COVID-19

COVID-19 Questions

Check our Question/Answers page

1/14/2021 – New Report! Best Practices for State and Local Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

NLIHC’s newest report, “Best Practices for State and Local Emergency Rental Assistance Programs,” outlines key considerations for implementing an emergency rental assistance (ERA) program using the $25 billion for ERA in the recent COVID-19 relief package.

HUD HOME Update COVID-19 Waivers

12/22/2020 – Updated HOME Sample Self-Certification of Income Form to Implement COVID-19 Waivers Now Available HUD’s Office of Affordable Housing Programs (OAHP) has updated the sample self-certification of income form originally published in June 2020. The revised form supersedes previous form and is valid for use through September 30, 2021, the extended HOME COVID-19 waiver period.

View the updated HOME Sample Self-Certification of Income Form.

Participating Jurisdictions (PJs) can use the sample self-certification of income form to document the annual income of: New applicants of HOME-assisted rental units New applicants of HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) programs, including emergency and short-term TBRA Existing TBRA tenants requiring assistance under an emergency TBRA program Existing tenants of HOME rental units up for income re-examination (annual and 6th year redeterminations) Prior applicants denied assistance due to the inclusion of excludable unemployment benefits Visit the HUD Exchange HOME COVID-19 Guidance page for additional information and resources.

FEMA Waives Time Extension Requests on Non-Congregate Shelter

Due to the ongoing pandemic, FEMA has recently released a memo that waives a previous requirement for Public Assistance funded non-congregate shelters to request time extensions on these shelter operations every 30 days.

Though communities no longer need to request these time extensions every 30 days, they will still need to report basic information on these shelter operations to regional offices (the number of locations, length of stay, population type, and estimated transition date to HUD assistance), as well as follow past FEMA criteria on non-congregate shelter operations.

View the memo’s full details here >>>
COVID-19 Vaccines: New CDC Guidance Released for People Experiencing Homelessness   The CDC has recently published documents that can provide answers on vaccination processes for people experiencing homelessness and providers who serve them: COVID-19 Vaccination for People Experiencing Homelessness: Frequently Asked Questions COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit Interim Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel and Long-Term Care Facility Residents

The Appalachia Nonprofit Resource Center (ANRC) was established during COVID-19 to assist regional nonprofit organizations by offering free online access to curated resources. Information is updated regularly. Check out recent additions about:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts weekly partner calls to provide updates on the COVID-19 response.  Visit the COVID-19 Webinar and Partner Calls Video site to learn more and catch up on calls you may have missed.

HUD Resources for Point-in-Time Count

To support Continuums of Care (CoCs) with their 2021 unsheltered Point-in-Time (PIT) counts, HUD has released a new resource, How to Use Sampling within a CoC to Conduct an Unsheltered PIT Count. This guide describes how CoCs can use a sampling approach to estimate a total count of the number of people within their communities who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the night of the PIT count. While this sampling guidance is applicable for any year, CoCs that typically canvass and count their full geographic area may want to use a sampling strategy for the 2021 count in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. A companion sampling tool to assist CoCs in making weighting calculations will be released soon.
This PIT Count Office Hours session will focus on how to use sampling to conduct an unsheltered PIT count. At the end of the call HUD will answer any questions you have about conducting the 2021 PIT count. The PIT Count Office Hours will be held on the following schedule. HUD will update CoCs on the topics of focus for future sessions through HUD Exchange listserv announcements in advance of each session.

Session #4: TBD January 12, 2021, 3:00 – 4:30 PM EST Register Now
Session #5: TBD January 19, 2021 3:00 – 4:30 PM EST Register Now

Past Office Hours Sessions Recordings from all previous PIT Count Office Hours will be available on the HUD Exchange PIT Count Office Hours page. Materials from each of the previous sessions in this 2021 PIT Count Office Hours series are linked below.
2021 Unsheltered PIT Count Flexibilities November 24, 2020
3:00 – 4:30 PM EST Coming Soon Additional Resources The 2021 PIT Count and HIC Guidance and Training page will continue to be updated with new resources. Current resources include: Conducting the 2021 Unsheltered PIT Count
This document provides guidance to Continuums of Care (CoCs) on how to safely conduct the 2021 Point-in-Time (PIT) count during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How to Use Sampling within a CoC to Conduct an Unsheltered PIT Count 
This document, explained above, provides an overview of how to use sampling to estimate a total count of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the night of the PIT count.
To view all of HUD’s PIT count and Housing Inventory Count (HIC) resources visit the PIT and HIC Guides, Tools, and Webinars Page. This is a one-stop site where communities can access all of HUD’s guidance on how to plan and implement their PIT counts. The resources include the PIT Count Methodology Guide, survey tool resources, implementation resources, etc. If you have any questions about planning, implementing, or reporting your HIC or PIT count data that are not covered in the resources listed above, please submit your questions to the Ask A Question (AAQ) portal. In Step 2 of the question submission process, select “HDX Homelessness Data Exchange (including PIT, HIC, AHAR, Sys PM, LSA, and PDX)” from the “My question is related to” drop down list.

