Appropriations Committee approves the 2021 fiscal year THUD funding bill, Eviction Prevention and Stability Toolkit announced on July 8, Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority to renovate a Modesto hotel into apartments, and more.
Breaking news
Appropriations Committee approves fiscal year 2021 Transportation-Housing and Urban Development funding bill
The 2021 fiscal year funding provides $158.3 billion in base budgetary resources. $75 billion of these funds are allocated to support the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
HUD announced the Eviction Prevention and Stability Toolkit on Wednesday, July 8
The eviction moratorium enacted by the CARES Act ends on July 25, 2020. To help alleviate hardships during the pandemic, HUD created the Eviction Prevention and Stability Toolkit. This toolkit "is composed of a PHA best practices guide, tenant brochure with tips to avoid eviction, HCV landlord flyer to encourage engagement with tenants before the moratorium expires, and repayment agreement guidance in addition to sample documents to provide increased clarity for landlords and renters utilizing the resources." Read more
Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority will turn a Modesto hotel into apartments
The Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority recently purchased a 186-room Modesto hotel. The agency has plans to renovate the building into studio apartments for retail workers, restaurant servers, and other moderate-income workers. Read more
Four Alaska villages receive grants in first round of HUD program
$3.3 million of the $15 million Indian Community Development Block Grant, Imminent Threat funds will be spread across four villages in Alaska. The grant will be used on projects that will solve COVID-19 related housing issues like overcrowding or a lack of quarantine capabilities. Read more
Cook Inlet Housing Authority and artists collaborated to reduce loneliness for isolated seniors
Artists worked with the agency to bring art to seniors living in CIHA's buildings. So far, creative projects have included sculptures, a garland made from written hearts, a live parking-lot concert, and posters. Read more
What we're reading
6 ways to prevent post-COVID vacancy
"Given the profound personal and economic harm caused by COVID-19, even with robust prevention efforts, an increase in property deterioration and vacancy will be unavoidable for many local governments. Anticipating this, local governments should also begin to explore ways they can build the capacity of local tools, such as code enforcement, delinquent property tax enforcement, and land bank systems to address these challenges effectively." Read more
High-proximity jobs and household vulnerabilities
"Overcrowded households have more than one person per room. If a household member is exposed to COVID-19, there is typically not sufficient space in the home to properly self-isolate. Older adults are also more susceptible to the virus. In multigenerational households, there are often complex care arrangements between older adults, their children, and sometimes their grandchildren. In multigenerational households with a high-contact worker, it could also be difficult to maintain this care without exposing older adults to the virus." Read more
