All requests received by HUD or the PBCA by 11:59PM local time on August 5 will be given equal consideration. Requests received after this deadline may be evaluated at HUD’s discretion only after all other eligible CSPs have been funded, and in no case will be considered if received after August 12, 2020.
HUD has released a notice which allows sites to request reimbursement using CARES Act funds to offset recent property expenditures made to combat the effects of COVID-19. Eligible expenses will have been incurred betweenMarch 27,2020 and July 31, 2020. The supplemental payments are to cover additional cleaning and disinfecting, additional staff, face coverings, and other expenses to help keep properties safe for residents. All requests received by HUD or the PBCA by 11:59PM local time on August 5 will be given equal consideration. Requests received after this deadline may be evaluated at HUD’s discretion only after all other eligible CSPs have been funded, and in no case will be considered if received after August 12, 2020.
Please note - Any properties that anticipate recognition of surplus cash at the close of their current project fiscal year and any Section 8 project that anticipates taking owner distributions at any point within the next 12 months may not request a COVID-19 Supplemental Payment.
Submissions should be sent via email tocovidpayments@rihousing.com. Please put the name of the site as the email subject.
Evictions / Resources for Renters
As federal and state mandated moratoriums on evictions are lifted, and the federal unemployment supplement is set to expire later this month, RIHousing recommends that all owners and managers of multifamily rental properties review their internal procedures and management plans for evictions.
RIHousing commends Winn for this thoughtful approach to addressing rental defaults due to COVID-19 related financial hardships. We encourage all owners to consider a similar policy for their Rhode Island multifamily rental portfolios. We ask that you share eviction policy updates with your asset manager at your earliest convenience.
RIHousing has made resources available to renters through its HomeSafe Initiative. Kindly share these resources with the residents of your communities.
Special Claims COVID-19 Memo
HUD has released a Special Claims Processing for COVID-19 memo. This memo provides instructions for the processing of special claims for vacancy for propertiesby COVID-19 during the period of March 27, 2020 through September 30, 2020. During this time, RIHousingwill accept vacancy claims for 60 days starting from the prior tenant’s move-out date as opposed to the Ready-for-Occupancy Date, in instances where preparation of the unit for occupancy was prevented due to the impact of COVID-19. Submissions must include owner certification that COVID-19 has impeded the owner’s efforts to fill the vacancy as well as justification for all units explaining why the units remain vacant as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cooling
Options
Interested in exploring cooling options at your development? National Grid has several financial incentives available for developments. Contact Angela Li at angela.li@nationalgrid.com to learn more and see if your development might be eligible. Angela can help get the ball rolling for an energy assessment to explore your options.
‣ Reminders
Make sure you are reporting each instance of COVID-19 at your site(s) to RIHousingusing this form.
Pursuant to Section 24 CFR §5.609(c)(9), any temporary income received from the U.S. Census Bureau is excluded from annual income.
Management and Occupancy review procedures continue to change as we receive guidance from HUD. Please make sure to reach out to your asset manager if you have any questions or concerns about the procedure.
We'd love to hear from you!
We hope you've found this edition of Property Matters to be helpful to you and your work. If you have thoughts or suggestions for this e-newsletter, please share with us atpbca_eblast@rihousing.com.
RIHousing, 44 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903