Recordings/Resources from Previous Webinars

  • 7/28 – Lunch & Learn with Fahe Research – recording HERE password: #=cT9r%m   Link to the Data Explorer

Membership Survey Blog – Katy Stigers, Fahe Research Director

  • 7/15 – 2020 Nationwide Virtual Town Hall on Ending Homelessness – Held last week on the 15th Recordings can be found HERE
  • Housing Matters has a good repository of previous webinars just below their listing of upcoming events – check it out HERE
  • 4/9 – CARES Act Presentation from US Chamber of Commerce
  • 4/7 – CHAM, LISC – Stress-test Your Portfolio – Slide Deck – Recording
  • National Alliance to End Homelessness Webinars

COVID-19 Waivers – Examples from Washington Nonprofits –

From their website: Many nonprofits are continuing to operate and provide vital services in their communities during the COVID crisis. Here are sample liability waivers that can be used with volunteers and clients during the pandemic. We are grateful to our partner NPIP (Non Profit Insurance Program) for sharing these model forms to help nonprofits adjust and continue to serve at this time. Download an editable version of the Sample Waiver or Notification for Shelters and the Sample Waiver of Liability for Providing Volunteer Services. As noted previously by Fahe’s COO, Sara Morgan, it is advisable to run anything like this past your lawyer, for their opinion.

Memos/Updates/Recordings from Fahe/Fahe Staff

Messaging/Fundraising

4/16/20 – Fahe Member Panel – Messaging during the Pandemic

Thank you to our Panelists!

3/19 – MESSAGING! – 84 Agency Webinar from Jim – “I found this really valuable. Its about how to communicate in a crisis. Communication to funders, investors, borrowers and the public need to be considered. A shift in social media to reflect a slight alteration of message so that the work is seen as bigger as well as responsive to the event going on around us.  How do we set up messaging for the next phase of work…”  

OTHER RESOURCES:

COVID-19/Appalachian Highlands from Randy Wykoff, MD, MPH & TM; Dean and Professor, College of Public Health Director, Center for Rural Health Research, ETSU Health.

There are many more short videos on COVID-19 related topics on our College website:  https://www.etsu.edu/cph/covid19.php

National Housing Conference COVID-19 Resource Center

Funding Opportunities

SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF INITIATIVE! Intuit has launched a partnership with GoFundMe. Intuit encourages local small businesses to set up a GoFundMe page and set a fundraising goal. That goal could essentially be to cover all payroll or business expenses for the next 4 weeks or 8 weeks, etc. Here’s that link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/smallbusinesshelp/

From Fahe Community Lending: In an effort to support Fahe members who encounter financial hardship due to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, Fahe will offer an emergency loan to those who can show cause for the loans as related directly to the crisis. Click HERE for more information.

Hot Topic! Self-Care in the crisis…

From CFPB

CFPB, FHFA and HUD launched a new website on May 12 that explains CARES Act protections for renters and homeowners, suggests resources for additional help and provides information on how to avoid COVID-19 related scams.

4/9 – IRS Household Payments – Following up on the IRS household payments, from Natalie Harris of Coalition for the Homeless-Louisville: Info from the IRS (likely to change). Basically, those who have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return by April 15, 2020 with banking info for direct deposit or those who receive federal benefits with a card, should receive their payment by the end of April. Those who filed with an address by that date will likely see checks in May. But getting checks to everyone will take much longer and the IRS is even saying up to a year to get all the checks out.  One thing you can and should do right away is help any one who did file in 2018 or 2019 but filed with an address and changed addresses since their last tax return because it will otherwise go to the wrong address.  Here is the official form to update your address.  As we all know now, the 2019 filing deadline was extended to June, so if anyone did not file in 2018 and is waiting til then to file for 2019, they will get checks much later. The IRS is working on an on-line form that they will post for those who did not file either year and need to complete this to get their funds. In the meantime, they do have a survey you can complete on their site that lets you know if you need to fill that out when it is posted and we will be watching and let you all know as soon as the on-line form is up for those who do need to complete it.

