Eviction Deadline Looms for Millions of Tenants With Surging Rent Debt |
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After a year of being unemployed and serving as the primary caretaker for her aging father, Cyndi was relieved when she got a job this spring as a contractor for a major bank. She’ll make $85,000 a year — more than enough to pay her $1,200-a-month rent in Charlotte, North Carolina. But her lease has expired, and her landlord wants her out now.
Cyndi, who asked to be identified only by her first name to avoid jeopardizing her new job, is one of an estimated 10 million renters coming out of the pandemic saddled with thousands of dollars of rent debt. The eviction moratorium kept them in their homes for the worst of the crisis, but as its expiration date looms, the unpaid sum balloons.
Unable to find a new apartment because of her bad standing with her current landlord, or to immediately pay the $16,000 that’s past due, Cyndi is now caught in limbo, waiting for the government’s promised rent aid to materialize before the federal moratorium officially ends on July 31. Read More.....
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Application Deadline for MTW Expansion Extended |
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HUD has extended the deadline to apply to the Landlord Incentives Cohort of the Moving to Work (MTW) Expansion to Oct. 15, 2021. The Cohort will include a research and evaluation component that studies the impact of incentives aimed at encouraging landlords to participate in the Section 8 program. Agencies selected for the Landlord Incentives Cohort will also be able to utilize other flexibilities included within the MTW Demonstration. More information on the cohort and the application process can be found here.
HUD will also be hosting a webinar on Tues., July 20 at 1:30 p.m. EST on the Landlord Incentives Cohort. Interested agencies can access the webinar by:
Step 1: Dial into the conference.
Dial-in: 888-251-2949 or 215-861-0694
Access Code: 4047630#
Step 2: Join the conference on your computer.
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As a housing and community development professional, you have valuable insights to share with Congress. NAHRO wants to make it easy for you to advocate on Capitol Hill.
There are at least three ways to become a NAHRO advocate:
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Become a Congressional Contact
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Send an advocacy letter through the Action Alert Center
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Download the NAHRO Advocacy App
Congress needs to hear from you as they finalize the American Jobs Plan. Urge your representatives to include housing programs in the final infrastructure package. To help us target specific members of Congress and to receive exclusive advocacy alerts, become a Congressional Contact at www.NAHRO.org/contacts.
It is easier than ever to send a NAHRO advocacy message. You can send a pre-drafted email from our Action Alert Center (www.NAHRO.org/advocate). When you download the NAHRO Advocacy App, you can look up information on your representatives and send advocacy letters directly from your smart phone. Now is the time to speak up for the housing and community development programs that matter most to your community!
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Eugene Prepares for New Age in Affordable Housing
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In the wake of numerous municipal zoning code changes and an influx of state funding, several ambitious affordable housing initiatives recently kicked off in Eugene. The projects aim to cater to Eugene’s diverse housing needs, but not everyone agrees on whose needs should be prioritized.
A myriad of recent state housing legislation paved the way for expansive affordable housing efforts. In the 2021 Oregon legislative session, representatives invested over $896 million in addressing Oregon’s housing crisis.
Eugene faces a housing crisis of its own due to a combination of expensive housing and low wages in comparison to state averages, UO architecture and urban design instructor and Better Housing Together founding director Kaarin Knudson said.
According to a report by the National Low Income Housing Commission, a minimum wage worker in Eugene must work 57 hours per week to afford a one bedroom apartment. As of 2020, 1,606 people are homeless in Lane County, according to Lane County’s Point-in-Time report.
Knudson said a lack of middle housing, like duplexes and cottage clusters, also contributes to the crisis.
The local projects come just before stark changes to zoning codes across the state, allowing for more middle housing.
The Oregon legislature passed SB 8 on June 23, which requires municipal governments to allow affordable housing in lands not zoned for residential use.
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Ketchum, Idaho, Has Plenty of Available Jobs, but Workers Can’t Afford Housing |
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Ethan McKee-Bakos has had no trouble finding work since he moved to this upscale mountain town last February, earning $60,000 a year from two jobs. But Mr. McKee-Bakos spent nearly six weeks living out of his SUV in the nearby Sawtooth National Forest, unable to afford rent for a condo.
“If you live in Ketchum, there’s no shortage of work. There’s just a shortage of where you can live,” said Mr. McKee-Bakos, who works as a supply manager at a local hospital and a bouncer at a bar. “This is the first time I’ve experienced any type of homelessness.”
Like many towns in the West with economies built around tourism, Ketchum is facing a cascading housing crisis caused by a rush of new residents during the Covid-19 pandemic, growing demand for workers during the economic boom that has followed, and a shortage of affordable homes that was years in the making.
Businesses in this community of 2,700, located in central Idaho near the Sun Valley ski resort, are struggling to fill open positions, forcing some to cut hours. Some workers live in trailers or tents in the Sawtooth National Forest.
