Statement by HUD Deputy Secretary Todman on the Department Efforts to Connect People to Emergency Rental Assistance and Prevent Evictions

WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman on Wednesday issued the following statement following the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) order halting evictions in communities with high or substantial rates of COVID-19 transmission levels through October 3, 2021:

"HUD applauds the CDC's action and reiterates its pledge to do all we can to prevent evictions of those who were most impacted by the pandemic-many of whom are families with low incomes and people of color.

"Our Department calls on landlords and owners who do business with HUD to access the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/emergency-rental-assistance-program) and do everything they can to keep families housed during this historically difficult time. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available in every state and will help landlords and owners receive past due rent and allow tenants to remain in their homes.

"Secretary Fudge has given direction to HUD's leadership to identify any and all of HUD's authorities that will require landlords and owners who do business with HUD to prevent evictions, including accessing rent relief funds.

"HUD is doing our part to raise awareness about the availability of financial assistance to assist with past due and current rent costs and using every tool at our disposal to prevent evictions broadly. We have shared information on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program with public housing authorities, Tribes and Tribally-Designated Housing Entities, private landlords, tenants, and other stakeholders to help ease program implementation at the state and local level and encourage people to apply for assistance. Our goal is to support the Department of Treasury, who is the federal administrator of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and their grantees in getting this assistance to those who need it most as quickly as possible. HUD continues our work, as part of a whole of government approach, to protect the millions of families behind on their rent due to the economic realities of the pandemic."

Background:

HUD has also taken the following actions to prevent evictions and inform communities of their responsibilities and rights:

• Extended its foreclosure-related eviction moratorium for families living in housing insured by the Federal Housing Administration through September 30, 2021. The Office of Public and Indian Housing also extended its moratorium for properties occupied by Native Americans and Native Hawaiians with mortgage loans guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee and Section 184A Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee programs. HUD is reviewing additional legal authorities provided to the Department that can be used to stop evictions for vulnerable families;
• Streamlined requirements to allow HUD-assisted households to quickly recertify their income if they have experienced a drop in income, ensuring that their housing remains stable;
• Made clear that federally-backed housing providers must provide 30 days' notice prior to issuing a notice to vacate;
• Released extensive eviction prevention resources for public housing authorities, Tribes, and Tribally-Designated Housing Entities that highlight best practices to keep families housed and answer frequently asked questions;
• Issued guidance through HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity to protect against selective evictions toward protected classes such as race and national origin in violation of the Fair Housing Act-even when the eviction might otherwise have been lawful. This guidance also explains that the Act requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities, including exceptions or modifications to eviction policies and procedures that may be necessary because of tenants' disabilities. HUD allocated $19.4 million to provide support to fair housing enforcement organizations to respond to fair housing inquires and complaints related to the pandemic;
• Released an inaugural Eviction Protection Grant Program that will fund $20 million for eviction protection and diversion services for low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction. More information on the Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found here;
• Supported HUD grantees and stakeholders to ensure the best use of the various relief resources, including the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and HUD's various Native American housing programs to prevent evictions and homelessness.

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