January 13, 2021

Manchin Championed Rental Assistance For West Virginians

Senator Manchin led calls for rental assistance in initial COVID relief assistance proposal

Charleston, WV – In December, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) championed rental assistance programs for West Virginians when he led COVID-19 emergency relief negotiations. Senator Manchin’s initial emergency relief proposal – which was the framework of the final package – included $25 billion in rental assistance. As a result of Senator Manchin’s leadership, West Virginia is slated to receive an estimated $200 million from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program that was established in the recent COVID-19 stimulus package. These funds will be administered through the West Virginia Housing Development Fund to assist Mountaineers with paying rent, utilities, and other housing-related needs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Across the state, West Virginians are struggling to find jobs, put food on the table, or keep a roof over their head due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I fought to include rental assistance in the recent COVID-19 stimulus package and now West Virginia will receive an estimated $200 million from the Emergency Rental Assistance program to provide rental assistance and help keep a roof over our neighbors’ heads. I will continue to work with federal, state, and local parties to ensure this program is up and running as quickly as possible so West Virginians can get the help they need during these difficult times,” said Senator Manchin.

To view Senator Manchin’s initial COVID-19 emergency relief framework click here.

To view a breakdown of the final COVID-19 emergency relief package Senator Manchin led click here.

A timeline on Senator Manchin’s work to address homelessness can be found here.