Waivers

HUD PIH to Hold Conference Call on CARES Act Funding on July 9th at 4 pm ET

~ Chris Campbell ~ 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 July 9th, 2020 at 4 pm ET, which will provide updates on CARES Act funding, the second round of waivers, the eviction moratorium, HAP funding and new FAQs.  

Please click here for a calendar invitation. 

The Department invites PHAs to submit questions and 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: 0410949## 

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: 0120428# 

Step 2: Join the conference on your computer. 

Entry Link: https://ems8.intellor.com/login/829379 

Additional information and resources on COVID-19 are available at www.nahro.org/coronavirus.  

HUD Publishes Eviction Prevention and Stability Toolkit

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

Earlier today, HUD published an eviction prevention and stability toolkit. The toolkit consists of six documents that offer “information and resources to PHAs and HCV landlords on ways to stabilize families during and after COVID-19.” The documents are listed below.

  • PHA brochure – this brochure “contains information on permitting repayment agreements and updating repayment agreement policies, adopting policies for retroactive interim reexaminations, directing outreach to households behind on rent, reviewing policies on minimum rent and financial hardship exemptions, and positioning residents for stability during and after COVID-19.”
  • Tenant brochure – this brochure provides helpful information to help tenants avoid eviction through preventative strategies. It also provides tenants with information related to COVID-19; information related to protections for domestic and sexual violence; and other resources related to tenant needs (e.g., disaster distress helpline, unemployment insurance website, economic impact payments website, etc.).
  • Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) landlord flyer – this flyer provides information for landlords to avoid evicting participants.
  • Repayment agreement guidance – this document “centralizes HUD guidance on repayment agreements for PHAs and HCV landlords.”
  • Sample repayment agreements – sample repayment agreements for public housing and the housing choice voucher program.
  • COVID-19 resident needs assessment survey – a survey that may be used to “identify resident needs and potential reasons for nonpayment of rent.”

The full toolkit can be found on HUD’s Public and Indian Housing (PIH) coronavirus resources webpage.

The toolkit and other resources can also be found on NAHRO’s coronavirus resource page.

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 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.]

HUD PIH Posts May 15th Conference Call with PHAs

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

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.

HUD’s Friday Call Review: Changes to PIC and REAC reporting requirements and Remote Video Inspections

~ Chris Campbell ~ Leave a comment

On May 15, HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) hosted a conference call providing updates on changes to PIC and REAC PHAS reporting requirements and operational planning strategies included in the CARES Act.   

Form 50058 Reporting Requirements: HUD will continue to use IMS/PIC to calculate funding allocations and carry out program evaluations and oversight. HUD urges PHAs to submit required Form-50058 transactions in a timely manner to prevent backlog.  

  • The time period for Form-50058 submission has been extended from 60 to 90 days, with the period of availability ending December 31st, 2020. 
  • PHAs that submit their forms during the extended timeframe will see a warning error upon submission, but the forms will be accepted, if there are no fatal errors present. 
  • For new submissions where the PHA does not have a date of previous HQS inspection, enter 01/01/1900. If there has been a date previously entered, use that date instead until a new date is available.  
  • Due to the temporary suspension of Community Service and Self-Sufficiency Requirement (CSSR), PHAs should mark all household members “Pending” unless they are designated as “Exempt.” 

PHAS Scoring: Per PIH Notice 2020-05, REAC is waiving PHAS scoring requirements through the end of the year unless a PHA requests a new PHAS score release. HUD will begin re-scoring with fiscal years ending March 21, 2021, and will notify PHAs 30 days prior to resumption in accordance with local coronavirus restrictions and health protocols.  

EIV Requirements: HUD is waiving Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) requirements through July 31, 2020 in favor of allowing tenants to electronically self-certify with their PHA. However, HUD urges PHAs to download EIV reports during the waiver period, as the data will be overwritten when EIV monitoring requirements resume. HUD reminds PHAs they remain responsible for protecting tenants’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII), and that privacy guidelines will not change in response to the pandemic. 

Remote Video Inspections (RVI): RVIs are HQS inspections conducted via proxy and are intended to provide PHAs additional flexibility to fulfill inspection requirements during the pandemic. As this is a new method of conducting inspections, HUD will follow up with further guidance and a best practices document.  

NAHRO provides additional COVID-19 information at www.nahro.org/coronavirus.

