Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Calls grow for rent forgiveness as governments order businesses to close

By Chris Holden on April 3rd, 2020

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Coronavirus

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 … Continue reading Calls grow for rent forgiveness as governments order businesses to close

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Low-income renters helped by $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus

By Chris Holden on March 27th, 2020

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Coronavirus

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 … Continue reading Low-income renters helped by $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Cities, states and feds suspending evictions during coronavirus crisis

By Chris Holden on March 25th, 2020

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Coronavirus

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 … Continue reading Cities, states and feds suspending evictions during coronavirus crisis

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

How housing authorities are communicating with low income households amid coronavirus

By Robin Lovelace on March 23rd, 2020

Tagged As: Coronavirus, Editorials

In normal times, it could be hard for an applicant, participant or an interested party to call and speak with a live person at a Public Housing Agency (PHA). Whether it’s by way of being transferred to the appropriate staffer, or carefully navigating an automated phone system, reaching a live person immediately was not always … Continue reading How housing authorities are communicating with low income households amid coronavirus

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

FTC warns about government check scams

By Nathan Brunet on March 19th, 2020

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Coronavirus

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 … Continue reading FTC warns about government check scams

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

HUD Secretary Ben Carson appointed to president’s coronavirus task force

By Chris Holden on March 11th, 2020

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Coronavirus

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 … Continue reading HUD Secretary Ben Carson appointed to president’s coronavirus task force