Beyonce donates $500,000 to people facing eviction due to COVID-19

Beyonce will donate $500,000 to people facing eviction due to the coronavirus pandemic through her BeyGOOD charity foundation.

Grants of $5,000 (£3,736) will be handed out to 100 recipients in the US in late January.

They will be among those who have been left most at risk of losing their home due to the planned end of government funding that has protected people who fall behind on their rent from being evicted.

A statement released by the singer’s charity foundation said: “Beyonce is continuing her heart of support and helping where needed most.

“Phase Two of the BeyGOOD Impact Fund will now help those impacted by the housing crisis.

“The housing moratorium is set to end on 26 December, resulting in mortgage foreclosures and rental evictions.

“Many families are impacted, due to the pandemic that resulted in job loss, sickness and overall economy downturn.”

Housing moratoriums have prevented landlords from evicting tenants who have been left unable to pay rent due to losing income during the coronavirus pandemic.

When lifted, renters will be expected to start paying pack their rent, set up a payment plan with their landlords, or otherwise risk being evicted.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimated that 9.2 million people currently renting in the US lost their income because of the pandemic, putting them behind on rent.

Around 40 million people are considered to be at risk of eviction due to the country’s housing crisis, according to the Aspen Institute.

Current protections will come to a sudden end on Boxing Day if President Donald Trump refuses to sign a massive COVID-19 relief and government funding bill.

Mr Trump is spending the Christmas period golfing in Florida and has shown no sign that he will sign the bill, having argued that it does not provide enough financial support.

If he refuses to sign the deal, it will force a federal government shutdown, in addition to delaying aid checks and halting unemployment benefits and eviction protections in the most dire stretch of the pandemic.

The first round of applications for the BeyGood grants will open on 7 January, with a second round of applications opening in February.

Those applying must submit their applications to the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People by the deadline.

Beyonce’s foundation has provided other support throughout the pandemic, including a small business impact fund for black-owned businesses that has so far awarded more than 250 small businesses with $10,000 grants.

In September, Beyonce donated a further $1m in funds.