HUD updates COVID-19 Q and A

Posted On: July 29, 2021

UPDATED: (August 12, 2021) HUD has updated page 18 of the Multifamily COVID-19 Q&As to reflect the CDC’s new eviction moratorium order announced Aug. 3 temporarily halting evictions in counties with heightened levels of transmission. The order remains in effect through Oct. 3, 2021. Here is the latest document.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development updated the COVID-19 Q and A today. The update comes as the national eviction moratorium ends this weekend.

In this latest document, HUD answers questions about Emergency Rental Assistance. Among the most significant additions, owners and agents can “accept funds from the Treasury’s ERA Program for rental arrearages and some utility arrearages for HUD-assisted families.” However, they cannot accept ERA Program funds or other rental assistance funds from a third-party agency. In addition, the COVID 19 Q and A says if a resident uses funds directly from the ERA Program, the owner agent does not need to verify the funds before accepting payment.

You can find these answers and more starting on page 57 of the document. Other updates of note:

Assistnace from the ERA Program is not counted as income
The responsibility of ensuring there is no duplication of federal benefits falls on tenants, ERA Program grantees and owner/agents.
Owners/agents cannot forgive rent owed or reduce the amount owed for Multifamily Housing programs.

For a full look, download the new COVID-19 Q and A here. Also, feel free to check out HUD’s webpage for COVID-19 Guidance.

We’ve covered the coronavirus’ effect on Multifamily Housing extensively since 2020. You can find more resources at this link.