Preventing Evictions During Covid-19 ...

Preventing Evictions During Covid-19: Information for Section 8 Owners

Thank you for your participation as an owner in the New York City Housing Authority's (NYCHA) Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and for providing a safe and affordable place for your tenants to live. NYCHA recognizes the challenges both tenants and owners face during this difficult time. The Section 8 program remains a reliable source of rental income for owners, while providing a stable home for participants. Section 8 owners also play a crucial role in reducing housing instability in New York City.

How to Avoid Eviction of Section 8 Participants and Obtain Rental Assistance

1. Educate yourself about the applicable federal, state, and local eviction moratorium. The Mayor's Office has compiled a summary of the federal and state eviction moratoriums impacting New York City. An additional summary of eviction moratoriums can be found here.

A number of separate eviction moratoria have recently been announced:

? The Tenant Safe Harbor Act is a new state law stating that tenants who have experienced financial hardship any time from March 7, 2020 to the date when all COVID-related safety restrictions are lifted in the region may not be evicted for failing to pay rent first owed during that period. This moratorium lasts until January 1, 2021, at the earliest, pursuant to an executive order issued by the Governor. More information about this state law can be found here, along with information about other state resources.

? The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order effective September 4, 2020, which prohibits landlords from evicting some tenants for nonpayment of rent through December 31, 2020. In order to be protected by this order, tenants must meet specific criteria and provide their landlord with a signed declaration, detailed here. If you receive a signed declaration from your tenant(s), please comply with the terms of the CDC eviction moratorium.

2. Reach out to your tenant(s). Find out why your tenant is behind on rent. Some families mistakenly believe they do not need to pay rent during an eviction moratorium. Direct outreach can help clarify uncertainties and ensure that families continue to be housed. Residents who do not speak English or have a disability may be at increased risk of not understanding the recent changes in rent rules or policies.

3. Ask your tenant if they have experienced a loss in income and if they have reported that loss in income to NYCHA. The Section 8 program is designed to provide affordable housing to families even when they lose their income or have their income reduced. Encourage your tenants to report their loss of income to NYCHA through the NYCHA Self-Service Portal () or by calling NYCHA's Customer Contact Center at 718- 707-7771, so that their tenant portion of the rent can be adjusted.

NYCHA 059.804 (11/9/20)v1

1 of 2 LHD_OWNER EVICTION PREVENTION FLYER

If a tenant is having trouble paying their adjusted rent portion, encourage the tenant to: ? Reach out to ACCESS NYC to see if they are eligible for rent assistance from the NYC Human Resources Administration. ? Contact the Homebase homelessness prevention program by calling 311 and asking for "Homebase" or using the Homebase locator to call the closest office. ? Contact the Tenant Helpline for assistance by calling 311 and asking for the "Tenant Helpline," or by filling out the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants' Contact Us form.

4. Set up a repayment agreement if the tenant cannot pay arrears in a lump sum. HUD encourages Section 8 owners to enter into repayment agreements with tenants so that families may continue to be housed. Repayment agreements should have reasonable payments spread out over time that will not cause an undue burden to the tenant and must follow any local or state eviction moratoriums, or other tenant or landlord protections in effect in NYC. Sample repayment agreements are available on HUD's website.

5. Offer information about available resources.

? Unemployment Insurance - unemployment; LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits

? Economic Impact Payments (stimulus payments) -

? Free tax preparation to help get tax refunds -

? Temporary Assistance for Needy Families -

? Emergency assistance resources - Community Action Agencies: cap/; or dial 211 on any phone; help-with-bills

? Childcare for Essential Workers acf.sites/default/files/occ/state_level_info_for_essential_workers_seeking_chi ld_care.pdf

? Immediate jobs available due to COVID-19 -

? Contact utility companies to ask for a repayment plan

NYCHA 059.804 (11/9/20)v1

2 of 2 LHD_OWNER EVICTION PREVENTION FLYER

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download