Bill
HF 3403
HF 3403 creates a one-time, county-administered emergency rental assistance program to rapidly aid households at risk of eviction due to emergencies or short-term financial hardshi
HF 3403 establishes a one-time emergency rental assistance program administered by counties and appropriates funds to support households experiencing housing instability due to emergencies or short-term financial hardship. The bill aims to provide rapid, targeted relief to renters who face imminent risk of eviction or homelessness, leveraging county-level administration to distribute aid efficiently.
One-time Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Aid: Creates a single, nonrecurring appropriation intended to address urgent rental assistance needs. The emphasis is on a rapid-response mechanism rather than a standing or ongoing program.
County Administration: The program is to be established at the county level. Counties would be responsible for determining eligibility (within state guidelines), distributing funds, and monitoring outcomes. This local administration is intended to streamline approvals and tailor support to community needs.
Eligibility and Use of Funds: While exact eligibility criteria are not detailed in the bill summary, ERA programs typically cover:
Funding and Appropriation: The bill allocates a specific, one-time appropriation for this purpose (dollar amount not specified in the provided information). Funds are designated for counties to administer directly, rather than distributing through a state-operated program.
Program Duration and Sunset: As a one-time aid program, the funding and authority are designed to be finite. The bill would specify the expiration or reporting timeline by which counties must use or liquidate the funds, and to close out the program.
Reporting and Oversight: Likely includes reporting requirements to ensure accountability, such as the number of households aided, total funds disbursed, average award amounts, and outcomes (e.g., evictions prevented). Oversight mechanisms would ensure compliance with program rules and federal/state guidelines.
Renters/Households in Need: Direct beneficiaries who are facing housing instability or eviction risk due to emergency circumstances or income disruption.
Counties and Local Agencies: Primary administrators responsible for determining eligibility, distributing funds, and reporting results. This local approach allows districts to respond to community-specific needs.
Landlords: Potential recipients of back rent payments or arrear compensation; may benefit from timely reimbursements and reduced eviction activity.
State Government: Provides the statutory framework and appropriations to enable county-led ERA efforts; may adjust program rules in future iterations based on outcomes and feedback.
Introduction and First Reading: HF 3403 was introduced and referred to the Housing Finance and Policy committee on February 17, 2026.
Author/Sponsor History: The bill has several listed authors and co-sponsors, indicating cross-chamber or bipartisan interest. Co-sponsors include Katie Jones, Samakab Hussein, Liish Kozlowski, Larry Kraft, Esther Agbaje, Fue Lee, Kari Rehrauer, and others added through the 2026 session updates.
Next Steps: After committee consideration, amendments or fiscal analyses may be added before moving to a floor vote. If enacted, counties would begin program administration per the act’s effective date, with final close-out and reporting completed within the sunset/expiration framework.
The effectiveness of the program will depend on the clarity of eligibility criteria, speed of fund distribution, caps on individual awards, and the robustness of county reporting to prevent duplication of benefits (especially if federal ERA funds or other assistance programs exist concurrently).
Given its one-time nature, stakeholders may seek to assess the impact to inform statewide or ongoing emergency housing strategies in subsequent sessions.
If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to highlight specific gaps or propose a checklist of information to monitor during committee hearings (e.g., exact appropriation amount, eligibility thresholds, and reporting metrics).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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