wanless, Ohio REALTORS Director of Government Affairs
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 167 today, a measure that makes a $465 million appropriation to the Development Services Agency to fund an emergency rental and utility assistance program.
Ohio REALTORS supported the measure, sponsored by Rep. Scott Oelslager (R-District 48), as well as the companion bill, Senate Bill 110, sponsored by Senators Sandra O’Brien (R-District 32) and Steve Wilson (R-District 7).
The appropriation provided under the bill follows two previous allocations overseen by DSA for home and utility financial relief for individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2020, the Controlling Board approved of $55.2 million in funding for DSA to oversee the Home Relief Grant Program. That program used federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to provide mortgage, rental, water, or sewer utility payment assistance to qualifying low- and moderate-income individuals. Additionally, in January 2021, the Controlling Board approved $100 million in federal funding that Ohio received under the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2021, for DSA to oversee rent, utility, and home energy assistance payments to individuals at or below 80% of the area median income. Community action agencies were responsible for administering these programs at the local level.
"Ohio's REALTOR community is proud to having played a role in securing these needed funds to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic pay rent or cover utility payments due to unemployment or underemployment as businesses shuttered," said Ohio REALTORS Chief Executive Officer Scott Williams. "Throughout the onset of the pandemic housing providers throughout the state have proactively worked with their tenants who are unable to cover rent to make arrangements for deferred or partial rent payments, or other agreements.
"Ohio REALTORS and the National Association of REALTORS have been actively advocating for emergency rental assistance due to COVID-related financial hardship for more than a year," Williams added. "We appreciate the influx of funding at both the state and federal levels to help Ohioans cover rent and utility liabilities that have been paid directly to housing providers to continue meeting their housing needs. Passage of HB 167 ensures that funds are expeditiously distributed to communities that have immediate needs for more rent and utility assistance."
To read more about HB 167, CLICK HERE.
Formed in 1910, Ohio REALTORS is Ohio’s largest professional trade organization with more than 35,000 members. Ohio REALTORS is the major champion of private property rights and homeownership in Ohio. Our members serve the residential, commercial and industrial markets through sales, property management, investment and development.
