H.B. No. 578 Summary

• Appropriates $20,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2020 for homelessness and rental assistance programs

• Directs the Ohio Housing Finance Agency to support homeless shelters in the state and provide emergency rental assistance to individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

• Requires the Ohio Housing Finance Agency to develop rules establishing an emergency rental assistance program that supports individuals affected by COVID-19 and Director of Health orders issued on or after March 9, 2020

• Declares the act an emergency measure to take immediate effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the state's homeless population and at-risk renters facing housing loss from economic hardship