The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) will host a conference call at 3:30 pm ET on Friday, April 17th, 2020, to provide an overview of their recent notice of COVID-19 waivers . The call will be limited to 2,500 participants. It will be recorded and shared.
Call in information:
Step 1: Dial into the conference.
Dial-in: 1-877-369-5243 or 1-617-668-3633
Access Code: 0551998##

If the automated recording indicates the conference is full, please use overflow information:
US Toll Free: 1-877-369-5243 or
US Toll: 1-617-668-3633 Access Code: 0626917#

Step 2: Join the conference on your computer. Entry Link
An Outlook invitation can be found here .
The COVID-19 waiver notice can be found here .
NAHRO’s analysis can be found here .
Service in a Time of Crisis:
Letter from NAHRO President
I’m not sure many of us have ever lived through a time like this. I know that I have not, but it certainly brings out the best, and the worst, in people. As housers, you are among the best. Your dedication and willingness to serve during this pandemic has astounded me, humbled me, and left me in awe. Let me share a little of what I have seen across social media that your colleagues and their communities are doing. 
 
I see you in Nevada, Missouri, where a local church partnered with the housing authority to create a quasi-style barbecue and residents got grilled hot dogs or burgers. 
 
I see you in Santa Barbara, California, utilizing local partners to ensure that 66 seniors and additional 68 households received food bags. 
 
Similarly, I see you at the Chelsea Housing Authority in Massachusetts, where you worked with volunteer organizations to ensure that elderly and disabled residents continued to receive their groceries.
 
I see you in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where you implemented a super fun community-strengthening activity asking residents to step outside at 7 p.m. and wave at their neighbors. Social distancing doesn’t mean we can’t still be neighborly!
 
I see you at the Housing Authority of the City of Austin, Texas, sharing “positive and informational stories” through your Twitter account.
 
I see you at the Columbia Housing Authority in South Carolina, working to stop the spread by providing 6,000 face masks to staff and residents and also sharing it as a business opportunity!
 
I see you in Harrison, Arkansas, where I was blown away at your small PHA partnering with one of your community partners. At the end of one day you provided 700 lunches and 1,200 bags of groceries in your community. 
 
In Pocatello, Idaho, we provided oodles of books to our school district for distribution in their home schooling packets.
 
These are just some highlights of the hard work you are doing, the endless hours you are giving, and your care and love for those we serve. I know that the hard work, hours, care and love do not end when you are at home! I recently posed this question on a Facebook leadership page, “What are you reading during your time at home?” One of the responses was, “PIH Notices, CDC recommendations, state and federal orders.” Another response was, “I’m writing disaster plans, infectious diseases protocols and policies.” You are a dedicated bunch. 
 
I was grateful to hear HUD say that they intend to add operating fund and administrative fee dollars to PHA accounts in the coming weeks. I know that these funds will help our agencies to continue to provide the services we need to assist the most vulnerable in our communities. I also recognize that it isn’t enough and that there are many more gaps to fill. That’s why I ask you to continue to advocate when called to action. Our work matters. Let that be heard in the halls of Congress and HUD.
 
Seeing your amazing dedication has lifted my soul and given me ideas for my own community. Thank you and keep sharing your good work!
 
NAHRO Reads
I am currently reading The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. It is a book about the rare events in history and how humankind responds to them. Sounds fitting for the present time we all find ourselves in. 
 
I will admit, it is a challenging read (I may need to pull out something from the fiction section after I finish this). However, I am very interested in the topic as it relates to the current pandemic and the huge impact we can only, at this time, speculate that it will have. 
 
Pick up a copy and let’s read it together!
 
Be well,
Sunny

Housing America: NAHRO's National Campaign for Affordable Housing
NAHRO News
NAHRO IN THE NEWS
Regional News
Here are some informational resources regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and how to keep your communities safe and healthy. In addition, please remember to check with your local health department and local governments.
Health officials are currently taking steps to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”) into communities across the United States. Housing providers, including organizations that run continuums of care and shelters, as well as the general public, can play an important role in this effort.

Through collaboration and coordination with State and local health departments, housing providers can disseminate critical information and prepare to take additional steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19, should State and local health officials identify such a need.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. For updates from CDC, please visit the Coronavirus  website .

Everyone should continue promoting everyday disease prevention strategies:
  • If you are sick, stay home from work or school.
  • Avoid close contact with those who are already sick.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or the crook of your arm.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.

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Federal Government Resources:





Other Resources
HUD HCV Landlord Task Force to Conduct Webinar on
April 22 at 1 pm ET
HUD’s HCV Landlord Task will host a free webinar titled “Education and Outreach Strategies for Landlord Participation.” The webinar will take place on April 22, 2020 at 1 pm to 2:30 pm ET. The webinar will walk through the first published chapter of the HCV Landlord Strategy Guidebook. The webinar will also feature representatives from PHAs.
Additional information can be found here .
Registration for this webinar can be found here .
Click here for the latest Job Postings in the Southwest Region! It’s free to post your RFP’s and Job Openings on SWNAHRO.ORG. Email them to us swnahro@brazosnet.com  
The Regional Newsletter is published every month. Do you want to submit an article next month? Email it to us swnahro@brazosnet.com
Submission due date: 5/12/2020
CPD Formula Allocations, CARES Act Supplement Funding Released
HUD’s office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) has released its program formula allocations for FY 2020 and the CARES Act supplement funding.

HUD has posted two spreadsheets. The first includes all CPD formula grant programs, including CDBG, CDBG Housing Recovery Program (RHP), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG).
The second spreadsheet lists all CARES Act Grants.
 
The spreadsheets can be found on the HUD website .