Renters’ Responses to Financial Stress During the Pandemic
April 08, 2021 by During the COVID-19 pandemic, about half of all renters faced income losses, with people of color, low-income households, and younger renters being disproportionately affected. Renters used various strategies to cope, including depleting savings, borrowing from family and friends, and relying on government support. Despite these efforts, many renters fell behind on rent, with significant arrearages reported. The report identifies gaps in data and suggests that better information is needed to design effective policies. It concludes that cash assistance and tailored rental support are crucial for addressing the ongoing rental housing affordability crisis.