More money to help Tennessee renters avoid eviction will soon be available to nonprofit organizations even after the state’s federally funded pandemic rental assistance program closed to applications in January.

The new program, which also uses federal money, is aimed at preventing evictions for people making less than 50% of their area’s median income and who are at risk of losing their homes.

In total, the Tennessee Housing and Development Agency has set aside $24 million for the latest eviction prevention program, using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Democrats in Congress in 2o21. The state will fund $1 million for administration.

(READ MORE: Hamilton County housing advocates want local program after pandemic relief ends)

Statewide, the grants total roughly the amount of money renters have received in Hamilton County alone under the state’s COVID-19 rental assistance program since March 2021.

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