Postponed – NAHRO Presents Webinar on CARES Act Funding and Waivers

~ Georgi Banna ~ Leave a comment

UPDATE – The Managing During COVID-19” series: “PHA to PHA Best Practices webinar scheduled for Wednesday, May 20 from 2-3 pm eastern time has been postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience this postponement has caused. Best practices on CARES Act funding and waivers will be discussed in future webinars. Information on future webinars will be posted at www.nahroblog.org. Thanks again.

Tune in this coming Wednesday, May 20, from 2-3 p.m. eastern time for the latest installment of our complimentary Managing During COVID-19” series: “PHA to PHA Best Practices! Your fellow NAHRO members will discuss which waivers they’re using and what they’re spending their funding on. Learn from your peers, ask questions, and share your own ideas!

Click Here to Register for the complimentary webinar Managing During COVID-19: Sharing Best Practices: Waivers and Funding!

Mainstream Voucher Allocation Notice Published

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

Earlier today, HUD published Notice PIH 2020-09 titled “CARES Act Mainstream Funding for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) Awarded Funding Allocations in the 2017 and 2019 Competitions.” This notice establishes the process for allocating new Mainstream vouchers according to the requirements of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Mainstream vouchers are vouchers that serve households that include a non-elderly person with disabilities.

Eligible PHAs are those that previously received a Mainstream voucher allocation through either:

A list of those PHAs can be found here (eligible PHAs are those PHAs with entries under the “2017/2018 Awards” column and the “2019 Awards” column).

Eligible PHAs will receive an increase in Mainstream voucher units of thirty percent. If an increase results in a fractional voucher, HUD will round up. Increased budget authority will be calculated based on per unit cost using the most recent data available to HUD for each PHA. A PHA may decline this increased allocation. Administrative funds will be provided in accordance with PIH 2020-04 (a notice implementing the Housing Choice Voucher program in calendar year 2020).

The Department will publish additional guidance on receiving and using extraordinary administrative fees (these fees are not provided in this allocation). Additionally, Mainstream voucher programs will also be eligible for additional CARES act supplemental HAP funding, the distribution of which will be detailed in forthcoming guidance.

The COVID-19-related waivers detailed in PIH Notice 2020-05 are applicable to Mainstream vouchers.

The complete notice can be found here.

HUD PIH to Hold Conference Call on Friday (5/15/2020 at 3:30 pm ET)

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing will hold a conference call on Friday (5/15/2020 at 3:30 pm ET). Planned topics for discussion include the following:

  • PHAS waivers including physical inspections;
  • Protection of personally identifiable information;
  • Remote video inspections best practices; and
  • Information on a quick guide created to assist housing authorities with strategies and planning related to the impact of the pandemic on communities and stakeholders.

Call in details may be found below.

Suggested Attendees: PHA Executive Directors or Operations Managers, PHA occupancy specialists, PHA staff performing both PH and HCV HQS inspections, and PHA accountants.
See below for call-in and login information:
Step 1: Dial into the conference.
Dial-in: 1-877-369-5243 or 1-617-668-3633
Access Code: 0339017##
Need an international dial-in number?
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: 0154662#
Step 2: Join the conference on your computer.
Entry Link: https://ems8.intellor.com/login/826642

A calendar invitation may be found here.

NAHRO Webinar: Managing During COVID-19: Funding, Flexibility, and Fulfilling our Mission; May 5, 2020 at 2pm Est

~ Georgi Banna ~ Leave a comment

NAHRO would like to invite you to a complimentary webinar on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 2pm eastern time – Managing During COVID-19: Funding, Flexibility, and Fulfilling our Mission.

Housing agencies are responding in real-time to the coronavirus and its impact on day-to-day operations and the residents they serve. Hear from federal officials and NAHRO on available resources and flexibilities provided by Congress and being implemented by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

You will also hear from local housing officials on how they are adapting their programs in the current environment.

We will be joined on the webinar by:

  • R. Hunter Kurtz, Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Patricia Wells, CME, NAHRO Senior Vice-President, Executive Director, Oakland Housing Authority, CA
  • David S. Gates, CS-PHM, CSO-PH, CME, CMPO, Executive Director, Housing Authority of the County of Lonoke, AR

Bring your questions and comments and join your fellow PHAs for this interactive webinar!

Register for Managing During COVID-19: Funding, Flexibility, and Fulfilling our Mission!