4/7 – Update from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – The Bureau has issued a policy statement outlining the responsibility of credit reporting companies and furnishers during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can access the credit reporting press release announcement and copies of the Bureau statements HERE Additionally, the Bureau has issued a joint agency policy statement and its own compliance guidance FAQs to facilitate mortgage servicers’ ability to place consumers in short-term payment forbearance programs such as the one required by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The compliance statement and FAQs also address flexibility concerning loss mitigation notices, early intervention communications, annual escrow statements, continuity of contacts, pay off statements, and electronic communications with borrowers. You can access the mortgage servicing press release announcement and copies of the Bureau statements HERE

Q&A – How Federal Unemployment Benefits & Economic Impact Payments Influence Benefit Eligibility – from the National Council on Aging, Center for Benefits Access

DO YOU SERVE THE HOMELESS? Here is a resource shared by one of our partners, from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council on Needed Actions from Public Health and Emergency Response Systems

Small Business Administration (SBA) info:

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently published guidelines concerning Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. We’re here to help you understand eligibility requirements and get the process started. On our PPP Loan Forgiveness webpage, you’ll find the SBA’s loan forgiveness application, a checklist to help you prepare eligibility documentation, and a review of the ways PPP loans can be used and forgiven.
4/7 : Eligibility of Faith-Based Organizations to Participate in Paycheck Protection and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Programs Jovita Carranza, Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), announced that the SBA issued guidance clarifying that all faith-based organizations impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) are eligible to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, without restrictions based on their religious identity or activities, to the extent they meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “Following the passage of the emergency economic relief assistance, the Administration and Congress acted to ensure that small businesses and non-profits alike have access to critical funds to keep their workers paid and employed,” said Carranza. “Faith-based organizations have always provided critical social services for people in need, and SBA will make clear that these organizations may access this emergency capital.” The Paycheck Protection Program’s maximum loan amount is $10 million with a fixed 1% interest rate and maturity of two years. SBA will forgive the portion of loan proceeds used for payroll costs and other designated operating expenses for up to eight weeks provided at least 75% of loan proceeds are used for payroll costs. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides qualifying small businesses and non-profits with working capital up to $2 million with low interest rates and terms extending up to 30 years.

3/27 – Video for Non-Profits and Churches RE: CARES ACT, specifically the Paycheck Protection Program as passed on Friday 3/27. From the Vanderbloemen folks and shared by Tony Gibbons of Blount Co. HFH… VIDEO and SLIDES

Call Recording Information on SBA Disaster Loans is changing moment to moment.  We believe the interest rate will be lowered to 1.75% and the loans can be forgiven if the business uses the money to fund payroll and keep people employed.  As we learn more, we will share it.  Josh and Chad are both watching this.

3/25 – Presentation to KY Chamber of Commerce – SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan

From Sara Morgan, Fahe COO: The SBA has approved Disaster declarations for all of our member states.  This allows businesses to apply for funding through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.  Information on the program and the online application can be found at SBA.gov.  Additionally, OMB has released this linked guidance regarding various regulated functions during this time.  This guidance indicates how regulations are being implemented with various federal systems, programs and notifications.

Fahe Advocacy

3/27 – From Fahe Advocacy: Your Advocacy Department has been tracking and weighing in on the recent stimulus bills on your behalf, as well as working to include the particular challenges of working in our Appalachian communities in the national discourse surrounding the pandemic. To help advance our Appalachian perspective in the national discourse, we have put together a policy document that contains our recommendations to craft a national response to this pandemic that protects our communities and works for everyday Americans here and everywhere else in the country.

You can read a short, bulleted version of our recommendations HERE if you are short on time (because of course you are!), and the full document with particulars by clicking HERE. The landscape we are all operating in is full of uncertainty and constantly changing, and that includes in Washington, D.C. We will keep you updated as the legislative and regulatory landscape here changes. All we ask of you is that you also contact us if there is anything we can be doing for you as you digest the new programs, seek to have your voice heard, or otherwise navigate these uncertain times.

