Emergency Rental Assistance Programs Reduce COVID-19 Mortality Rates, Study Finds

Strategic Insights -

A recent study by researchers from Pennsylvania State University has found a significant association between the implementation of emergency rental assistance programs and reduced COVID-19 mortality rates. The study, published in the journal Public Health, analyzed data from 2,993 US counties, of which 170 implemented rental assistance programs in 2020. The results showed that counties with rental assistance programs experienced a significant reduction in monthly COVID-19 deaths by 636 per 100,000 population.

The study, which leveraged quasi-experimental study design, found that early-stage rental assistance funding played a crucial role in flattening the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers emphasized the importance of incorporating financial support mechanisms into pandemic preparedness strategies, particularly before effective vaccines. Policymakers are encouraged to consider these insights in future policy formulations aimed at enhancing epidemic response capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from 2,993 US counties, of which 170 implemented rental assistance programs in 2020.
  • Counties with rental assistance programs experienced a significant reduction in monthly COVID-19 deaths by 636 per 100,000 population.
  • Early-stage rental assistance funding played a crucial role in flattening the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The researchers found notable differences in race/ethnicity, education levels, income, poverty rates, healthcare resources, and health outcomes between counties with and without rental assistance programs.
  • Policymakers are encouraged to consider incorporating financial support mechanisms into pandemic preparedness strategies.
  • The study highlights the importance of emergency rental assistance programs in reducing COVID-19 mortality rates.

Statistics:

  • 170 counties (5.7%) implemented COVID-19 emergency rental assistance programs in 2020.
  • 2,823 counties (94.3%) did not implement rental assistance programs in 2020.
  • Counties with rental assistance programs showed a reduction in monthly COVID-19 deaths by 636 per 100,000 population.
  • The study analyzed data from 2,993 US counties.

Sources:

  • Pandemic relief policies and public health: A study on emergency rental assistance and COVID-19 deaths in the USA. Public Health, 2025;247:105896.
  • Public Health can be contacted at: W B Saunders Co Ltd, 32 Jamestown Rd, London NW1 7BY, England.
  • Joel E. Segel, Dept. of Health Policy and Administration, Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), University Park, PA, United States.