Portman Announces $26 Million in CARES Act HUD Grants to Help Fund the Housing Choice Voucher Program Across Ohio

CINCINNATI, OH —Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded cities across Ohio $26 million in Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG). These grants are a supplemental allocation of ESG funds as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act which Portman supported. These special funds are to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic among individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance.

Today’s grants build on the nearly $30 million in HUD grants and $11.6 million that Ohio received in April to support public housing agencies across the state. Portman has long focused on ensuring Ohioans have affordable housing and is currently championing the bipartisan Evictions Crisis Act which will help to address the national housing crisis that is undermining the efforts of millions of Americans to rise into the middle class. The bipartisan legislation will shed light on the root causes of the eviction crisis, reduce preventable evictions, and limit the devastation to families when eviction is unavoidable. More than 75 national and Ohio based housing, civil rights, and homelessness groups have announced their strong support for the Eviction Crisis Act. Portman released the following statement:  

“These HUD grants will help Housing Authorities across Ohio that are struggling to keep up with growing housing expenses during this ongoing coronavirus pandemic,” said Portman. “I’ve long believed we must address homelessness and increase the supply of housing so Ohioans can reach their God-given potential and I’m glad these grants will help public housing authorities assist individuals and families during this crisis. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure Ohioans have the resources they need during these uncertain times.” 

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