The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is releasing nearly $87 million in COVID-19 relief funds to public housing agencies. HUD announced the funding this week.
The COVID-19 relief funds will be made available “in the form of Mainstream funding vouchers to assist non-elderly populations impacted by Coronavirus.”
What are mainstream vouchers?
HUD administers “mainstream vouchers” under similar housing choice voucher rules, but in this case of COVID-19 funding, HUD targets the vouchers “to serve a special population to ensure residents of low income housing, including those with unique circumstances, receive necessary funding.” This funding works specifically to protect health and safety.
“Mainstream Vouchers are an important tool assist one of our most vulnerable populations. Providing housing is more important than ever in light of the continued effects of COVID-19,” Assistant Secretary Hunter Kurtz said in Tuesday’s news release.
Source of COVID-19 Relief Funds
The COVID-19 relief funds are part of the CARES Act. HUD will make $150 million in Mainstream funding available “for PHAs from FY20 and previous year appropriations.”
