Dear DHRC members and partners,
Many thanks to all who joined this afternoon’s National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing. Over 2,000 organizers, advocates, reporters, and legislative staff attended to learn about the most pressing needs for homeless and housing-insecure individuals. You can find a recording of the call and up-to-date news and resources on NLIHC’s website at: https://nlihc.org/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness.
On the call, Rachel Heller from CHAPA in Boston talked about the need for federal action to provide emergency rental assistance and homelessness prevention tools. Erin Burns-Maine discussed the extensive work at NYCHA to provide deep cleaning for public housing developments, but urged Congress to provide much-needed resources to cover these unexpected costs. Kate Speltz from King County, WA outlined the different strategies they’ve been utilizing to decongest shelters, while Alison Eisinger from the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness spoke to the need for urgency. Allies in the disability, immigrant, homelessness, and healthcare community – Marcie Roth from World Institute on Disability, Laura Esquivel from Hispanic Federation, Jerry Jones from National Alliance to End Homelessness, and Barbara DiPietro from National Health Care for the Homeless – highlighted the unique needs of marginalized populations. Beth Cooper from the office of Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and NLIHC’s Sarah Saadian shared federal updates and urged advocates to continue to press for the resources they need.
To that end, we ask everyone to call your Representatives and Senators TODAY and TOMORROW to urge Congress to include resources in the current Coronavirus response package to address the housing and health needs of people experiencing homelessness who are at the greatest risk of an outbreak. The House-passed version does not include any resources to address homelessness/housing, and we are working hard to ensure that critical resources are added before the bill becomes final.
The DHRC will continue to push for a broad array of resources and protections, including emergency rental assistance and eviction prevention assistance, a national moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, and emergency funds for homelessness service providers, housing authorities, and housing providers, among other recommendations. For more information, see DHRC’s full list of recommendations, which we will continue to expand and refine. To participate in the DHRC Policy Working Group, please contact Sarah Saadian at ssaadian@nlihc.org.
Finally, it was mentioned on the call that NLIHC signed on to a letter headed by the World Institute on Disability and others urging all levels of government to put in place strategies to address the needs of people with disabilities throughout all phases of the outbreak. To learn more, contact Marcie at marcie@wid.org.
Additional updates below.
Additional updates below.
Coronavirus Update, Monday, March 16, 2020
National Updates
Congress
A COVID-19 emergency package was passed by a bipartisan vote of 363-40 on the night of March 13. The vote comes after a tentative agreement was reached between House Democrats and the Administration on emergency funding for COVID-19 response. It includes two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave for some workers. It also enhances unemployment insurance and food assistance. While the bill is much needed, the legislation does not include critical resources for people experiencing homelessness, who are at a greater risk of a Coronavirus outbreak. NLIHC released a statement calling out the oversight.
House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) sent a letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson asking for the release of greater guidance and other assistance to help low-income families and the organizations that serve them deal with the COVID-19 crisis.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) released a letter pressing President Donald Trump to issue an immediate, nationwide moratorium on all foreclosures on GSE or Federally owned or insured properties.
FEMA
The President announced a national emergency declaration, freeing up over $50 billion from the Disaster Relief Fund to be used to combat the epidemic.
FEMA announced that they would be allowing reimbursement under its Public Assistance Program for activities including emergency protective measures, National Guard costs, and other measures necessary to protect public health and safety. The FEMA assistance will be provided at a 75% Federal cost share.
Reporting
The Washington Post covered the increasing risk to the homeless caused by COVID-19.
An article from the Brookings Institute covered ways in which homeless populations and individuals living in substandard or unaffordable housing are uniquely susceptible to an epidemic.
Advocacy
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is publishing COVID-19/Homelessness resources on their website.
The National Healthcare for the Homeless Council is collecting resources on COVID-19 and homelessness on their website.
Novogradic Consulting has a new blog post with policies from state allocating agencies.
The National MultiFamily Housing Council called on lawmakers to provide direct financial assistance to renters.
The Coalition on Human Needs sent a letter to the Senate asking for swift action on housing, healthcare, and economic needs for low-income Americans.
State Actions
California
California plans to utilize hotels and motels to shelter individuals experiencing homelessness as the COVID-19 threat grows.
The State of California’s Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency released guidance for homeless assistance providers for dealing with COVID-19.
Connecticut
The state of Connecticut moved to prevent any utility shutoffs for the duration of the public health emergency put in place by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont.
Delaware
The Delaware Justice of the Peace has postponed all landlord/tenant proceedings until after May 1.
Kentucky
Kentucky Courts cancelled evictions proceedings until April 10. Evictions that are already in progress in some Kentucky counties are being executed.
Maryland
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan banned evictions for the duration of the state of emergency.
Massachusetts
Lawmakers and officials in Massachusetts are calling for measures to prevent housing evictions as COVID-19 spreads in the region.
New York
New York will be suspending evictions until further notice.
North Carolina
Lawmakers approved a 90-day ban on evictions proceedings in the state.
Ohio
Activists are pushing for a statewide eviction ban in Ohio.
Oregon
Pressure is mounting on the Oregon government to enact an eviction ban as COVID-19 continues to spread in the state.
South Carolina
A SC legislator has introduced legislation that would place a pause on evictions in the state for the next six months as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Washington
State legislators agreed to allocate $170 million to assist in homelessness coronavirus response.
