The Effects of Emergency Rental Assistance During the Pandemic: Evidence from Four Cities

Robert Collinson, Anthony DeFusco, John Humphries, Benjamin Keys, David Phillips, Vincent Reina, Patrick Turner and Winnie van Dijk

No 32463, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Short-term rental assistance programs expanded to unprecedented scale during the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluate these programs using applications to five assistance programs that disbursed more than $200 million via lottery. Drawing on administrative and original survey data, we estimate effects on rent payment, housing stability, financial distress, and health. Assistance led to increases in rent payment and reduced tenants’ concerns about eviction. We also find suggestive evidence of improvements in self-reported mental and physical health. However, we find little effect on housing stability or financial distress. Relative to Economic Impact Payments, we find that ERA was well-targeted to high-poverty neighborhoods.

JEL-codes: H00 I38 J01 R38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-05
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