Crystal Wojciechowski, PHADA Policy Analyst
On March 27, the CARES Act was signed into law to provide emergency assistance in response to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to other efforts to protect the health and well-being of all Americans and to combat the spread of the virus, the Act provided supplemental appropriations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), among other governmental agencies. This supplemental funding included $125 billion to preserve voucher rental assistance for seniors, the disabled, and low-income working families. It also included $685 million to provide HAs with additional operating assistance to make up for reduced tenant rental payments and to assist in the containment of the spread of the virus in public housing properties.
HUD notices, FAQs, and other guidance states that supplemental funding may be utilized for currently eligible administrative costs and new COVID-19 related activities in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, as well as eligible activities in the public housing program for normal operations, and, according to HUD guidance, “preparing for, preventing, and responding to the spread of the virus.” PHADA’s articles have also provided several helpful examples. Previous articles and further HUD guidance can be found at the end of this article.
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