Local News
Austin
Travis County will not see any evictions or utility shut-offs until after April 1st.
Baltimore
Baltimore City Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young halted all evictions until schools have reopened. The move comes after the Baltimore City Council – led by Council President Brandon Scott – passed a resolution calling for the move.
Boston
The Boston Housing Authority notified the state Housing Court Thursday that it will not pursue “non-essential eviction actions” for as long as Governor Charlie Baker’s declared state of emergency lasts.
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless released a set of recommendations to be taken by the City of Chicago to assist individuals experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.
Cook County announced that it would be halting evictions for the next 30 days.
Los Angeles
The Los Angeles government order a moratorium on evictions.
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released a list of actions it has taken in light of the pandemic.
Miami
The Miami-Dade Police Department announced that it would be halting all evictions following an emergency declaration.
New Orleans
Judges in New Orleans announced that they would be halting all pending evictions until the end of April.
New York City
New York City announced a moratorium on evictions as schools and nightlife are shutdown.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia has suspended evictions during the COVID-19 crisis.
Portland
A group of unhoused women claims that a Portland motel owner ordered them to leave their rooms they were hoping to use as shelter during the epidemic. The nonprofit that paid for the rooms is alleging discrimination.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said that he supported a ban on evictions and rent increases during the public health crisis. However, there have been no moves to push those ideas through the City Council.
San Jose
The San Jose City Council approved a proposal to prevent evictions while the Coronavirus emergency is occurring. The California Apartment Association said that they would support a commonsense moratorium on evictions. The moratorium would take effect upon passage and remain in effect for 30 days with the possibility of extensions.
San Francisco/Bay Area
The Bay area region largely has enacted a ban on evictions during the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, San Francisco and six of it’s surrounding counties issued a shelter-in-place order starting tomorrow morning. That order does not apply to unhoused individuals.
Seattle
Seattle is also halting any power or water shut-off’s due to nonpayment during the city’s coronavirus emergency.
The city also put in place an emergency ban on evictions.
Washington, D.C.
DC City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson introduced a measure banning evictions in the city.
Federal Guidance:
Center for Disease Control
Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take Now to Prepare for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
A basic overview from the CDC for Healthcare facilities preparing to deal with COVID-19 with a focus on workforce notification and coordination with public agencies.
The first guidance issued for homeless service providers from the CDC. Includes checklists for screening, isolating, and coordinating with clients at shelters.
These are disinfectant guidelines for schools, community centers, public businesses, where there is a suspected case of COVID-19.
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Infectious Disease Toolkit for CoCs
This set of resources includes information on preventing and managing the spread of infectious disease for people experiencing homelessness, in shelters, and encampments. It has guidelines for emergency hygiene practices, communicating with clients and public health agencies, guidelines for isolation and more.
Interim Guidance for Homeless Services Practitioners
Guidance for pre-outbreak and outbreak measures to be taken by shelter providers such as spacing sleeping mats, providing access to clean and stocked bathrooms.
Q&A from the Office of Healthcare Programs
Questions and Answers from HUD OHP for HUD or FDA-insured healthcare facilities.
This is a list of questions for COC’s and Public Health Authorities to work through how best to care for sheltered and unsheltered persons who exhibit coronavirus-like symptoms. Importantly it also contains questions to guide CoC’s and PH Authorities in providing care and information in ways that don’t trigger mental illness episodes.
Quick Guide to CDBG Eligible Activities to Support Infectious Disease Response
This is a list of eligible activities under CDBG that can be used in infectious disease response. Includes things like constructing treatment facilities, provide short-term working capital assistance, meals on wheels and more.
This guidance for Health Authorities dealing with households living in shelters, in encampments, on the street, and in supportive housing.
Eligible ESG costs for Infectious Disease Preparedness
Detailing activities that are eligible for Emergency Solutions Grants Program reimbursement. It covers things like cleaning supplies, cots, room dividers, transportation, and hiring additional staff. It also includes some guidance for planning and applying for these reimbursements.
Infectious Disease Preparedness for Homeless Assistance Providers and Their Partners
This is a webinar covering the basics of COVID-19 and how best to put in place safety measures.
Office of Multifamily Housing Covid-19 Q&A
This Q&A with the Office of MFH Programs includes information on how the office is ensuring Fair Housing obligations will be met, property managers’ options for isolating or utilizing vacant unites for quarantine, disinfecting common spaces and more. Very important!
Office of Single Family Housing Q&A
Details what the FHA is doing with regard to FHA single family loans.
Office of Single Family Housing Info #20-20
Details the temporary partial waiver of servicing requirements regarding face-to-face contact with borrowers.
Q&A on HR Flexibilities and Authorities for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Agency guidelines on telework and HR for HUD satellite offices.
Housing Choice Voucher/PHA/Native American Programs COVID-19 Facts
Describing recommendations to PHA’s regarding HCV, PBV, and Native American Programs. Lists things such as postponing unit inspections, adjusting income guidelines and family shares of rent, and the use of capital, operation, and administrative funds.
US Interagency Council on Homelessness
Planning and Preparing for Covid-19 (coronavirus) webpage
A list of resources from HUD and the CDC.
Noah Patton
(he/him)
Housing Policy Analyst
National Low Income Housing Coalition
1000 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 662-1530, x251
npatton@nlihc.org
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