Author: Tushar Gurjal

HUD PIH to Hold Conference Call on COVID-19 Best Practices for PHAs on June 16th at 3 pm ET

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

In an email sent earlier today, HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) stated that they will be holding a conference call on June 16, 2020 at 3 pm ET, which will feature 3 PHAs that will share PHA best practices during COVID-19. The Department invites PHAs to submit their own best practices and submit topics for future calls to PIH@hud.gov. Call in information is available below.

Step 1: Dial into the conference.
Dial-in: 1-877-369-5243 or 1-617-668-3633
Access Code: 0576321##
If the automated recording indicates the conference is full, please use overflow information:
Dial In: 1-877-369-5243 or 1-617-668-3633 Access Code: 0153620##
Step 2: Join the conference on your computer.
Entry Link: https://ems8.intellor.com/login/827974

A calendar invitation can be accessed by clicking here.

HUD Posts new FAQ on PBVs and Repositioning

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HUD’s Office of Housing Choice Vouchers has published a Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) document about project-based vouchers (PBVs) and public housing repositioning. Topics covered in the document include the following (taken from the table of contents):

  • Overview of Public Housing Repositioning Options;
  • Project-basing TPVs: General;
  • Project-basing TPVs: SAC Removal Tool Differences;
  • TPVs and Voucher Management System Reporting;
  • Project Basing: Existing Housing;
  • Competitive and Noncompetitive Selection;
  • Public Housing-Only Agencies;
  • PBV HAP Contract;
  • New Construction/Rehabilitation;
  • PBVs and PHA Annual Plan;
  • PBV General;
  • PBVs and Section 18;
  • PBVs and Section 22; and
  • Traditional PBVs in RAD Covered Projects.

Additionally, the document cites the appropriate statutory, regulatory, or guidance (e.g., PIH Notices) authority in its answers.

The FAQ may be found here.

HUD Posts COVID-19 Toolkit

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The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) has posted a COVID-19 Toolkit on the PIH Coronavirus webpage.

The toolkit consists of the following documents:

  • COVID-19 Quick Guide – a nine page document that provides PHAs “with considerations as they develop strategies to address the impact of the pandemic on their staff.”
  • COVID-19 Interaction Playbook for Housing Partners – an eight slide presentation (in PDF format) that lists points for safe distancing of staff, safe distancing of resident, safe distribution, responding to confirmed cases, other findings (e.g., residents will have reduced incomes, residents may not have access to the internet, etc.), case studies, and a slide with additional resources. [Google Chrome is the preferred browser to view this document.]
  • COVID-19 Guidance for Housing Partners – a one page document with points on safe goods and services distribution practices and safe visiting practices.
  • Coronavirus Prevention Flyer – a one page document created for residents.
  • PHA Disaster Readiness and Preparation Guide – a 28 page document from 2016 on general disaster readiness and preparation from HUD.

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials is pleased that HUD created and distributed these best practices and resources.

These resources and other COVID-19 related resources, can be found at www.nahro.org/coronavirus.

[6/10/2020 edit – added NAHRO’s COVID-19 resources page.]

HUD Extends Section 3 Reporting Deadline until July 31, 2020

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

Earlier today, HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity sent an email to PHAs extending the deadline for submission of all Section 3 annual reports until July 31, 2020 because of the COVID-19 event. This does not impact reporting for agencies with deadlines due after the extension date. In the email, the Department also reminds PHAs that the SPEARS system transmits emails to agencies with reports due or overdue, and these emails should be ignored for those PHAs complying with this extension.

[6/10/2020 edit – typographical correction.]

Mainstream HCV Two-Year Tool Now Available

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I received word from a HUD official that the Mainstream Two-Year Tool is now available. For PHAs with Mainstream voucher programs, the Mainstream Two-Year Tool is within the regular Two-Year Tool and can be accessed by clicking the “Access Additional Tools” button. Additionally, the tool provides information on cash management to be used to assess the need for additional disbursements. “Reserve reconciliations” will be sent this week for PHAs with Mainstream programs.

The Two-Year Tool may be accessed here.

HUD PIH Updates COVID-19 FAQ for PHAs (Version 4)

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Earlier today, HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing published its update to its Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) document on COVID-19. This updated brings the document to version 4. NAHRO staff is still in the process of reading through the document.

The updated PIH FAQ for COVID-19 (version 4) may be found here.

RAD COVID-19 FAQ Updated

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

In a RADBlast! email earlier today, HUD noted that they have updated one of their COVID-19 FAQs with additional information on RAD conversions during the COVID-19 event. According to the email, this update includes “further guidance on completing environmental reports when professionals may not be able to access the interior or exterior of the site . . . [and] provides an option that would give PHAs more time to execute new Section 8 leases at the point of conversion.”

The updated FAQ may be found here.

[5/21/2020 – edited for clarity.]

Two Additional HCV Guidebook Chapters Published

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The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) guidebook continues to be updated by HUD. Most recently, chapters on Utility Allowances and Special Housing Types have been added. Currently available chapters include the following:

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials is excited that HUD is continuing to update its HCV guidebook. We enthusiastically await future chapters and the regular and timely updating of the guidebook.

The full guidebook may be accessed here.

HUD PIH Posts May 15th Conference Call with PHAs

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Earlier today, HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) sent an email announcing that it was posting a recording of its conference call with PHAs on May 15th. The call was titled “Navigating PIC and REAC PHAS Reporting and Operational Planning Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

Our overview of the call can be found here.

Slides from the call can be found here.

A recording of the call can be found here or below.

Repositioning Webinar Series

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HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) is holding a series of webinars to help PHAs understand the repositioning process and identify strategies and resources to complete the repositioning process. All webinars will be held between 1 pm and 3 pm ET. Topics may be found below.

Webinar TopicsDatesRegistration
Developing a Repositioning StrategyMay 13, 2020
Options for Scattered-Site UnitsJune 3, 2020Register Now
Options for 50-and-Under PHAsJune 24, 2020Register Now
RAD and Section 18 BlendsJuly 22, 2020Register Now
Resident ConsiderationsAugust 12, 2020Register Now
Streamlined Voluntary ConversionSeptember 2, 2020Register Now
Options for Obsolete UnitsSeptember 30, 2020Register Now
Common PHA Board QuestionsOctober 28, 2020Register Now
PHA CloseoutNovember 18, 2020Register Now

Additional information may be found here.