U.S. Congresswoman Cindy Axne

Two bills introduced by Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne (D) to protect renters and homeowners during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic were included in a legislative package of housing protections that was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Monday.

The Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act includes over $175 billion in emergency relief for renters and homeowners, language to allow for mortgage forbearance and foreclosure protection, and an extension of the eviction moratorium included in the previously passed CARES Act to March 2021.

Representative Axne mentions that the package includes the Protect Rural Renters Act, a bill she introduced in May that would add $309 million for assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Sections 515 and 521 rental housing programs, which help elderly and low-income Americans in rural areas find rental housing and stay in their homes, “It also includes another bill of mine, the Coronavirus Housing Counseling Support Act, which is funding towards assistance and advice for Iowans who need help with their housing costs to keep them from avoiding hopefully foreclosure. Reverse mortgages and credit, those types of things, where they can go and talk with somebody who can help them stay in their home.”

Iowans seeking housing counseling assistance can information here. You can hear more from Rep. Axne in today’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program on air and at raccoonvalleyradio.com.