Northwest HUD Lines
May 2020

HUD e-Briefs from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington
Jeff McMorris, Region X Regional Administrator

Leland Jones, Editor, (206) 220-5356 or Leland.jones@hud.gov

www.hud.gov/alaska	www.hud.gov/idaho
www.hud.gov/oregon	www.hud.gov/washington
http://twitter.com/hudnorthwest

e-OPEN FOR BUSINESS (STILL)
HUD offices in Anchorage, Boise, Portland & Seattle are open for business. But as of May 1st due to limited on-site staffing during the coronavirus outbreak, and consistent with local public health social distancing guidelines, the best way to get in touch with us is via e-mail at AK_Webmanager@hud.gov in Alaska, ID_Webmanager@hud.gov in Idaho, OR_Webmanager@hud.gov in Oregon or WA_Webmanager@hud.gov in Washington, or call us at 206-220-5101. And, of course, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook or at four state Web sites. You'll find their addresses in the masthead above. We look forward to hearing from you.

STAY CURRENT
We've not yet forced the Library of Congress to build an annex, but HUD's program areas has, in response to COVID-19, issued a lot of guidance about ways we've tried to make it easier for you to meet your - and our - missions & mandates. For the most up-to-date guidance from HUD & all of its programs, please visit.

MEETING THE CHALLENGE
Thanks to President Trump & the Congress, the recently-enacted CARES - Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security - Act will provide billions of dollars in additional Federal funding to support the efforts of HUD's partners across the country to address the challenges of COVID-19. On April 2nd, for example, HUD Secretary Carson announced the award of almost $5.9 million in additional funding to state & local governments in Alaska, $13.2 million to governments in Idaho, $32.1 million to governments in Oregon & $52.2 million to governments in Washington state to insure that their Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter & Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS/HIV programs had the resources to, among other things, construct & expand health facilities, build more shelters for the homeless, support businesses manufacturing protectiveequipment, replace HVAC systems, provide nutritional support & mental health services & train health care personnel at https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_049. The next day he announced the award almost $28.5 million to nearly 250 Federally recognized Alaskan Native Villages & Tribes in Alaska, $1.1 million to Tribes in Idaho, $5.1 million to 9 Tribes in Oregon & $12.3 million to 29 Tribes in Washington state to insure their HUD Indian Housing BlockGrant programs had the capacity to safety and health of their tribal members and communities at https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_050. And today, May 1st, Secretary Carson announced the award of some $13 million in CARES Act funds to public housing authorities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington so "they are well equipped to protect their residents and staff as we all work together as a Nation to combat this invisible enemy" at https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_058.

BRIEF BRIEFS
Because of COVID-19, President Trump has signed Major Disaster Declarations providing for public & some individual assistance statewide for Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington, but residents of Umatilla County, Oregon & the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation should also remember that a Major Disaster Declaration has been signed also by the President because of the severe flooding & winds in February at https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/04/04/president-donald-j-trump-approves-oregon-disaster-declaration-flooding-and. . .Idaho Governor Brad Little says May 11th the state will launch a $300 million U.S. Treasury-funded program to provide grants of up to $10,000 to Idaho small businesses that have not received an SBA-backed loan or received less than $10,000 under such a loan at https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/gov-little-plans-to-distribute-300-million-in-cash-grants-to-small-businesses-as-state-enters-stage-1-of-reopening/. . .HUD awards more than 200 additional Family Unification vouchers to help children in foster care Tacoma Housing Authority & King County Housing Authority in Washington & Home Forward,the housing authority in Portland & Multnomah County, Oregon at https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_046.Washington Department of Commerce awards $8 million to state's Community Action Agencies for up to $1,000 in rental assistance & $500 in energy assistance to households at or below of 125 percent of Federal poverty line & eligible for LEAP. Read more at https://www.commerce.wa.gov/news-releases/community-grants/commerce-provides-9-million-in-rent-and-energy-assistance-to-serve-estimated-5000-low-income-households/. . .Idaho Housing & Finance Association, Wells Fargo Foundation & Micron contribute $380,000, says Big Country News, to support work of 23 housing non-profits across state at https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com/idaho/380-000-in-grants-awarded-to-23-housing-non-profits-throughout-idaho/article_e3c343d0-8582-11ea-a392-0be79c63edd4.html. . .Portland, Oregon Housing Bureau begins taking applications on first-come, first-served basis, says KPTV, for $250 Emergency Housing Stabilization grants from households earning no more than 50 of area median income & have been hard-hit by COVID-19 at https://www.kptv.com/news/funds-available-for-portland-residents-impacted-by-covid-19-pandemic/article_9f490638-84ef-11ea-a47c-a7cf62bdcac5.html. . .Interfaith Sanctuary in Boise, Idaho partners with Family Medicine Residency of Idaho at local hotel for homeless testing positive for COVID-19 says KIVI-TV at https://www.kivitv.com/news/new-boise-program-houses-cares-for-homeless-people-with-covid-like-symptoms. . .Washington Department of Commerce makes $30 million in formula grants to state's 39 counties to work with local communities & non-profits work with hotel owners to provide housing to support Stay Home, Stay healthy response to COVID-19 outbreak at https://www.commerce.wa.gov/covid19/covid-19-homelessness/counties-look-for-community-heroes-to-house-the-vulnerable/.

