|
 
Volume 25, Issue 32
August 10, 2020
In This Issue:
Point of View 
Trump’s Empty Shell of a Promise to Renters – by Diane Yentel, NLIHC President and CEO
The executive order signed on August 8 by President Trump is an empty shell of a promise that does nothing to prevent evictions and homelessness and acts only to mislead renters into believing that they are protected when they are not. This executive order is reckless and harmful, offering false hope and risking increased confusion and chaos at a time when renters need assurance that they will not be kicked out of their homes during a pandemic.
Read more of this article here
Coronavirus, Homelessness, and Housing
Negotiations on COVID-19 Relief Package Break Down
Negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House broke down over the weekend as President Trump issued four executive orders and memorandums on August 8 purporting to extend protections to struggling households, including those households at risk of evictions. As described by NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel in today’s Point of View, “the executive order signed this weekend by President Trump is an empty shell of a promise that does nothing to prevent evictions and homelessness and acts only to mislead renters into believing that they are protected when they are not.”
Read more of this article here
New Research Shows 30-40 Million People Could Face Eviction Without Significant Federal Intervention
NLIHC partnered with nine other institutes and organizations to release a report on August 7 indicating that without significant federal intervention, 30-40 million people in the US are at risk of eviction by the end of the year. These findings were developed by researchers from the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, City Life, the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project, The Eviction Lab at Princeton University, the Innovation for Justice Program at the University of Arizona College of Law, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, NLIHC, Stout, and Wake Forest University School of Law.
Read more of this article here
Join NLIHC’s National Call on Coronavirus, Housing, and Homelessness Today at 2:30 pm ET
Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) will join today’s (August 10) national call on coronavirus, housing, and homelessness at 2:30 - 4 pm ET. They will discuss the state of play in Congress on the next coronavirus relief package and what advocates need to do now to ensure the essential housing and homelessness components in the House-passed “HEROES Act” and “Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020” are included in the final package. Siobhan Kelly, head of the Office of Multifamily Analytics and Policy at the Federal Housing Financing Agency (FHFA), will also join us. We will hear about the latest estimates on the rising threat of evictions, get updates from the field, and more.
Register for the national call at: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan
See the full agenda here.
Former USICH Directors Send Letter to Congressional Leaders Calling for Homelessness Assistance in Next Coronavirus Relief Package
Former directors of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) Fred Karnas, Barbara Poppe, Laura Zeilinger, and Matthew Doherty on August 5 sent a joint letter to congressional leaders urging them to include at least $11.5 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance program in the next coronavirus relief package. This funding is essential to help the overstretched homelessness system respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.
Read more of this article here
NLIHC Participates in Solutions to Homelessness Panel
NLIHC staff took part in a Law at the Margins (LATM) virtual forum, “Housing as a Human Right,” on July 25. The forum focused on concrete solutions to solving homelessness. LATM is a social justice media platform that elevates issues of importance to marginalized communities and aims to co-create social justice content with those directly impacted. The forum was part of the Right to a Home project, which has reported on homeless issues for street media newspapers across the United States.
Read more of this article here
Coronavirus – Congress 
NLIHC Joins National Partners in Sign-On Letter Urging $11.5 Billion for Homeless Assistance in Next Coronavirus Relief Bill
NLIHC joined national partners in a letter sent on August 6 to Senate Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) urging the inclusion of $11.5 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance programs in the next coronavirus relief package.
Read more of this article here
Coronavirus – HUD
HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing Implements $400 Million CARES Act Supplemental Funds
HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) posted Notice PIH 2020-17 on July 31 implementing the $400 million CARES Act supplemental Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) funding for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. The Act makes supplemental HAP funding available for public housing agencies (PHAs) that experience a significant increase in voucher per-unit costs due to “extraordinary circumstances” or that would otherwise be required to terminate vouchers as a result of insufficient funding (Shortfall Funds). PIH will give priority to the Shortfall Funds category.
Read more of this article here
HUD Provides Update to “Questions and Answers for Office of Multifamily Housing Stakeholders: Coronavirus (COVID-19)”
HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing Programs (Multifamily), which oversees contracts with private owners of HUD-assisted properties, issued its seventh update to its “Questions and Answers for Office of Multifamily Housing Stakeholders: Coronavirus (COVID-19)” on July 31. The previous update was on May 21 (see Memo, 5/26). The latest version updates ten questions and adds five new questions. This article highlights the updated and new questions most relevant to residents and advocates.
Read more of this article here
Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Expresses Concern about PHAs’ Slow Use of Supplemental CARES Act Funds
Hunter Kurtz, assistant secretary of HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH), sent a letter on August 4 to public housing agency (PHA) executive directors expressing concern about the slow use of supplemental CARES Act funding. The letter states that to-date, PHAs have drawn down and spent only $103 million in supplemental public housing Operating Funds –15% of the $685 million available.
