HUD creates Eviction Prevention Grant Program

In 2020, as part of the omnibus relief/budget bill, Congress provided $20 million to the Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants for the following purpose:

competitive grants to nonprofit or governmental entities to provide legal assistance (including assistance related to pretrial activities, trial activities, post-trial activities and alternative dispute resolution) at no cost to eligible low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction: Provided further, That in awarding grants under the preceding proviso, the Secretary shall give preference to applicants that include a marketing strategy for residents of areas with high rates of eviction, have experience providing no-cost legal assistance to low-income individuals, including those with limited English proficiency or disabilities, and have sufficient capacity to administer such assistance: Provided further, That the Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that the proportion of eligible tenants living in rural areas who will receive legal assistance with grant funds made available under this heading is not less than the overall proportion of eligible tenants who live in rural areas.

A second $20 million pot was created in 2021 and a third in December 2022.  These grants now form HUD's Eviction Prevention Grant Program.

In 2021, HUD announced the first set of grantees, which went to 10 different legal services organizations for awards ranging from $1 million to $2.4 million.  In 2022, HUD announced the second set of grantees, which went to 11 different legal services organizations for awards again ranging from $1 million to $2.4 million.  HUD has not yet made announcements related to the third pot.