Letter to the editor: Rental help needed during pandemic

I am happy for the people who won $190,000 from a lottery ticket purchased in Greensburg (“Winning lottery ticket sold at Greensburg Shop ‘n Save,” Sept. 28, TribLIVE). They will be able to buy many nice things.

And unlike many Americans, they will be able to make rent. Covid-19 has devastated millions of Americans’ ability to maintain their housing.

The situation for American renters is dire. Economist Mark Zandi estimates that renters already owe $25 billion in back rent, which could grow to $70 billion by January. Without help, unemployed renters will continue to accumulate bills they cannot pay. The House of Representatives passed $100 billion in rental assistance back in May, but the Senate has done nothing.

I call on my representative, Mike Doyle, and my senators, Bob Casey and Pat Toomey, to pass legislation that ensures that the millions of Americans struggling with rent get rental assistance and do not become homeless.

In 2020, in the United States of America, you should not have to win the lottery to make rent.

Ben Callaway

Lawrenceville