HR RESOURCES

4/16/20 – Resource from SERCAP – Tips for Working from Home

3/27 – From Norma, HR Resource: As a response to COVID19, the Department of Labor has expanded FMLA under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  I wanted to share this information with you to make sure you and your families are informed.  Please see HERE

3/24 – From Fahe’s HR Folks (by Paycor) Webinar slides – Working from Home: How to Survive & Thrive

On Wednesday, March 18, President Trump signed H.R. 6201, the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” into law. It becomes effective on April 2nd, which is a short period for taking compliance steps and budgeting for the changes. Among the provisions of the coronavirus relief bill are items relating to paid sick time and family leave, which we [McBrayer LLC] have summarized HERE, as they will have an enormous impact on employers. on Federal Legislation

Info/Summaries/Updates – Federal Legislation

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)

ARC Expands COVID-19 Resources Web Page – During this challenging time for our communities, our Region, and our country, the Appalachian Regional Commission has launched a web page dedicated to providing resources to help communities, grantees, and partners navigate COVID-19. The page, arc.gov/coronavirus, includes national, regional, and state resources, webinars, and other information. ARC’s goal is to be a resource hub for the Appalachian Region during the COVID-19 crisis. COVID-19 Cases in Appalachia map, displays the current number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Appalachia, and throughout the United States. Explore County-level Coronavirus Impact Planning searchable database: presents a demographic data snapshot of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in relation to hospital bed counts, population and businesses, and categories of people at risk for COVID-19 in infographic form for each one of the nation’s counties. By clicking on each statistical icon, users can learn more about the supporting data. COVID-19 related data is updated daily.

USDA Announcements

December 21, 2020: Extension of Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium for Single Family Housing Direct Loans

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extends the foreclosure and eviction moratorium for Single Family Housing Direct Loan Borrowers through February 28, 2021.

The moratorium applies to:

  • Initiation of foreclosures or completion of foreclosures in process, excluding vacant and abandoned properties.
  • Evictions of borrowers from properties bought with a USDA direct home loan.

For more information on USDA Rural Development’s actions to support customers directly impacted by COVID-19 visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus

June 4, 2020 – Worksheet for Computing Income & Max Loan Amount Calculator

Users of the Worksheet for Computing Income & Max Loan Amount Calculator are reminded that (as relayed in the tutorial on the worksheet) this worksheet may be updated periodically so it is important to use the latest version that is posted to the Agency’s website (and on SharePoint for Agency staff). Please note that a revised version of the worksheet dated June 1, 2020, was posted to the Single Family Direct Home Loan website (under the To Apply tab), the Direct Loan Application Packagers website, and SharePoint.  The worksheet was revised to resolve errors that appeared in the income limits and area loan limits in three counties (found in Alaska, Kentucky, and Missouri).

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today unveiled a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can be used by rural communities, organizations and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide (PDF, 349 KB) is a first-of-its-kind resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities to help address this pandemic.

HUD Information:

10/9 – New HUD SNAPS Resources

Resources from HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) and their federal, state, and local partners. https://www.hud.gov/coronavirus

4/9 – New National Partner Resources
National Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Council: COVID-19 Resources
Responding to COVID-19 Among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness
How to Use Personal Protective Equipment: A Quick Reference Guide for Frontline Clinical Providers
Guidelines for Establishing Hotel/Motels as Isolation, Quarantine, Respite or Emergency Shelters

SNAPS COVID-19 Infectious Disease Prevention & Response Infectious Disease Toolkit for CoCs.
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH): COVID-19 Resources
National Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Council: COVID-19 Resources
Coronavirus(COVID-19) Information for Homeless Shelters and Homeless Service Providers
COVID-19 and the HCH Community
The State of COVID-19 and Homeless Health Care
Coronavirus Resources for Homeless Service Providers World Health Organization (WHO): COVID-19 Advice for the Public Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): COVID-19 & Homeless Shelters Guidance
Interim Guidance for Homeless Shelters
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations GovTech: A Resource Guide to Coronavirus for Government Leaders
National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC): Coronavirus and Housing/Homelessness
National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH): Coronavirus and Homelessness
National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH): COVID-19 Resources
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): COVID-19 Resources
National League of Cities (NLC): Resources for Local Leaders National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE): COVID-19 Resources
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security: COVID-19 Resources
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA): COVID-19 Resources Homelessness & the Response to Emerging Infections Disease Outbreaks: Lessons from SARS
National Governors Association: Steps states have taken to address Coronavirus
Coronavirus Planning for HUD CoC Areas

Links to Other Sources

State Specific information can be found using the links below:

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