Read more of this article here
HUD’s Public and Indian Housing Announces Second Round of CARES Act Funding for Supplemental Housing Choice Voucher Administration
HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) posted Notice PIH-2020-18 on July 31 announcing allocation of the second and final round of CARES Act supplemental funding of $472 million for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) administrative fees to help public housing agencies (PHAs) to prepare for, prevent, and respond to the coronavirus. The notice also establishes new eligible administrative fee activities.
Read more of this article here
Coronavirus – FHFA
Federal Housing Finance Agency to Require Multifamily Property Owners in Forbearance to Inform Tenants of Eviction Suspension and Tenant Protections
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced on August 6 that multifamily property owners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) who enter into a new or modified forbearance agreement must inform tenants in writing about tenant protections during the owner's forbearance and repayment periods. Landlords with Enterprise-backed mortgages can enter new or modified forbearance if they experienced or continue to experience a financial hardship due to the coronavirus emergency (see Memo, 7/6). While in forbearance, property owners must agree not to evict tenants solely for nonpayment of rent. FHFA previously announced additional tenant protections that apply during the repayment periods (see Memo, 7/6).
Read more of this article here
Coronavirus – Resources
New Resources and Updates on COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
NLIHC updated its emergency rental assistance programs on August 3 and developed new resources for readers, including through an interactive map and searchable database. A webinar on August 19, 1-2 pm ET will discuss the new tools. As of August 3, NLIHC was tracking 271 local and state emergency rental assistance programs enacted in almost every state.
Read more of this article here
Coronavirus – Other
Recording Available of NLIHC August 3 National Call on “Coronavirus, Housing, and Homelessness”
During the most recent national call on coronavirus, housing, and homelessness, Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) discussed the latest activities on Capitol Hill and the importance of sustained federal investments in affordable housing. Senator Hirono has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to ensure critical housing and homelessness protections and provisions are included in the next coronavirus relief package.
Read more of this article here
Additional Coronavirus Updates - Monday, August 10, 2020
National Updates
Congress
Politico reports that a growing number of Republican lawmakers, including Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), chair of the Senate Banking Committee, want the party’s leadership to include rental assistance and an eviction moratorium in the next economic relief package. Politico also reports that Senator Crapo is urging federal agencies to extend economic relief measures. In a letter to housing and bank regulators, Senator Crapo urged officials to use their authority to continue eviction protections and loosen lending rules.
“Democrats will not stop fighting to extend the moratorium on evictions AND provide assistance to renters in this crisis. #RentReliefNow,” tweeted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on August 5.
Read more of this article here
Opportunity Starts at Home 
Leading Healthcare Organizations Urge Congress to Enact Housing Protections in Next COVID Relief Package
Leading organizations from the health sector sent an August 6 letter to Congress urging vital housing resources and protections in the next COVID-19 relief package. The letter calls for robust emergency rental assistance, a national eviction moratorium, and expanded funding for homeless assistance. Signatories include the American Academy of Pediatrics, America’s Essential Hospitals, Catholic Health Association of the U.S., Children’s HealthWatch, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Community Catalyst, Healthcare Anchor Network, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and others. The letter was sent through the Opportunity Starts at Home multisector affordable homes campaign.
Read more of this article here
Housing Leadership Awards
Celebrate Bill Faith, 2020 Housing Leadership Award Honoree, on August 26!
Join a live-stream celebration of 2020 Housing Leadership Award honoree Bill Faith, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO). Mr. Faith will receive the Cushing Dolbeare Lifetime Service Award at NLIHC’s 38th Annual Housing Leadership Awards Celebration, live-streamed on August 26 at 4-5 pm ET. This year’s other honorees are Shauna Sorrells and Jennifer Ho. Attendance is free to the public. Register today at: https://bit.ly/NLIHCAwards2020
Read more of this article here
HUD
Trump Administration Final Rule Repealing AFFH Published in Federal Register
The Trump Administration’s final rule repealing the 2015 regulations implementing the statutory obligation to “affirmatively further fair housing” (AFFH) was published in the Federal Register on August 7. HUD Secretary Ben Carson announced the administration’s intent on July 23 (see Memo, 7/27). The final rule, effectively gutting the AFFH obligation, will take effect on September 8.
Read more of this article here
Our Homes, Our Votes: 2020
What You Need to Know about “Early Voting & Vote-by-Mail” – Webinar on August 20
Despite the president’s claims, mail-in voting has proven to be a safe and effective method of voting. Mail-in voting will be important this year as voters have an unprecedented opportunity to vote by mail during the pandemic. Learn what you need to know about “Voter Mobilization: Early Voting and Vote-By-Mail” during the next NLIHC Our Homes, Our Votes 2020 webinar on August 20 at 3 pm ET. Early voting and vote-by-mail options will provide voter engagement campaigns with a longer window to get out the vote (GOTV). This webinar will demonstrate how to maximize early voting opportunities and increase turnout in states with expanded vote-by-mail and other early voting options. Register for this webinar and NLIHC’s entire 15-month “Third Thursdays at Three” webinar and podcast series on nonpartisan voter and candidate engagement, free to the public, at: https://bit.ly/2Luj0F3
Read more of this article here
Ensuring Voters Have Proper IDs on Election Day
Many states now require voters to present identification to exercise their right to vote. Without approved identification, millions of potential voters may be forced to submit provisional ballots and could be disenfranchised. Knowing what identification is accepted and how to obtain it is a critical component of voter registration and engagement. This is particularly true for low-income individuals or those experiencing homelessness who may face challenges obtaining or affording the necessary identification.
