SPLC Action: House Bill 231 necessary; will help people avoid poverty and homelessness

 MONTGOMERY, Ala.— Today, the Alabama Senate gave final passage to House Bill 231, which allocates about $263 million in federal money to the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance fund (ERA). The SPLC Action Fund supports this legislation because it will provide needed help to people throughout the state who are struggling due to COVID-19.  

The funds can be used immediately upon Governor Kay Ivey’s signature, providing much-needed financial relief for more than three out of five families renting in Alabama who were already cost-burdened before the pandemic.

The following is a statement from Wingo Smith, regional policy analyst for economic justice at SPLC Action Fund. 

 “We applaud Gov. Ivey, Chairman Clouse and the Alabama legislature for prioritizing this measure – the first since the pandemic began a year ago – to protect families from harmful evictions. The money allocated by House Bill 231 desperately needs to get out to families and landlords as quickly as possible.  

 “With COVID-19 still raging, Governor Ivey needs to ensure that families will not be evicted while this money is making its way to landlords. But it is a first step in helping people avoid poverty and homelessness. This pandemic has devastated the economy and left many people unemployed through no fault of their own with limited prospects until this plague is over. We must do everything we can to help.”