Sarpy County and all rural counties in Nebraska are the only counties in the country that have not received second round ERAP funding. A hearing on LB 715, a bill that would require the Governor to apply for second round emergency rental assistance under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, introduced by Senator John Cavanaugh to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, will be brought to the Nebraska Legislature floor on Friday, March 24, 2023.
The Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee will hear testimony and read online comments to decide to move it to the floor for debate and possible vote.
Sarpy County and all other rural counties in Nebraska are the only counties in the country that have not received the second round of emergency rental assistance under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. (Douglas and Lancaster County received their funding.) In Sarpy County alone, the eviction rate has doubled from 2021 to an average of 13 evictions per week, a startling number given the economic growth in the county.
The passage of this bill would provide needed funding to families across the state while providing some relief to the not-for-profits, faith-based organizations and local government entities that have been working together to prevent families from becoming homeless through immediate assistance, renterlandlord relations, financial coaching, and preventative education. Tanya Gifford, Executive Director of Lift Up Sarpy County, and others will address the Committee.
Comments can be submitted before noon on Thursday, March 23, 2023.