Rental assistance program may soon come to an end in Nebraska

Governor Pete Ricketts must ask for more funding to keep it around another three years

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)- A fast-approaching deadline has some renters concerned.  For 2 hours on Friday, Nebraskans from across the state gave reasons on why renters assistance is still needed, but Governor Ricketts feels it is no longer necessary.

“At some point the assistance has to end,” said Lee Will, state budget administrator with the department of administrative services.

“I just got a letter on my door saying that I have 30 days to come up with my rent or I’m evicted. So it has kind of been a stressful day. Because I have children with disabilities I do have to miss work a lot. I think this is going to be a really good thing for families like me who are really trying to provide for their families. I need to live, I need to live,” said Megan Mccaul a single mother advocating for this program.

Representatives from various non-profits across the state testified saying the need for rental assistance remains, saying Douglas County is seeing 60 to 70 evictions a day.

“The Governor has said in his reasoning in not accepting the funds is that he doesn’t see the need, I hope today that that need first and foremost comes through loud and clear,” said Senator Matt Hansen.

The problem is, after nearly 2 years of offering this assistance, only about 9% of the funds have been used.

“We’re seeing $14.7 million actually applied and be approved. I do hear some stories of need but we are just not seeing it through a year of running the program,” said Will.

Senator Matt Hansen introduced an amendment that, if passed, would require the Governor to apply for renters assistance for the state.  Hansen understands that not all funds have been used, but blames that on a series of things.

“You may have heard that the first pot of money was underutilized, but this appears to be issues with the application, lack of outreach and awareness, and that state’s decision to define what the money could be spent on,” said Senator Hansen.

The Governor would have to ask for more funds from the federal government by the deadline of March 30th, if not, the program will end at the end of the year and the remaining funds will be given to one of the other 40 states that did ask for more help.

“The federal government has said that you no longer need any impact of COVID to qualify for funding that was specifically allocated to address the impacts of COVID. We should not be using taxpayer money to pay people’s rent without a good reason. It’s irresponsible spending like this that has ushered in record inflation and surging national debt, and in this case, Nebraska has elected not to take part,” said Governor Pete Ricketts.

This amendment must make it out of the hearing committee before it can hit the debate floor for senators to vote on.