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U.S. Housing Shortage Will be Around for ‘Years to Come,’ Says Taylor Morrison CEO |
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The housing shortage that began before the pandemic will stick around for a long time as market demand soars, the chief executive of homebuilder Taylor Morrison told CNBC on Wednesday.
“As the economy continues to improve, we’re going to see mortgage rates move up, and I think that should be expected. They’re not going to stay under 3% forever,” CEO Sheryl Palmer said on “Closing Bell.” However, she added, “the lack of supply and the overwhelming demand is something that will be with us for years to come.”
Earlier Wednesday, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index showed that mortgage demand decreased for the second week in a row this week, dropping by 1.8% to their lowest level since the beginning of 2020. Home purchase applications and mortgage applications to refinance a home both dropped for the week, even though mortgage rates dipped. Read More.....
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Lincoln County to Share $19M in Housing Funds |
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U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced that 28 counties, including Lincoln County, and two cities in Oregon will receive more than $19 million in emergency housing vouchers through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Lincoln County’s share of the funding comes through the Housing Authority of Lincoln County, which is slated to receive $272,088.
“Every single Oregonian deserves an affordable and accessible place to call home,” Wyden said. “The economic fallout from the global pandemic has worsened a statewide housing shortage and affordability crisis. These vouchers give local housing authorities critical tools to provide Oregonians with the stability they need to build a life where they can thrive.”
“It’s impossible to thrive without a safe and affordable roof over your head,” Merkley said. “I’ve been pushing for strong responses to meet the housing crisis so many are families are facing, and that have become even more dire during the pandemic, and these grants are a good piece of the solution. I will continue to do all I can to secure the resources we need to weather this pandemic and make sure all of Oregon’s families have a home they can afford.”
The emergency housing vouchers are provided to assist individuals and families who are recently homeless, at risk of homelessness, experiencing long-term homelessness, or fleeing (or attempting to flee) intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, according to a release from Merkley and Wyden. Read More.....
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NAHRO Recognizes Both Individuals & Agencies Who Have Bettered the Affordable Housing & Community Development Industry. |
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NAHRO offers a variety of awards and recognition to persons who have made outstanding contributions to the housing and community development field. |
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NAHRO’s most prestigious award honors an exceptionally qualified person who has made outstanding contributions to the quality of life through service in the field of housing or community development.
Deadline: August 13, 2021
The International Research and Global Exchange Award, formerly known as the John D. Lange International Award, acknowledges a person who has made contributions to the international community.
Deadline: August 13, 2021
The Commissioner of the Year Award, formerly known as the Elizabeth B. Wells Memorial Award, celebrates the accomplishments and service of an outstanding commissioner.
Deadine: August 13, 2021
Emerging Leader Award highlights an individual who has been involved in NAHRO at the national, regional and/or chapter levels for at least five years and has distinguished him/herself as an Emerging Leader.
Deadline: August 13, 2021
The award recognizes both a vendor partner and a housing agency or community development agency whose partnership best exemplifies a joint effort that creates positive change.
Deadline: August 13, 2021
Roll of Achievers showcases residents who have made noteworthy efforts to improve as an individual or as a member of the community.
Deadline: Rolling Admissions
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PNRC NAHRO Members Save $$ and the Region Earns $$
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How does it work?
When registering, please use code: PNRC2020 (All CAPS)
and your $10 discount will automatically be applied, it’s that simple!
Please note: this code must be used when registering!
It cannot be retroactively applied.
What is Virtual Classroom?
Multi-day training delivered in a modular and a web-based format. Participants register individually and access the sessions with a direct email. Sessions are typically 3 hours (1:30-4:30pm ET) and spread out. This allows participants to balance learning with other work responsibilities. Attendance is recorded and upon successful completion, CEUs are applied towards certification requirements. Distance learnings are meant to be interactive. Participants will engage with the faculty member by discussions, polls and utilizing a chat feature.
Available Virtual Classrooms:
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For more information, contact NAHRO Professional Development at
202 580 7211 or
OR;
PNRC NAHRO Regional Service Officer 202.580.7203
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YOU COULD HAVE FEATURED YOUR AGENCY HERE!!!
We want to fill this newsletter with articles and pictures about you, but we can't do that unless you send them in. Send your pictures and articles to pnrc@nahro.org by July 13th to be featured in next month's newsletter!!
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NAHRO 2021 Leadership Election: A Conversation with Candidates for President & Senior Vice President |
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July 22 -- , 1-2 p.m. EST
Join NAHRO's Nominating and Election Committee on Thursday, July 22 at 1 p.m. EST for “A Conversation with Candidates for NAHRO President and Senior Vice President." This is your opportunity to get direct responses to your questions.
Announced candidates to date are:
- For President: Current Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Oakland Housing Authority Patricia Wells
- For Senior Vice President: Executive Director of Baltimore County Office of Housing Marsha J. Parham-Green, and CEO/Executive Director of Fort Wayne Housing Authority George Guy
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