BY THE NUMBERS
What does the recently-enacted CARES Act mean for the State of Alaska?

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
Stepping Up, Helping Out
On March 12th New York Times columnist David Brooks offered a pretty gloomy assessment of pandemics, observing that they've killed millions of people& have killed "compassion too." Some disasters, he wrote, "like hurricanes & earthquakes, can bring people together, but if history is any judge, pandemics generally drive them apart." https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/opinion/pandemic-coronavirus-compassion.html In weekspast, we've seen some examples of that in the morning papers or the evening newscast. But over the same time, we've seen and heard of lots stories about people, notwithstanding social distancing, who've joined together to make life a little easier during these oh, so unusual times. Below you'll see just a few examples Northwest HUDLines has come across recently that just as there's been use for pessimism, so too there's plenty of reason for optimism. If you're aware of similar stories in the communities you serve, please share them with us & we'll try to include some in next month's Northwest HUDLines. Until then, we hope you enjoy these:

Seattle, Washington - Thirty years ago the acclaimed Seattle chef David Lee approached the City with an interesting idea. Why not establish a non-profit restaurant that would provide culinary skills training to the homeless and vulnerable that might open the door for careers in the city's many fine restaurants. The city liked the idea as did the local workforce development council, awarding what came to be known as FareStart HUD Community Development Block Grant funds to launch it. 30 years later FareStart's still in business. Because of COVID-19 its restaurants are closed, but its kitchens are humming, so far preparing more than 197,000 nutritious, delicious & free breakfast & lunches to those hit hard by the virus."It was just natural," said current head chef Wayne Johnson, "that we would just do that." Read the full Seattle Times story at https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/amid-the-coronavirus-heres-how-seattles-farestart-is-massively-upping-its-game-to-feed-those-newly-in-need/.

Everett, Washington - Recognizing that "We recognize that we are fortunate, we have jobs," on April 13th teachers with the Everett Educators Association traveled around this city just north of Seattle handing-out $6,000 in $50 gift cards for take-out food from local restaurants as a way of saying "thank you to "grocery clerks, postal carriers, medical volunteers, delivery drivers and garbage collectors" and others on the "front lines" of keeping the city running during the COVId-19 outbreak. They also dropped by Ccoccont House, a HUD-funded transitional housing complex for homeless young people to donate another $4,000 to support its work and, the next day, delivered take-out to two shifts of staff at Provident Hospital. Read the full MyEverett.com News savory at https://myeverettnews.com/2020/04/13/everett-educators-giving-meals-gift-cards-to-say-thank-you-to-essential-service-providers.

Boise, Idaho- Life's Kitchen is metro Boise's only organization devoted totransforming the lives of young adults by building self sufficiency and independence through comprehensive food service and life skills training, placement in the food service industry, while completing their high school education. The food the students prepare is served in a dine-in cafe as well as in school cafeterias. Even though restaurants and schools in Idaho are closed and its trainees sheltering-in-place because of COVID-19, reports KIVI-TV, managers and staff are still at work in the kitchen preparing some 2,000 meals for the homeless each week. View the full KIVI story at https://www.kivitv.com/news/lifes-kitchen-helping-feed-the-homeless-population.

