Rep. Blackshear: $465 million for COVID-19 rent and utility assistance signed into law

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) today announced that House Bill (HB) 167, COVID-19 relief legislation that will deliver $465 million in direct aid for rent and utility assistance, was signed into law. House Democrats have called for rent and utility relief since the onset of the pandemic, introducing bills that would have created a program for immediate rental assistance, postponed evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic, and prevented utility shutoffs during an emergency.

“Help is on the way. It has been over a year since the pandemic started, and Ohioans have lost jobs, had their hours cut at work, and have even found it hard to find stable employment. As a result of the lack of income stability, many Ohioans have found it difficult to keep up with their rent and utility payments. This assistance is long overdue, but I’m thankful that it has finally gotten through the legislature and the money can finally get into the hands of the people that need it the most,” said Rep. Blackshear

Democrats, however, did express concerns about Republicans delaying the release of the funding, which was originally included in the federal CARES Act, which passed in March 2020, as well as the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, which passed in Dec. 2020.

HB 167 also includes $100 million for federal disaster assistance.