Category: Housing News
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Calls grow for rent forgiveness as governments order businesses to close
Congress has suspended evictions in federally assisted housing during the coronavirus pandemic. Many states have also halted all evictions during the crisis. But people can face thousands of dollars in back rent payments when eviction suspensions are lifted. State lawmakers and Democratic presidential candidates have called for cancelling rent payments during the pandemic. At the…
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Low-income renters helped by $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus
The Senate passed a historic $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package Wednesday, on a vote of 96-0. It will benefit low-income renters in several ways. It will provide direct financial assistance to people, expand and increase unemployment insurance, halt evictions in federally-backed rental housing and foreclosures on federally-insured mortgages. It will also provide billions of dollars…
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Cities, states and feds suspending evictions during coronavirus crisis
Local and state governments around the country are suspending eviction and foreclosure actions, giving a break to low-income renters hurt during the coronavirus crisis. President Trump has also directed HUD to suspend evictions and foreclosures for a short time. But not all renters are protected. Affordable housing advocates say this is not enough, and that…
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Lawmakers grill Carson on controversial HUD policies
Lawmakers challenged HUD Secretary Ben Carson at a hearing this month about a number of controversial Trump administration policies. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development grilled the secretary about HUD’s proposed budget cuts for FY 2021, as well as moves to weaken rules for ending segregation and to cut back fair…
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FTC warns about government check scams
No details have been released yet about the proposed government checks to help Americans who are struggling during Coronavirus closures, but scammers are already trying to take advantage of those in need. In a blog published yesterday by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), it’s said that it isn’t known at this time exactly how payment…
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Roundtable: Comparing Sanders and Biden on low-income housing
The 2020 Democratic Party forerunners have similar policies, but important differences.
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HUD Secretary Ben Carson appointed to president’s coronavirus task force
HUD Secretary Ben Carson was recently appointed to the White House Coronavirus Task Force. The Task Force is charged with leading the federal response to the coronavirus outbreak. Since his appointment, Secretary Carson has had some awkward moments trying to explain the Task Force’s plans to keep the public safe. President Trump charged The Task…
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Harvard report shows loss of affordable apartments and growing rent burden
A new Harvard University report shows a shrinking pool of affordable apartments, and more renters who are paying too much for their housing. America’s Rental Housing 2020 was prepared by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS). It is an annual report that looks at important trends affecting rental housing and the people that…
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Inspector General finds HUD not imposing oversight on troubled housing authorities
HUD’s Inspector General issued a report finding that troubled Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) have not been referred for HUD management takeover, despite being required by law and regulations. Without additional oversight, poor living conditions for low-income renters served by these troubled PHAs – commonly known as housing authorities – could stagnate or get worse. HUD…
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Annual HUD report shows rise in homelessness for third year
HUD’s 2019 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) shows that although homelessness decreased in many states, overall it rose for the third straight year under the Trump administration. Key Facts: There were 567,715 homeless persons counted in January, 2019, an increase of 2.7% in the homeless population. 63% of homeless persons were sheltered and 37% unsheltered.…