Despite the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 92 percent of apartment households made full or partial rent payments in the second half of June, according to the latest research from the National Multifamily Housing Council.
According to the council’s Rent Payment Tracker, 92.2 percent of these households made at least a partial rent payment by June 20.
What’s interesting is that this percentage is unchanged from the share of apartment households that paid rent through June 20 of 2019. It’s also an improvement over the council’s May 20 data, when 90.8 percent of apartment households had made partial or full rent payments.
The National Multifamily Housing Council surveys 11.4 million units of professionally managed apartment units across the country for its monthly Rent Payment Tracker survey.
Doug Bibby, president of the council, said that the combined effects of expanded unemployment benefits and stimulus funds have helped tenants meet their rent obligations. He also said that apartment owners and operators have been willing to work with tenants to craft payment plans and other remedies to help those who are struggling financially.
“The early steps taken by lawmakers have been critical to keeping many safely and securely housed,” Bibby said. “As we move forward and the economy begins to recover, it will be vitally important that lawmakers continue to support the nation’s renters and forestall even greater economic harm.”