Read more of this article here
Research
Research Finds California’s Subsidized Housing Units More Vulnerable to Extreme Heat
An article in Housing Policy Debate, “Extreme Heat Vulnerability of Subsidized Housing Residents in California,” finds that subsidized housing in California is disproportionately located in neighborhoods that have more days with extreme heat, more heat-sensitive populations, and less infrastructure to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. The authors suggest various policy solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of high-heat neighborhoods, including increased tree canopies, urban forest initiatives, permeable pavement, and retrofitting subsidized housing with green infrastructure.
Read more of this article here
Fact of the Week
People of Color, Low-Income People, Renters with Children Less Able to Pay Rent on Time
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Household Pulse Survey Week 12 (July 16-21).
EVENT
Join Tenant Talk Live! Next Monday
Join resident leaders and NLIHC staff for the next Tenant Talk Live webinar to discuss the impacts of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic and how you can advocate for needed resources and other protections for people experiencing homelessness and low-income renters in your community. The next Tenant Talk Live—a bimonthly call/webinar with resident leaders from across the country—will take place Monday, August 17, 2020, 6 PM ET (5 PM CT, 4 PM MT, 3 PM PT).
Register for the next call at: https://bit.ly/3dNekGP
Read more of this article here
NeighborWorks Virtual Training Institute - August 17-21
NeighborWorks America will offer a week-long Virtual Training Institute August 17-21. The institute will provide expert instruction and networking opportunities, while incorporating the latest information about the challenges we all face with the current pandemic and respecting the need for social distancing and the difficulty of travel. Learn more at: NeighborWorks.org/2020VTI
Read more of this article here
From the Field
Minnesota Lawmakers Establish $100 Million Housing Assistance Program
In response to mounting pressure from advocates throughout Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the “COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program” on July 14. The program allocates $100 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds for residents struggling with housing-related expenses incurred because of the coronavirus pandemic. Payments on behalf of applicants are expected to begin in mid-August.
Read more of this article here
NLIHC in the News
NLIHC in the News for the Week of August 2
The following are some of the news stories that NLIHC contributed to during the week of August 2:
- “America could have 'Great Depression' levels of homelessness by year's end,” Vice News, August 7 at: https://tinyurl.com/y2v95hwg
- “What’s next for renters struggling financially during COVID-19,” Forbes, August 6 at: https://tinyurl.com/y65murmw
- “She's out of work and facing eviction. She's not alone,” CNN, August 6 at: https://tinyurl.com/y5yv8w5u
- “Trump is calling for another moratorium on evictions. Landlords are pushing back,” The Washington Post, August 6 at: https://tinyurl.com/y5bcv993
- “Children will bear the brunt of a looming eviction crisis,” Huffpost, August 6 at: https://tinyurl.com/y22nvd8y
- “‘Our government is gambling with human life’,” The Washington Post, August 4 at: https://tinyurl.com/y57zu5js
- “12 people in a 3-bedroom house, then the virus entered the equation,” The New York Times, August 1 at: https://tinyurl.com/y5vjn7xr
NLIHC STAFF
Kyle Arbuckle, Housing Advocacy Organizer, x227
Xavier Arriaga, Policy Analyst, x231
Andrew Aurand, Vice President for Research, x245
Abigail Barton, Policy Intern, x241
Victoria Bourret, Housing Advocacy Organizer, x244
Alayna Calabro, Policy Analyst–COVID-19 Response, x252
Josephine Clarke, Executive Assistant, x226
Emma Foley, Research Intern, x249
Dan Emmanuel, Senior Research Analyst, x316
Ed Gramlich, Senior Advisor, x314
Emma Jewel, Field Intern
Kim Johnson, Housing Policy Analyst, x243
Paul Kealey, Chief Operating Officer, x232
Mike Koprowski, Director, Multisector Housing Campaign, x317
Joseph Lindstrom, Director, Field Organizing, x222
Mayerline Louis-Juste, Communications Specialist, x201
Lisa Marlow, Manager, Media Relations and Communications, x239
Esther Omole, Graphic Design/Communications Intern
Sarah Saadian, Vice President, Public Policy, x228
Khara Norris, Director of Administration, x242
Noah Patton, Housing Policy Analyst, x227
Ikra Rafi, Creative Services Specialist, x246
Catherine Reeves, Development Coordinator, x234
Brooke Schipporeit, Housing Advocacy Organizer, x233
Dan Threet, Research Analyst, x202
Chantelle Wilkinson, Housing Campaign Coordinator, x230
Renee Willis, Vice President for Field and Communications, x247
Rebecca Yae, Senior Research Analyst–COVID-19 Response
Diane Yentel, President and CEO, x225
Shuting Zhou, Graphic Design/Communication Intern, x240
|
