THE WEEK IN HOUSING
RECENT NEWS & UPDATES FROM MINNESOTA NAHRO
Spring is quickly approaching and so are resources to help tenants address unpaid rent due to COVID. These will be important resources for both landlords and housing authorities. This member update also includes the most recent HUD FAQ which now runs 73 pages. Enjoy!
HUD Releases Another COVID FAQ Round 7
This Revised FAQ is the first under the new administration and has updates on remote hearings, virtual inspections, the American Rescue Plan of 2021 and guidance regarding building ventilation. You can access the HUD FAQ #7 here which is posted to our COVID19 Resource Page for Housing Authorities.
Rent Help MN Information Session Next Week
Sign up here for the information session
In the coming weeks, Minnesota Housing will launch RentHelpMN – the new rental assistance program fundied by federal COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance. Please join Minnesota Housing at one of their information sessions to learn more about the RentHelpMN Program, who is eligible and what expenses will be covered.
Among the resources will be “Get Ready” checklists for renters and landlords that include the types of documents that will be requested as part of the application. The RentHelpMN virtual information sessions will be offered:
- Tuesday, March 30 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 31 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
The program will help eligible renters with overdue rent since April 2020, up to three months of upcoming rent at a time, and related utility payments. For the first time, households with federal rental assistance are eligible to apply for the tenant portion of unpaid rent and this includes public housing.
Eligible renters will include households that earned 80% or less of area median income in 2020 or in the most recent month. Landlords will be able to apply on behalf of their eligible tenants as well. Detailed guidance will be published on this webpage as it becomes available. Be sure to sign up for updates on the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance program to receive email updates about when the program will open and how to apply.
Save The Dates!
2021 Virtual Spring Conference — May 19 & 20
2021 Leadership Retreat — July 27 & 28 at Madden’s in Brainerd, MN