Ashland, Oregon- Like the bright lights of Broadway the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland has gone dark, postponing its season and furloughing 80 percent of its staff, many of whom live in housing owned by the Festival. "They could've said 'everyone pack your bags, you're on your own, which a lot of theaters have had to do," one actor in the company told KTVL-TV. "You feel taken care of, you feel like there's an added layer of safety. "View the whole story at https://ktvl.com/news/local/they-couldve-said-pack-your-bags-osf-continues-to-provide-employee-housing-healthcare.

Olympia, Washington- Accompanied by the Easter Bunny, on Good Friday 2020 a convoy of three trucks assembled by the leadership of the federally recognized Nicely Tribe made surprise visits to more than 170 homes of Tribal members between Olympia and Tacoma, delivering 180 turkeys and hams and 300 Easter baskets to tribal members and their families. At each home, they even took the time to hide some Easter eggs on the lawn. "The families were" just really shocked and surprised," Marissa Woodard, a tribal member., told the Nicely Valley News. "We're happy to be seeing their smiles." Read the full News story at http://www.yelmonline.com/community/article_25ec570a-7c38-11ea-9177-ff84bd0c90a6.html.

Boise, Idaho- "I just started crying," Kelly Covington told The Idaho Statesman, after reading a letter from the City of Boise, her landlord, telling her the $420 in rent due on her apartment for April had been forgiven. She'd been in "a heavy panic, "she said, because her hours as a breakfast hostess in the morning and airport shuttle driver in the evening had been cut. "If it wasn't for the city of Boise doing this," she said, "I'd probably be down at the shelter for a time." The City's done the same in than 300 units it owns, costing it about $122,000 a month. A "small price to pay," noted The Statesman, especially when a recent study estimated one person living on the streets costs the City $53,000 a year. Read the full Statesman story at https://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/from-the-opinion-editor/article241446686.html.

Yakima, Washington - COVID-19 has been hard on small business and many are turning for help to Federal, state and local governments. But they're also stepping-up and helping-out each other. With its tasting room closed to the public, the owner of the Paradiso del Sol winery in the Yakima Valley of Washington has donated gallons of disinfectants to the local Sheriff's Office, Police Department and Post Office to help them keep their surfaces clean. A restaurant owner launched a now-20 restaurant network that rewards customers with a discount if they have a receipt showing they've done take-out recently. A bakery has converted its dine-in space to provide a retail outlet for a cheese-maker cut-off from its customer base because of a ban on farmers' markets "We're all taking a bit," said one small businessman. "And we're all helping each other out." Read the full Yakima Herald story at https://www.yakimaherald.com/special_projects/coronavirus/all-in-this-together-local-businesses-help-each-other-out/article_ab4a2994-5a76-595a-bca6-78d5ff53f58d.html.

Sandpoint, Idaho - When Leo Hunsaker lived in Boise, Idaho, says The Bonner County Bee, he was homeless for three years. Got to the point where I was sleeping on park benches going to convenience stores and stores like Walmart and going to their trash at night to get food to eat," And then he moved about 400 miles north to Sandpoint in the Idaho Panhandle. About 40 days ago he couldn't sleep, his brain racing at the thought of how COVID-19 would disrupt the lives of so many people in so many ways. So, he decided to do something about it, forming the non-profit Come Together North Idaho to be of help. In its first 37 days, says The Bee, the group "helped over 5,000 people with needs ranging from baby wipes and care packages to grocery and gas carts to even assisting an Idaho resident with thirty days of shelter in a motel room." Read more at https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2020/apr/28/come-together-north-idaho-7/.

