COVID-19

A new NCSHA report said that as of September 14, between 10 and 14 million renter households were behind on rent between $12 and $17 billion. The households are home to 23 to 24 million people. The overdue rents will grow to between $25 and $34 billion when the CDC eviction moratorium ends on December 31.

The New Jersey Housing Mortgage and Finance Agency (NJHMFA) announced the expansion and reopening of its Small Landlord Emergency Grant (SLEG) Program to assist vulnerable renters across the state by covering their missed rent from April through July 2020. The program reopened on September 28 and will run until Tuesday, October 13 at 4 p.m.

Governor Ralph Northam announced the expansion of the Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP). Landlords can now apply to receive financial assistance for current and past-due rental payments dating back to April 1, 2020 on behalf of their tenants who qualify for RMRP.

The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie in repose at the Supreme Court today and tomorrow and lie in state in the Capitol on Friday, the first woman to ever receive the honor. The passing of Supreme Court of the U.S. (SCOTUS) Justice Ginsburg dramatically changes the legislative outlook for the remainder of 2020.

HUD published Notice Housing H-2020-09/PIH-2020-26 on providing supplemental COVID-19 guidance for PHAs and owners converting properties through RAD. The Notice describes the availability of Operating Fund Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds for public housing properties that have converted or that will convert in calendar year 2020 and that are still supported through public housing appropriations.

In July, 77 percent of adults said they were doing at least OK financially, up from 72 percent in early April, and 75 percent in October 2019. This increase is likely due to some people returning to work, as well as the availability of assistance programs either from the government or from charitable organizations.

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) announced the second round of awards for Homekey. More than $236 million was awarded by the Department of Housing and Community Development for 20 projects in 12 California communities, totaling 1,810 units. The average cost to Homekey is just over $130,000 per unit and brings the total awarded under Homekey to $312.7 million to date.

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation posted Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) rental assistance application, instructions and documentation guidance. Florida Housing also posted Recap of Tenant Income Certifications templates to request rental subsidy after collecting completed and signed resident applications and associated documentation for each month the household is seeking rental subsidy.

The Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) is extending the Assisted Housing Relief Program (AHRP) to cover rent delinquencies through September. Applications will be accepted starting September 21 and close on September 30, 2020.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) will hold a virtual QAP information hearing from 9 – 11 a.m. ET on September 25.

RIHousing is utilizing $500,000 in funding from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) to establish the COVID-19 Emergency Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program.

Through the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP), eligible landlords can apply on behalf of their tenants to receive financial assistance for past-due rental payments dating back to April 1, 2020. Funding for RMRP is through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.