November 2021

New HUD Interim Rule Protects Tenants Facing Evictions for Non-Payment of Rent

HUD announced an Interim Rule that prohibits the eviction of tenants for nonpayment of rent from properties participating in HUD’s Multifamily Section 8 project-based rental assistance, Section 202, and Section 811 assisted housing programs and HUD-subsidized public housing without management first providing a 30-day notice period that includes information about available federal emergency rental assistance. This Interim Final Rule is effective November 8, 2021.

You can find the announcement here, the notice here, and the register here

Department of Health Hosted On-Site Vaccination Clinics

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is available to speak to landlords, PHAs, or other senior housing managers about the State’s efforts to provide on-site vaccination clinics (for vaccines and booster shots). If you are interested in having an on-site clinic, please reach out to RIDOH.VaccinePopUpClinics@health.ri.gov.

Cyber Security Resources

The Rhode Island Secretary of State has put together a Cybersecurity 101 handout designed especially for Seniors to help them identify common cyber scams targeting their age group (Click here for English | Spanish). They have printed a limited number of both versions and would be happy to provide copies to your offices, at no cost, to distribute to your residents.

Please contact Maria Jones at 401-222-1500 or mjones@sos.ri.gov if you are interested in receiving the Cybersecurity 101 handouts and the quantities you would like in English and Spanish.

Covid Supplemental Payments Round 3

The Office of Multifamily Housing Programs reminds owners/agents of Multifamily assisted properties that the COVID-19 Supplemental Payments Housing Notice makes more than $180 million in supplemental operating funds available for protecting residents and staff from COVID-19. As part of the additional flexibilities in this latest round, funds are now available for limited types of capital investments.

Owners will be able to submit payment requests for expenses incurred through October 31, 2021. The deadline to submit reimbursement requests to HUD or the Contract Administrator is November 19, 2021. Please submit your requests to covidpayments@rihousing.com.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions document for assistance in this process. The FAQ provides important clarifications on eligible expenditures and transaction timeframes, including accommodations for delays in the delivery and installation of certain capital items.

The final version of the HUD 52671-E CSP Request  form to be used in owner submissions is now posted. Please see the new “Tips and Explanations” document for how to complete the form.

RentReliefRI

The RentReliefRI program continues to offer an important lifeline for Rhode Island renters. Since opening the program earlier this year, we have helped over 7,770 households with rent and/or utility assistance.

We’ve recently made some important changes that will help even more Rhode Island renters:

• Streamlined process: We have developed a streamlined process for RentReliefRI applications for affordable developments. Since property managers at these developments have access to more complete tenant information in comparison to most landlords, you are now able to utilize your own rent ledgers and income certifications. Tenants only need to sign the affidavit to complete the application.
• “Old” debt: In situations where a tenant leaves an apartment without paying past due rent and then applies for assistance to pay the rent in the new unit, the RentReliefRI program can now pay off the old debt if the tenant agrees. This means that tenants won’t damage their credit rating, will not be pursued for those arrears, and landlords/property managers will receive the rent owed to them. The RentReliefRI program can then pay the tenant’s forward-facing rent up to the time limit cap.

We hope these changes will have a meaningful impact on tenants and property managers. Additional information for managers of affordable housing developments can be found online under the FAQs section on the RentReliefRI landlord page: https://www.rihousing.com/rentreliefri-landlords/.

‣ Releases & Reminders

• Fiscal Year 2022 Fair Market Rents have been released and can be found here.
• Fiscal Year 2022 Utility Allowance Factors have been released and can be found here.
• The new SSA COLA for 2022 is 5.9%. You can find the press release here.
• Delayed annual adjustments are now being initiated, if you have been waiting and haven’t heard from your asset manager yet please reach out.
• If you have had any changes to your management or ownership contact information you can update your information here.
  
  

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 at pbca_eblast@rihousing.com.