Eugene, Oregon- With hand sanitizers in short supply on store shelves, members of the Jefferson Westside Neighbors "took matters into their own hands" the weekend of April 4th, manufacturing 200 4-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer using a WHO recipe with 8 partsisopropyl alcohol, 1.45 parts glycerin .125 percent hydrogen peroxide and topped-off with distilled water. The bottles were then dropped-off at the homes of residents served by Cornerstone Community Housing and Homes for Good, the city's housing authority, with a bag of groceries supplied by by Northwest Community Credit Union and FOOD for Lane County."It is no surprise to me," says Jacob Fox, director of Homes for Good, that the Neighbors, a long-time supporter of affordable housing, "are stepping up on behalf of people in need." Read the full story in The Eugene Weekly at https://eugeneweekly.com/2020/04/09/it-takes-a-village-2/.

Idaho Falls, Idaho - The drama class at the Idaho Falls School District's Compass Academy magnet high school had planned this spring to do a live production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. With the COVID-19 outbreak, not anymore. But the show must go. on. So teacher Dusty Johnson and his drama class are remotely rehearsing for a podcast instead. It poses some challenges. With no stage and no scenery, The Post Register reports, some of the lines have to be re-written to help the audience visualize the setting. Student actors are taking voice lessons to insure they project on-line as well as he would in person. And the Academy's I.T. students have sent-out guidelines on how to create at-home recording booths. "It's comparable to Apollo 13, where they have the problem with the oxygen scrubber, and Mission Control has to help them fix it with whatever equipment they have around." Read the full Post Register on remote schooling in Idaho Falls at
https://www.postregister.com/news/education/what-remote-teaching-looks-like-in-idaho-falls/article_a4995522-ae6d-5486-8ce9-e0e46e08e5e4.html.

Port Hadlock, Washington - The Old Alcohol Plant Hotel was built in 2010 by the father of the photographer Ansel Adams to distill alcohol from the sawdust and wood pulp generated into alcohol. At first, the business and surrounding community boomed, but soon went bust and production stopped. In 2011 a group of local philanthropists bought the property converting it into part hotel, part transitional housing that, since opening in 2016 has provide an affordable place to call home for more than 80 of the area's most vulnerable people. Both the residents and hotel guests eat well, thanks to a community garden on the property started by two local farmers who refer to it as "an edible landscape." We "want to open it up to anyone feeling like they need to get their hands in the dirt," they explain, "especially right now, socially distanced common gardening is an activity people can do and still stay healthy." Read the full Leader story at https://www.ptleader.com/stories/edible-landscape-feeds-community,68827.

Rigby, Idaho - "The holidays came and went, but Christmas lights are back and here to stay — at least for now," says The East Idaho News, thanks to the family of Brian Fitch. They'll spread "quarantine cheer" on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights until at least the end of April offering "comfort and peace" who want to jump in their cars and see the 18-minute light-and-sound show. "We're hoping that people can get some enjoyment or some hope during this time where it feels like there's a lot of frustration and a lot of unknown going on," Mr. Firth said.It probably won't surprise you that Mr. Fitch owns Fitch Family Lighting in Rigby. More at https://www.eastidahonews.com/2020/04/lightsofhope-christmas-lights-shine-bright-to-bring-hope-during-pandemic/.

BY THE NUMBERS

What does the recently-enacted CARES Act mean for the State of Idaho?

QUOTES TO NOTE
"While any form of discrimination stains the very fabric of our nation, HUD is especially focused on protecting the right of individuals to feel safe and secure in their homes, free from sexual harassment or unwanted sexual advances," said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. "This theme, which is a call to action, is an appeal to those who experience discrimination, particularly survivors of sexual harassment, to contact HUD for help. Much work remains to be done, but HUD's efforts in this area are already producing real results for real people." said HUD Secretary Ben Carson on proclaiming April as National Fair Housing Month on April 6th. "Complaints we receive demonstrate the importance of continuing our commitment to shining a light on this form of discrimination and letting everyone know that HUD is here to help," added Anna María Farías, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity added. "Even as the nation is dealing with a health crisis unlike any we have experienced in recent history, HUD is open for business and working to ensure that no one has to tolerate harassment or unwanted sexual advances in the place they call home".

A SPECIAL THANKS. . .
HUD Secretary Carson has commended the U.S. Department of Justice & Attorney General William Barr for partnering with HUD "to fully investigate and prevent sexual harassment in housing particularly during this difficult time in our country." reports of landlords demanding sexual favors in exchange for rent, a violation of the Fair Housing Act. More at https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_057.

