Rent Bridge Program is a Vital Tool to Keep Renters in Their Homes, ACLU of North Dakota Says

Good health starts with stable housing.

Now, there’s a good solution for North Dakota renters who could be facing eviction because of the COVID-19 crisis.

The North Dakota COVID Emergency Rent Bridge program from the Department of Human Services can provide temporary rental assistance to eligible renters who are experiencing a loss of household income due to COVID-19. As the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus continues to rise and more and more North Dakotans are being laid off or furloughed because of COVID-19, the program couldn’t come at a better time, the ACLU of North Dakota said.

For weeks, the ACLU of North Dakota and area nonprofit organizations like the Fargo-Moorhead Coalition to End Homelessness and High Plains Fair Housing have been urging Gov. Doug Burgum to issue a temporary eviction moratorium for people behind on their rent for the duration of the pandemic. After getting the chance to evaluate the Rent Bridge program, the ACLU of North Dakota has determined it could be the answer North Dakota renters struggling because of the pandemic need.

“Safe, stable and decent housing has always been central to ensuring peoples’ health and stability – that’s why we wanted Gov. Burgum to issue a temporary eviction moratorium,” said Dane DeKrey, advocacy director for the ACLU of North Dakota. “The Rent Bridge program has the potential to be an even better solution to keep people in their homes and to make it easier for North Dakota renters who are involuntarily out of work to get back on their feet when the economy rebounds. We’re happy the state finally responded to our concerns and call to action.”