COVID-19 News
In response to the mounting Coronavirus public health crisis, NH&RA launched a dedicated section of our website to keep stakeholders apprised of the evolving guidance. The webpage lists all news stories with the COVID-19 tag in the order in which they were added and stories can be filtered by state.
Indiana Extends Nine Percent Application Deadline; Suspends Four Percent Applications
The Indiana Housing & Community Development (IHCDA) changed the 2021 nine percent application due date from July 27 to 120 days after the termination of the Governor’s Executive Order for stay at home restriction.
Connecticut Issues Safe Workplace Rules for Construction Sites
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) published Safe Workplace Rules for Essential Employers. In addition to general guidelines for all essential employers, DECD included a section specifically regarding construction sites:
Colorado Hosts Compliance Q&A Webinar on April 16
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) Compliance staff will hold a webinar at 10:00 am MT on April 16 to review its COVID-19 guidance to date. Register here.
New York Governor Signs Executive Order to Expedite Essential Developments
On April 12, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.16 to help expedite the formation of essential developments, including affordable housing and homeless shelters.
California TCAC Extends LIHTC Deadlines
At the April 3 California Tax Credit Allocation (TCAC) meeting, the following scheduling and deadline changes were made:
California Houses People Experiencing Homelessness in Hotels During COVID-19
Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California has become the first state in the nation to secure FEMA approval to provide safe isolation capacity for tens of thousands of people experiencing homelessness in California in order to protect them and the state from COVID-19.
Alabama Allows E-Income Verification, E-Signatures and Suspension of Tenant Services
The Alabama Housing Finance Authority Compliance Department is allowing both electronic income verification and electronic signatures while encouraging social distancing when collecting necessary documentation from residents.
Housing Matters: Why Supporting Renters during COVID-19 Is Critical for Housing Market Stability
This Housing Matters post explains how policy solutions at the federal, state and local levels can help the rental housing ecosystem recover from the current recession.
Urban Institute: Increased CDBG Funding Only Works If Grantees Have Flexibility in How They Use It
A recent Urban Institute blog post examines the flexibilities states, counties and cities will need from HUD to successfully and efficiently use the new $5 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the CARES Act for COVID-19 relief efforts.
WinnCompanies’ CONNECT Platform Helps Residents Navigate Available Resources
The WinnCompanies created a resident-facing version of their CONNECT platform so residents (or anyone) in any state can navigate needed resources on their own as needed. Use CONNECT to search for free and reduced cost services like food, healthcare, job opportunities, benefits enrollment, rent assistance and more.
AHTCC Calls on Congress and Administration to Support Affordable Housing
In an Affordable Housing Finance op-ed Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition’s Executive Director, Emily Cadik, examines the additional relief needed to build more housing.
HUD Multifamily Posts COVID-19 Guidance Call; New Q&A
The Office of Multifamily Housing at HUD posted a recording of its most recent COVID-19 response call. HUD will continue to post recordings on its SoundCloud page due to the overwhelming demand and technical issues on HUD’s conference line.