Almost 1/3 of US Renters Didn’t Pay April Rent

It's no secret that people around the world are suffering financially as businesses and cities are shut down due to COVID-19, and it's definitely happening here in the US as well.

We've been seeing unemployment claims numbers rise, here in Idaho and nation wide. But to put in perspective just how bad it is: nearly one third of people who rent apartments here in the US, did not pay their rent in April. Almost one in three.

According to new data released Wednesday by the National Multifamily Housing Council, nearly a third of all U.S. apartment renters didn't pay their April rent.

The Wall Street Journal reports that only 69 percent of apartment tenants paid their April rent during the first week of the month, down from 81 percent in the first week of March an 82 percent in April of 2019.

Some of these tenants are protected from eviction by various local and federal laws, but when you really think about those numbers, you would have to imagine that those people are struggling further than just being able to pay rent. They're probably having issues paying other bills as well.

By the way, if you need financial help, people can expect to start seeing stimulus checks as early as next week.