Evaluating the impact of rental assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic
Official title: Evaluating Rental Relief During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Funded at Boston College · NIH-10832684 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the Emergency Rental Assistance Program has helped low-income families and communities of color during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on whether it has kept people in their homes and improved their mental well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chestnut Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 25, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $195,625 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD111746-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10832684 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include low-income renters and households of color who have experienced housing instability or financial distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are homeowners or those who have not faced economic challenges related to housing during the pandemic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) has affected low-income households and communities of color during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to systematically evaluate the design and implementation of ERAP across different states and localities, focusing on how these variations influence housing stability and related mental health outcomes. By using quasi-experimental methods, the study will analyze the effects of rental assistance on preventing evictions and alleviating financial stress for renters. The findings could provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of rental relief measures in mitigating the pandemic's economic impact.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved policies that enhance housing stability and mental health support for vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown that rental assistance programs can significantly reduce eviction rates and improve mental health outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fusaro, Vincent — Boston College
- Study coordinator: Fusaro, Vincent
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Structural factors linking minimum wage, COVID-19, and community violence
A long-term study will explore whether higher minimum wages and pandemic-related economic factors are connected to changes in violence in US communities.
-
COVID-19 healthcare disruptions and heart health inequities in NYC adults with multiple conditions
This project looks at how COVID-19-related gaps in care affected heart health in adults with several chronic conditions in New York City.
-
Modifying body fat to aid COVID-19 recovery through behavioral strategies
A study in veterans explores whether changing weight through lifestyle habits can improve recovery after COVID-19–related health problems.
-
Post-COVID Neuro-Cognitive Changes in Older African Americans
A study explores how COVID-19 affects thinking, memory, and daily life in older African American adults and what might be driving these changes.
-
How COVID school closures affected kids with or at risk for developmental differences
This NIH grant follows children aged 4 to 15 and their families to see how pandemic school closures impacted emotional well-being and parenting over three years.
-
Long-term COVID-19 effects in older Veterans and a rehabilitation approach
This project looks at how COVID-19 affects blood vessel health in older Veterans and tests a rehab strategy together with a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant to help recovery.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.