BRIEF BRIEFS TOO
USDA Secretary Perdue announces that COVID-19 Food Assistance Program providing assistance to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness & including over $1.7 billion to support food banks at https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2020/04/17/usda-announces-coronavirus-food-assistance-program just a day or two before announcing that SNAPS - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - household benefits would be increased 40 percent to increase food stability during COVID-19 at https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2020/04/22/usda-increases-monthly-snap-benefits-40. . .Using $2.5 million in HUD Community Development Block grant funds & private donations, Seattle, Washington Mayor Durkan announces initial 250 small business awarded $10,000 in stabilization grants to address COVID-19 challenges at https://durkan.seattle.gov/2020/04/mayor-jenny-durkan-announces-initial-250-grantees-of-the-small-business-stabilization-fund-calls-on-private-sector-and-philanthropy-to-help-support-future-grants/. . .Boise State University finds that in its first full year of operation the New Path Community Housing "low-barrier' housing saved Ada County, Idaho taxpayers $1.3 million in medical & criminal justice costs athttps://www.boisestate.edu/sps-ipi/projects-and-clients/local-government/city-of-boise-new-path/. . .Northwest Oregon Housing Authority purchases 16-acre parcel in St. Helens to develop 238 new units of affordable family & elderly housing says Columbia County Spotlight at https://pamplinmedia.com/scs/83-news/464356-376581-noha-purchases-gable-road-property-for-238-unit-complex?wallit_nosession=1. . .Galena Opportunity Fund commits to its 2nd Opportunity Zone investment in Twin Falls, Idaho- the conversion of a former hospital into a charter school with 2 apartment buildings with 112 units also to be constructed next door says Times News at https://magicvalley.com/business/old-twin-falls-clinic-building-to-become-charter-school-with-apartments-next-door/article_85fa0a82-70ff-5e89-a7d8-24ec4998c4b2.html. . .Renton Housing Authority, City of Renton, King County &Brawner & Company agree on financing for 64-unit Sunset Oaks, the latest chapter in Sunset neighborhood's revitalization. . .Lincoln City, Oregon Council selects Innovative Housing Inc. of Portland to develop 70 to 80 affordable apartments on city-owned parcel says Times News at https://newportnewstimes.com/article/affordable-housing-project-has-its-developer. . .LIHI - the Low Income Housing Institute in Seattle, Washington -completesLakefront Community House into 28-unit, 24/7 shelter for homeless & with financial support from City & the Seattle Seahawks Bobby Wagner & construction skills of theTulip Tribe's student apprentice program at https://lihi.org. . .Jacob Fox of Homes for Good has let us know that all of the housing authority's employees arenon working under one roof at its new one-stop service center at the corner of 13th & Olive in Eugene, Oregon. . .Chelan Valley, Washington Housing Trust Fund begins accepting applications to buy the first of 5 1,179 square-foot townhomes it will build this year expected to be priced at $200,000 at https://www.ncwlife.com/chelan-valley-housing-trust-kicks-off-first-project-with-house-burning-party/. . .Washington Department of Commerce launches statewide Small Business Resiliency partnership with 11 organizations from culturally & historically disadvantaged communities to give technical assistance on "next steps" for small businesses affected by COVID-19 at https://www.commerce.wa.gov/news-releases/commerce-announces-small-business-resiliency-assistance-program-focused-on-disadvantaged-communities/. . .City of Richland, Washington allocates $210,000 in HUD Community Development Block Grant funds for stabilization loans to businesses affected by COVID-19 with no more than 20 full-time employee says Try-City Herald at https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article242354446.html.

BY THE NUMBERS

What does the recently-enacted CARES Act mean for the State of Oregon?

NOFA-TUNITY
HUD setsMay 11th deadline for yQualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations to apply for one of up to 28 Fair Housing initiatives Program enforcement grants of up to $360,000 private enforcement grants at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326152.

