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$324M Missouri rent assistance bill signed into law

House Bill 16 was signed this week by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. The bill provides over $324 million in funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to financially assist tenants and landlords. The program covers up to 12 months of funding for rent and utilities.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill Thursday that will provide more than $324 million in funding to help tenants and landlords across the state.

House Bill 16 provides more than $324 million in funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), a program that was passed by Congress in December 2020.

The program’s passage made funding available to state and local governments to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“HB 16 will provide much-needed assistance to tenants and landlords across the state,” Parson said “COVID-19’s economic impacts have created hard times for many Missourians, and we are happy to provide this immediate relief.”

ERAP includes up to 12 months of assistance for rental arrears, forward rental assistance, utility arrears, and utility forward assistance. Utility assistance includes electricity, gas, water and sewer, trash removal, and certain energy costs.

Both landlords and tenants are eligible to apply for assistance through the program.