The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the latest round of funding for its Eviction Protection Grant Program, with $40 million available to support legal assistance for low-income tenants facing eviction. Launched in 2021, this program aims to enhance housing stability by offering no-cost legal services through experienced providers.
The Eviction Protection Grant Program
As of March 31, 2024, the Eviction Protection Grant Program has successfully provided legal assistance to over 35,000 households. This achievement highlights a rapid and effective scale-up to address the urgent needs of tenants facing eviction.
In its inaugural year, Fiscal Year 2022, the program supported over 5,000 households. By Fiscal Year 2023, grantees had expanded their efforts dramatically, reaching over 19,000 households—a nearly 250% increase from the previous year. All tenants served are low-income, and almost two-thirds have extremely low incomes, often living below the poverty line.
Who can Apply for Eviction Protection?
Eligible applicants for HUD’s Eviction Protection grants include:
- Non-profit organizations
- Government entities
- Legal aid organizations
- Bar associations
- Legal clinics
- Institutions of higher education
- Housing counseling agencies
- Social service organizations
- Local, state, or tribal agencies and courts
These funds are intended to help these entities provide crucial legal support to those at risk of eviction, ensuring fair and just treatment in the housing system.
Program Goals
The Eviction Protection Grant Program focuses on four key areas:
- Prevention: Assisting tenants in avoiding eviction and preventing eviction filings.
- Justice: Empowering tenants to exercise and enforce their housing and civil rights, ensuring a fair legal process.
- Diversion: Facilitating non-adversarial resolutions outside the court system.
- Relief: Helping tenants mitigate the negative impacts of eviction and access stabilizing resources.
Application Details
PD&R plans to make approximately 25 awards, ranging from $500,000 to $2,500,000 each, from the total $40 million grant fund. Notably, at least half of the funds will be awarded to applicants who have not previously received Eviction Protection Grant Program funds in FY 2021 or FY 2022.
Application Deadline: August 20, 2024
Click Here for more information on the Eviction Protection Grant application process.
We encourage all eligible entities to apply and share this opportunity within your networks. Together, we can work towards greater housing stability and support for low-income tenants.