NOFA-TWO-NITY
HHS' Administration for Children & Families has set July 6th for local governments, Tribes, Alaskan Native Villages & non-profits to apply for up to 5 demonstration grants to "build, expand, and sustain organizational and community capacity to deliver services to Native American victims of human trafficking at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=321683.

NOFA-THREE-NITY
The Washington Department Commerce has set a July 2nd deadline to apply for grants of up to $1. million but no more than 25 percent of the cost of developing Youth Recreational Facilities that enable young people from Kindergarten through 12th grade with recreation opportunities integrated with social and/or educational services at https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/v/2123yrfguidelines. You may RSVP for the Department's May 13th virtual workshop on this funding opportunity at capprograms@commerce.wa.gov.

NO-FOUR-TUNITY
The Washington Department of Commerce sets June 16th deadline for eligible public entities, tribes, non- & for-profits to apply for a total of $6 million in the third round of Behavioral Health Facilities competitive grants. Learn more at https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/v/2019-21NOFARoundThree.

NO-FIVE-TUNITY
USDA sets May 7th for state & local governments, Tribes & non-profits to apply for 160 Rural Housing Preservation Grants of up to $50,000 each to help low-income homeowners & owners of rental properties serving the low-income to repair & rehab these housing units at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=325511.

BY THE NUMBERS

What does the recently-enacted CARES Act mean for the State of Washington?

YOU'RE INVITED
Next Week HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Homes , the Washington State Department of Health & the Centers for Disease Control Hosting Two Free Webinars on the Challenges of Maintaining Healthy Homes During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Virtual Webinar 1
HUD-Assisted Housing & COVID-19
For managers and maintenance staff of HUD-assisted multifamily housing properties
Monday, May 4,2020
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., M.D.T., 11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m, P.D.T., 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., A.D.T
This webinar will focus on cleaning and disinfecting to protect individuals residing in HUD-assisted multifamily properties. A representative from HUD's Multifamily Housing in conjunction with representatives from the CDC and Washington State Dept. of Health will deliver presentations on their interim guidance on facility cleaning when a person with coronavirus infection is present or suspected.
Please pre-register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7412074371111607564
Please submit questions you may have at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NHHCRH9

Virtual Webinar 2
Public Housing & COVID-19
For public housingauthority managers & maintenance staff
Monday, May 4, 2020
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. M.D.T. 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. P.D.T., 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. A.D.T.
We will highlight CDC guidance which provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of households where persons possibly infected, or those with confirmed COVID-19 reside, or may be in self - isolation. It is aimed at limiting the survival of the virus in the environments. These guidelines are focused on household settings and are meant for the property managers and maintenance staff who service buildings where the COVID 19 disease may be present.
CORRECTED-Please pre-register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3060250229327785740
Please submit any questions you may have athttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NZ8Z3C9

JUST PUBLISHED
HUD issues guidance on CARES Act mortgage payment relief for FHA single family homeowners at https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_048. . .USDA issues Federal-government-wide COVID-19 Rural Federal Resources Guide to assist rural communities, residents & organizations address COVID-19 challenges at https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2020/04/13/usda-unveils-tool-help-rural-communities-address-covid-19-pandemic. . .HUD implements CARES Act multifamily mortgage payment relief to maintain & preserve affordable rental housing at https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_054. . .HUD gives housing authorities & Tribes more flexibility to focus on tenants during pandemic. . .HUD posts the fiscal year 2020 market-specific Median Income Limits effective April 1st & establishing income eligibility standards for public, project-based, Housing Choice Voucher & Section 202 & 811 residents. . .Recognizing that "the link between housing & health is far reaching & complex," HUD's Office of Policy Development & Research has launched a new website.

