Advocates say Connecticut rental assistance falls far short

The state of Connecticut is doubling the amount of federal coronavirus money dedicated to rental assistance, but housing advocates contend it falls far short of what's needed to help as many as 130,000 households, according to one estimate, that face possible eviction between now and Dec. 31 because of the pandemic.

In comparison, there were about 20,000 eviction filings in 2019, before COVID-19 hit.

Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont announced Friday that $10 million will be added to the original $10 million for the Temporary Rental Housing Assistance Program. That's in addition to $5 million for renters who faced eviction before, $2.5 million for renters excluded from federal help because of their immigration status, and several other housing-related programs. Lamont said he also plans to soon sign an executive order that will extend the moratorium on residential evictions until Oct. 1.

Erin Kemple, executive director of the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, said the $20 million in temporary rental assistance will likely benefit only 5,000 households, which are eligible for $4,000 grants that are paid directly to the landlords.

“Most other states are chipping in significantly more,” she said, noting that New Jersey is spending about $100 million of its federal coronavirus funding on rental assistance; Montana, $50 million and the city of Houston, $75 million. “Connecticut is among the lowest amount," Kemple added.

Messages were left seeking comment with the Connecticut Department of Housing and Lamont's office.

During his coronavirus briefing with reporters on Thursday, Lamont said the additional round of funding “will allow (landlords) to negotiate with a tenant who was may be in arrears or slow in their payments to make it easier for that person to power through and reach the point where they’re able to start...