Biden rips states for sitting on billions in rental aid as he lets eviction ban end

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Business Insider

By Lauren Frias , Joseph Zeballos-Roig , and Azmi Haroun 11 hours ago

President Joe Biden slammed state leaders Friday for sitting on billions in rental aid as the eviction moratorium is set to expire on Saturday.

Biden called on state and local governments to disperse the Emergency Rental Assistance funding they received in February.

"Five months later, with localities across the nation showing that they can deliver funds effectively – there can be no excuse for any state or locality not accelerating funds to landlords and tenants that have been hurt during this pandemic," Biden said in a statement.

"Every state and local government must get these funds out to ensure we prevent every eviction we can," Biden continued.


Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-rips-states-sitting-on-rental-aid-eviction-ban-ends-2021-7

[Murphyb849]

1. He did not let it end. The supreme court stepped in and said extension by Congress.

[padah513]

2. Yep

Crappy headline

[luv2fly]

3. Yep not Joe

Stated very poorly...

[Delphinus]

7. Thank you

for saying this - I have screamed at the radio and PBS for stating things that "he" let it end!

(edit to fix typo)

[PatSeg]

8. Yes, once again a terrible and misleading headline

This happens far too often.

[IronLionZion]

24. Yup, headline is deliberately incorrect

liberal media strikes again

[ananda]

4. I'm sure that the red states will get right on that stat.

*sarcasm*

[thesquanderer]

11. Blue New York is among the worst offenders!

https://apnews.com/article/business-health-government-and-politics-new-york-coronavirus-pandemic-d21278e66c3d113959e2d3a26e736125

[ananda]

18. So sorry to hear that.

So much broken here in the USA now, so much.....

[RandiFan1290]

30. So what?

We can criticize New York, too

[thesquanderer]

32. I was replying to a post that implied it was more of a red state problem. (n/t)

[MichMan]

23. Texas has distributed $450 million, New York zero.

[ancianita]

5. Shady media gaslighting again.

Who knows where they even got the figure that the deadline will affect 16% of renters.

[AllaN01Bear]

14. one of the reasons i quit reading newspapers . watching tv news and radio news.

got and still get too upset . have heart conditions and dont want to get too aggrivated . i would love to see a few retractions there .

[RandiFan1290]

31. But did you hear about 'ultra liberal blue granola unicorns and rainbows' New York???!!!11

it's so fucking obvious

[riversedge]

6. cruelty is the point for so many

[PatSeg]

9. So, what happens to the billions of dollars

if it is not used for rental assistance?

[certainot]

10. limbaugh republicans would rather it disappear than be used to help poor people and then they

will blame increased homelessness on democrats/biden

[ancianita]

12. So he's publicly warning them that "sitting on billions" is a fraud?

Why would states sit on billions if they can find property tax paying landlords or corporate owners of rental properties through tax records; so withholding from landlords or renters for the reason (not being able to find them) is hard to believe. So why else?

Why would these states think Biden and Democrats would just let them do that? Because they think Biden and Democrats can't really stop their state level steal? Or take the money back?

Does Biden have the list of state and local governments that are withholding the rental assistance funds?
Is he going to have state AG's prosecute them?

Don't media want to ask Psaki such questions? Or would that foment more political war?

[former9thward]

17. New York is one of four states that has paid nothing.

So Biden can not call out states.

https://apnews.com/article/business-health-government-and-politics-new-york-coronavirus-pandemic-d21278e66c3d113959e2d3a26e736125

[ancianita]

22. Thanks for the info and link.

So from this report, if it looks as if New York has processing complications, it's likely that the others have had similar problems.

Now I understand better. Thank you for helping me out here.

[oldsoftie]

13. I filed 2 weeks ago in GA. Havent heard anything back yet.

They have a detailed website with all kinds of crap you gotta fill out and send in

[BlueIdaho]

15. If states are t going to hand this aid out

They should be required to return money it to the Feds.

[ripcord]

16. Most states have been too slow in getting the relief out

They wouldn't let landlords collect rent but they made damn sure they paid their property taxes on time and in full.

[sinkingfeeling]

19. "He let's eviction ban end"? He couldn't keep it without Congress.

[AngryOldDem]

26. And if I heard right this morning, Pelosi thought it was CDC's call.

Everything about the way all pandemic stuff has been handled has been a travesty.

You just can’t throw millions out of their homes, especially when it isn’t their fault they’re behind. Some stop-gap is needed, like right now.

[BumRushDaShow]

20. Many states and municipalities are literally appearing to be burnt out

and are attempting to create some kind of system (or maybe leverage an existing one) to track the applications for the funds by both landlords and tenants, and then align them. E.g., I think whatever a tenant applies for and is granted, is directly sent to their landlord in most cases.

It's literally like they are completely overwhelmed (and I get that). They had to modify their outdated UE systems to handle those supplements and extensions, and then coordinate handling all the different types of funding that came from the American Rescue Plan to distribute to various sectors of their states/counties.

Probably one of the biggest barriers is getting something in place for the applications, and then do the type of outreach to let both parties know what is available, how to apply for it, and get those applications in. PLUS they have to ensure that whatever is dished out is legit and has some strict verification, and that is probably the biggest hurdle.

If anything, the outreach/messaging part has been halting (at least here in PA and in Philly), probably because so much focus has been on getting people vaccinated.

[TexasBushwhacker]

27. There is an enormous amount of fraud going on too

The internet and online applications has made it SO easy to file fraudulent income tax returns and applications for PPP loans, unemployment benefits, credit cards, you name it. The IRS, unemployment offices, etc often catch the fraudulent apps, but it still means they have double or triple the work. When the IRS catches a fraudulent return, the real person has to send in a paper return. The problem? The IRS is still processing paper returns from 2019!

Just an FYI. It used to be you could only apply for a PIN with the IRS if someone had filed a false return with your information. Now anyone can apply for a PIN. The IRS shuts down all online applications in mid-November, so I recommend that EVERYONE who normally files tax returns online to apply for a PIN for filing their 2021 returns next year. The PIN is good for 12 months.

[BumRushDaShow]

28. Yup

And I think this is why the ARP tried to include some stipulations regarding how the funds would actually be applied to remove a few "easy" paths to creation of fraudulent applications, and receipt of money that ends up for personal use vs towards rent. But then there are pros out there who can get around just about anything.

[totodeinhere]

21. A lot of the MAGA crowd actually want people to get evicted as long as it's not them.

They are cruel and heartless people. There is just something very wrong with someone who actually enjoys seeing suffering in others.

[OldBaldy1701E]

29. And

They are quite sure that this will not affect them in any way. That the homeless would never show up at their house. That they have the firepower to repel any 'invaders'... and all the while not understanding what it means to be 'swarmed by ants'. Yes, they are pretty easy to get rid of individually, and even in small numbers, but when they start to swarm...

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

25. Thank you Joe