NOTES TO NOTE
Idaho Smart Growth has set a May 4thdeadline to submit nominations for its 2020 Grow Smart Awards. . .U.S. Department ofAgriculturesets sets May 7th for state & local governments, Tribes & non-profits to apply for 160 Rural Housing Preservation Grants of up to $50,000 each to help low-income homeowners & owners of rental properties serving the low-income to repair & rehab these housing units at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=325511. . .HUD sets May 11th deadline for Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations to apply for one of up to 28 Fair Housing initiatives Program enforcement grants of up to $360,000 private enforcement grants at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326152
. . .U.S. Department of Agriculture set May 31st deadline for non-profits to apply for grants to support revolving loan funds to assist owner-occupied homes to construct, refurbish or service household water systems in towns & Tribal lands in rural areas at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/household-water-well-system-grants. . .Washington Department of Commerce sets June 3rddeadline cities with less than 50,000 residents & counties with 200,000 residents to apply for Community Development Block Grant General Purpose grants. . .The Federal Reserve Bank's Board of Governors sets June 5th to submit nominations for Community Advisory Council which meets twice a year with Board on "concerns of low - & moderate-income population" currently no one from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon or Washington serves on Council at https://www.federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/cac.htm. . .Washington Department of Commerce sets June 16th deadline to apply applications for total of $28.5 million to support four specified behavioral health capital projects athttps://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/v/bhfnofar2compappWashington Department of Commerce sets June 16th deadline for eligible public entities, tribes, non- & for-profits to apply for a total of $6 million in the third round of Behavioral Health Facilities competitive grants. Learn more at https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/v/2019-21NOFARoundThree. . .Washington Department Commerce has set a July 2nd deadline to apply for grants of up to $1. million but no more than 25 percent of the cost of developing Youth Recreational Facilities that enable young people from Kindergarten through 12th grade with recreation opportunities integrated with social and/or educational services at https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/v/2123yrfguidelines. . .Health & Human Services Administration for Children & Families sets July 6th for local governments, Tribes, Alaskan Native Villages & non-profits to apply for up to 5 demonstration grants to "build, expand, and sustain organizational and community capacity to deliver services to Native American victims of human trafficking at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=321683. . .U.S. Department of Labor VETS program sets December 31st, 2020 deadline for state & local workforce development groups, veterans service organizations, public agencies, Tribal governments & non-profits to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to conduct veterans Stand Down events.

COMING UP

CANCELLED - Northwest Community Land Trust annual gathering, May 4th to 6th, Ashland, Oregon. Visit https://www.nwcltc.org/blog

CANCELLED - Association of Alaska Housing Authorities hosts Basic Financial Training & Audit Preparation for Small Tribes, May 5th to 7th, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit http://www.aahaak.org/events/basic-financial-management-audit-preparation-for-small-tribes

CANCELLED -Association of Alaska Housing Authorities hosts Indian Housing Plan/Annual Performance Report Workshop, May 12nd & 13th, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit http://www.aahaak.org/events/indian-housing-plan-annual-performace-report-ihp-apr

Association of Washington Cities hosts Small City Connector Webinar, May 13th, on-line. Visit https://wacities.org/events-education/upcoming-awc-events

University of Oregon hosts virtual 3rd annual Urbanism Next Conference, May 14th, on-line. Visit https://www.urbanismnext.org

Association of Washington Cities hosts virtual COVID-19 briefing for members, May 14th,on-line. Visit https://wacities.org/events-education/upcoming-awc-events

Association of Alaska Housing Authorities hosts Grant Writing Workshop, May 19th to 21st, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit http://www.aahaak.org/events/grant-writing

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts Annual Conference, May 20th to 22nd, Bend, Oregon. Visit https://www.oregonaffordablehousingmanagement.com/2020-conference.htm SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION.

CANCELLED - HUD Seattle's hosts All Grantee for CDBG, HOME & ESG recipients, May 23rd, Seattle, Washington.

CANCELLED - Association of Alaska Housing Authorities hosts Meth Decontamination Workshop, May 27th to 28th, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit http://www.aahaak.org/events/meth-decontamination

HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Homes, Washington Department of health * Centers for Disease Control hosts HUD-Assisted Housing & COVID-19 Webinar, May 4th, on-line. Visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7412074371111607564

HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Homes, Washington Department of health * Centers for Disease Control hosts HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Homes, Washington Department of health & Centers for Disease Control hosts Public Housing & COVID-19 Webinar, May 4th, on-line. Visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3060250229327785740

73rd Annual Conference ofAssociationof Idaho Cities goes "virtual," June 10th to 12th, on-line. Visit https://idahocities.org/page/2020AICConference

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