News

In “Pandemic’s Toll on Housing: Falling Behind, Doubling Up,” the New York Times draws attention to the housing insecurity renters face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, even with eviction moratoriums in place.

NH&RA submitted comments to the Federal Reserve on its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) advanced notice of proposed rulemaking, urging the Fed to avoid making any changes to CRA that would decrease investment in LIHTC.

At 2 p.m. ET on February 23, HUD’s Office of Housing Counseling (OHC) will hold a webinar to help owners and managers of HUD-assisted or insured multifamily properties who are looking for resources to assist their tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 2021, the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund will administer eight program rounds—their six existing programs; the new Small Dollar Loan Program (SDL Program); and the $1.25 billion CDFI Rapid Response Program (CDFI RRP) for COVID-19 pandemic relief.

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs voted 17-7 to approve Representative Marcia Fudge’s (D-OH) nomination to be HUD Secretary. Six Republicans broke party lines to approve her nomination: Senators Kevin Cramer (ND), John Kennedy (LA), Cynthia Lummis (WY), Jerry Moran (KS), Mike Rounds (SD) and Tim Scott (SC).

The Department of the Treasury released a list of state and local governments that will receive grants through the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. Each state received a minimum of $200 million and jurisdictions with populations greater than 200,000 were eligible to claim the money to distribute.

HUD and Enterprise Community Partners will host a webinar from 1-3 p.m. ET on February 17 on the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and Section 18 new blend options described in PIH Notice 2021-07. Register here.

Last week the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a nomination hearing for Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) to be HUD Secretary.

In a new executive order, President Joe Biden established the National Climate Task Force, which aims to facilitate the organization and deployment of a government-wide approach to combat the climate crisis.

The new order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which extends the eviction moratorium through March 31, also clarifies that residents who previously submitted a declaration should not be asked to resubmit and should have continued protections until March 31, 2021. 

The Internal Revenue Service will hold a virtual hearing on its Average Income Test proposed rule on March 24 at noon ET. Register by March 22 by emailing publichearings@irs.gov or contacting Regina Johnson at (202) 317–5177. NH&RA submitted comments and will attend the public hearing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended its eviction moratorium through March 31, 2021. In his American Rescue Plan, President Joe Biden calls on Congress to extend its current eviction moratorium, which expires on January 31, 2021, through September 30, 2021.