More than 6 million households missed their rent or mortgage payment in September, as Congress stalls on coronavirus stimulus aid.

More than 6 million households failed to make their rent or mortgage payments in September, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Research Institute for Housing America, a sign that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic is weighing on jobless Americans as Congress stalls on relief measures.

Over the summer, rent and mortgage payment collections improved as states resumed business reopenings and more Americans returned to work.

In September, 8.5% of renters, or 2.82 million households, missed, delayed or made a reduced payment while 7.1%, or 3.37 million homeowners, missed their mortgage payment.

Millions of student debt borrowers, meanwhile, have fallen behind on their payments, which could have ramifications on their credit, experts caution

In September, roughly 26 million people missed their student loan payment

The proportion of student debt borrowers who missed a monthly payment has remained steady at 40% since May. 

Student debt borrowers receiving unemployment rose from 3% in early April to 8% by the end of September. In August, the Trump administration extended relief from March and suspended student loan payments, stopped collections and waived interest on federally held student loans until Dec

student loans

Under the CARES Act passed in March, homeowners with loans who are struggling financially because of the pandemic can request a forbearance for up to 180 days, which may be extended for an additional period of up to another six months if borrowers are still under financial duress

Forbearance allows borrowers to pause or reduce their mortgage payments, but they still have to repay those missed payments in the future