Colleagues,

If you are following the Housing and Homelessness money in the American Rescue Plan Act, these links may be of help.  

With respect to the new housing vouchers, as far as I know, the public housing authorities have asked many questions but have not yet received guidance about how these new vouchers will actually work.  We are talking with the Tacoma Housing Authority and will reach out to the Pierce County Housing Authority.

With respect to the Homeless Assistance Grants - the new money that is following the HOME program.  The National Low Income Housing Coalition call yesterday reported that they do not expect guidance until Fall 2021 but there may be interim technical assistance guidance before that.  It is not clear whether HUD sees these HAGs as an entirely new program.  

This is the money that can be used for acquisition and everyone wants that money as soon as possible so we have hotels before winter.  Minnesota homelessness advocates are asking the state and local governments to purchase the hotels now and then be reimbursed by the HAG money when it comes.

The rental assistance and mortgage assistance money in the American Rescue Plan both go through the Department of Treasury.  This is the money Pierce County Human Services is getting out right now.  I'm not sure when the mortgage assistance starts but the rental assistance is available through the portal Rental Assistance | Pierce County, WA - Official Website

There is $213B in the Jobs/Infrastructure Bill.  We'll keep you advised for advocacy opportunities as that moves forward.

Take care all,

Maureen

https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/Main/documents/Factsheet_Housing_Provisions_American_Rescue_Plan_Act-2021.pdf

https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_21_059

https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_21_058