Category: Housing News
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House keeps housing assistance a priority for coronavirus relief
House Democrats introduced a compromise $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill this week. With Congress set to break for recess before the national election, bill sponsors hope it will provide a starting point for negotiations on a new aid package. Affordable housing remains a priority in the bill, with substantial funding for emergency rental assistance and…
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Millions still need to claim their coronavirus stimulus checks
There are millions of people who have not yet received their CARES Act stimulus check, and time is running out to claim this assistance before the October 15 deadline. The CARES Act was passed last March to help people hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. It included stimulus checks of $1,200 for every adult, plus $500…
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The pandemic is making it harder for survivors of domestic violence
In the best of times, survivors of domestic violence face a lot of challenges finding safe shelter. The coronavirus pandemic has made things much worse. Stay at home orders keep survivors closed up with their abusers. Shelters have to reduce capacity or close because of social distancing rules. However, crisis hotlines and shelter operators are…
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How to get Hurricane Sally recovery assistance in Alabama
Residents of Baldwin, Mobile, and Escambia County, Alabama who have been impacted by Hurricane Sally can now apply for FEMA disaster recovery assistance for temporary housing and home repairs. What assistance is available? FEMA’s program, called Individual Assistance, may offer any of the following services: Individuals and Households Program(Temporary housing assistance, home repair funds, and…
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Congress deadlocked on more coronavirus relief
Negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House over a new coronavirus stimulus package are at a standstill. Congress will leave town in a couple of weeks for the final month of the campaign. Congress still needs to pass funding bills before September 30 to avoid a government shutdown. (Editor’s Note: The House passed passed…
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What to do after Hurricane Sally hits
After Hurricane Sally made landfall yesterday in the Gulf Coast, countless residents of southeastern U.S. are in need of emergency services. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has not yet declared disaster recovery assistance for individual residents, but public efforts are being made to help local governments in these areas. If you are in need…
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How to get recovery assistance for west coast wildfires
Editor’s Note: FEMA recovery assistance for residents is currently only available in certain Oregon counties. Even though there are recent FEMA wildfire management efforts in California, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, disaster assistance for residents has not yet been approved for any of these areas. If you are in need of emergency assistance as…
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CDC orders national eviction moratorium until end of year
The Trump administration acted on Tuesday to temporarily halt evictions for most Americans due to the coronavirus pandemic. This move will provide critical protection for millions of low-income renters and homeowners on the brink of losing their homes. Without emergency rental assistance, though, the order only pushes out the date when millions of low-income families…
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Affordable housing disaster prep helps with hurricane and pandemic needs
Hurricane Laura came ashore last week near the Texas-Louisiana border as one of the strongest hurricanes on record. Laura’s 150 mph winds left a trail of devastation hundreds of miles inland. Following on the heels of hurricane Marco, thousands of low-income renters now find themselves displaced. Affordable housing agencies will be working overtime to help…
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How to get recovery assistance for Hurricane Laura and Marco
After both Hurricane Laura and Marco hit U.S. land last week, residents of Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico are in need of emergency services for shelter and repairs. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the federal agency that provides support for communities and persons in need after a natural disaster. You can…