HUD has recently released an update to its Public Housing Occupancy guidebook. The guidebook is being published as chapters are completed. The Public Housing Occupancy guidebook provides PHAs, families, and other stakeholders with a one-stop resource to assist in the administration of the public housing program. The guidebook consolidates the most up-to-date guidance outlined in PIH notices, regulatory requirements, Federal Register Notices, and other forms of guidance issued by HUD.

The updated Public Housing Occupancy guidebook now includes chapters on income determination, reexaminations, and utilities. The guidebook can be found here.

On June 17, the White House Opportunity Zone Council, lead by HUD Secretary Ben Carson, delivered a report to the Administration outlining best practices and examples of revitalization that relate to Opportunity Zone investments. According to its press release, “President Trump established the Council to support the Administration’s pledge to encourage public and private investment in urban and economically distressed areas, including Opportunity Zones.”

Established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Opportunity Zones are a new community development program that encourages long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities. The Opportunity Zone Program provides tax incentives for investors to re-invest unrealized capital gains into Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOF). QOFs are private sector investment vehicles that invest at least 90 percent of their capital in Opportunity Zones. The report issued to the administration includes case and best practices observed across the country.

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On Monday, President Trump proclaimed June as 2020 National Homeownership Month.  A press release issued by HUD notes that homeownership is a vital wealth-building tool for millions of American families, as well as a safe haven during the COVID-19 pandemic. The press release points to HUD work promoting homeownership, including through the Federal Housing Administration, which with a $1.3 trillion portfolio is the world’s largest mortgage insurer.  

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.]

Yesterday, HUD released its second allocation of Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding included in the CARES Act. The amount allocated totaled $2.96 billion. HUD will immediately begin distributing award letters notifying ESG Program recipients of their second allocation of CARES funding. The funds are available to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

Eligible recipients generally include states, metropolitan cities, urban counties and territories. Local governments may subgrant ESG funds to public housing agencies (PHAs) and local redevelopment authorities. 

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