NCSHA COVID-19 Blogs, News, and Resources
The most recent NCSHA blogs, news, resources, statements, and talking points for HFAs are available below. For a curated compilation of COVID-19 information, guidelines, and notices published by state HFAs, the Administration, HUD, and other federal agencies, please visit the 
COVID-19 Resources and Updates Center.
NCSHA Washington Report | September 17, 2021
During a week when historic housing legislation advanced in Congress, HUD announced it “will begin obligating” billions for homeless housing relief to states and cities, and FHFA continued...
NCSHA Washington Report | September 10, 2021
With millions of renters billions behind on rent and utilities, and many at grave risk of losing their homes, it’s understandable the primary federal policy to help them catch up — the...
Joint Letter to Chairwoman Waters on Amending Emergency Rental Assistance Authorizing Statute
On September 2, 2021, NCSHA, along with other major national organizations representing Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) grantees — the National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, National American Indian Housing Council, American Public Human Services Association, Council of State Community Development Agencies, and National Community Development Association — sent this letter to House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) providing recommendations on amending the ERA program to eliminate statutory barriers in administration and expedite the provision of assistance to eligible households.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program Side-By-Side
This side-by-side compares the first round of funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance program (authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, enacted December 27, 2020) to the second round of funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance program (provided in the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted March 11, 2021).
NCSHA Washington Report | August 27, 2021
This week, the Treasury Department announced new flexibilities for state and local governments administering federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds, and the House passed a budget...
Treasury Adopts NCSHA’s Recommendations Clarifying and Providing Greater Flexibility in Emergency Rental Assistance Program Guidance
Today, the U.S. Treasury Department issued updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, adopting many of the recommendations NCSHA has been pursuing since last Spring. NCSHA, working in partnership with other organizations representing grantees at the state, county, city, and tribal government levels, has been pressing Treasury to make many of these changes to reduce administrative burdens so that grantees could accelerate the processing of ERA applications, expediting payments of rent and utilities on behalf of qualified households.
NCSHA Washington Report | August 20, 2021
Just two months in as acting director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Sandra Thompson is exerting leadership that represents real change at the powerful regulator. Thompson’s...
NCSHA Washington Report | August 13, 2021
An avalanche of missed payments that buries borrowers of color deepest. A burdensome legacy of debt that denies affordable housing opportunity. An expensive policy problem that divides Democrats...
NCSHA Urges IRS and Treasury to Extend Housing Credit COVID-19 Relief
On August 13, NCSHA sent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) a letter urging them to extend certain temporary Housing Credit relief provisions in IRS Notice 2021-12 in light of the continuing disruption the COVID-19 pandemic is having on development and construction activities and the ongoing operation of Housing Credit properties.
NCSHA Letters to IRS and Treasury on Extending Housing Credit COVID-19 Relief
On August 13, 2021, NCSHA sent this letter to the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of the Treasury urging them to extend certain temporary Housing Credit relief provisions in IRS Notice 2021-12 as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt development and construction activities and the operation of Housing Credit properties. On October 15, 2021, NCSHA sent Treasury and IRS a follow-up letter providing further clarity and illustrative examples of our recommendations.
Featured ERA Program: Kentucky Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund
Rental and utility assistance is available to Kentuckians. The Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund (HHERF) portal is now accepting applications for rent and utility assistance.
Ten Steps for Accelerating Emergency Rental Assistance
State and local administrators of the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program can get more relief to more renters more quickly by adopting proven practices. NCSHA encourages all ERAP grantees to adopt the practices compiled in this document.
