Coronavirus Information and Guidance
This week, members have raised questions and concerns regarding the coronavirus. NAHMA received an update from the White House and their request to share the below information and guidance from federal government partners:
- Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- Information for Travel
- Prevention and Treatment
- Know the Facts About Coronavirus and Help Stop the Spread of Rumors
- Frequently Asked Questions
- CDC Coronavirus Website
Please share with your networks. As we receive updates from our federal partners, we will keep you updated. (please note: Today, Kris provided this information in an email to NAHMA members.)
HUD Provides an Update on Disaster Preparedness Plans
Yesterday, NAHMA shared the following update from the HUD Office of Multifamily Housing on disaster preparedness plans:
Dear stakeholders:
March is National Asset Management Awareness Month. And spring is conference season for many of you. We wanted to take this opportunity to remind you and your members of the importance of having disaster preparedness plans in place as a good asset management practice. HUD Handbook 4350.1, Chapter 38, contains useful information about disaster preparedness and maintaining an up to date disaster plan. As you know, hurricanes are not the only disaster that may impact your property or region of the country.
The earthquakes affecting Puerto Rico have had a substantial impact to the island as well as to many HUD properties. Several owners of impacted properties have reported to HUD that they have vacant units as a result of these recent earthquakes. In some cases, entire properties are uninhabitable. Be advised that owners of properties with HUD project-based assistance contracts with vacant units should not voucher for those units until they are reoccupied. Where HUD has been made aware of vacant units or properties, assistance vouchers will not be approved for payment until the property has been determined to be safe for occupancy and reoccupied.
We ask owners to continue to keep HUD apprised of property conditions and vacancies. Inspection teams visited properties in Puerto Rico in February and will continue in March. The teams will work with owners on scheduling these inspections.
-HUD Office of Multifamily Housing
House Financial Services Committee Advances Several Housing Bills
Today, the House Financial Services Committee advanced several housing-related bills. The following bills were approved by the committee: According to a press release, the bills passed by the Committee included:
- H.R. 149, the Housing Fairness Act, a bill introduced by Congressman Al Green (D-TX), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, which would authorize increased funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program and make a number of reforms to the program. The bill was passed by a vote of 33-25.
- H.R. 4351, the Yes in My Backyard Act, a bill introduced by Congressman Denny Heck (D-WA), which would require localities that receive Community Development Block Grant funding to submit a plan to track and report on the implementation of certain land use policies that promote housing production. The bill was passed by voice vote. Next week, NAHMA will work with Federal Affairs Committee and Board to adopt a position for this bill.
- H.R. 5187, the Housing Is Infrastructure Act, a bill introduced by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, to authorize more than $100 billion dollars in federal spending for the nation’s affordable housing infrastructure, including public housing, supportive housing for seniors and people with disabilities, and rural and Native American housing. The bill was passed by a vote of 33-25. NAHMA supports ensuring affordable housing remains a key element of infrastructure investments.