Number of tenants behind on rent doubled during COVID-19 pandemic By Chris Williams The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the housing rental market. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the housing rental market as new numbers show that the number of tenants who fell behind on rent doubled in 2021. According to PolicyLink nearly 6.4 million households, or 15%, are behind on their rent. That’s more than double the percentage in 2017 when 7% of household renters were behind on their rent. However, the number of indebted renters has fallen from 19% in January. The country’s estimated rent debt is more than $21 billion.