This message was originally sent out on the SNAPS HUD.gov mailing list. HUD Exchange is redistributing this message for awareness. Instructions to subscribe to the HUD.gov listserv are located at the end of this message.
Operating Requirements
On May 5, 2021, the Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published PIH Notice 2021-15: Emergency Housing Vouchers – Operating Requirements, which outlines the requirements for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) who will be invited to administer approximately 70,000 vouchers nation-wide. These vouchers are a strategic investment of $5 billion funded as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which provides over $1.9 trillion in relief to address the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, public health, State and local governments, individuals, and businesses.
The eligible populations for the Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) are individuals and families who are:
- Homeless
- At-risk of Homelessness
- Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking
- Recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability, including clients in rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing programs
These vouchers represent an exciting opportunity for collaboration between Continuums of Care (CoC) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) providers and local PHAs. PHAs must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with their local partners to receive referrals for the Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) from local Coordinated Entry System. HUD expects local communities, including the CoC and PHA, to work together to ensure that these resources are targeted to those with the most need in the community and to work together to ensure that these voucher holders are successfully housed and receive needed supportive services to maintain their housing. These collaborations should be grounded in equity, ensuring that these resources help address the overrepresentation of people of color in the homeless system. Additional resources for addressing equity in homelessness are available at the Racial Equity and Homelessness page on the HUD Exchange.
Emergency Housing Voucher Allocations Announced
On May 10, 2021, PIH will send letters to 696 PHAs, inviting the PHAs to administer 70,000 EHVs. A list of PHAs invited to administer these vouchers is available at the Emergency Housing Vouchers page on HUD.gov.
EHVs represent a historic opportunity for partnership between PHAs and CoCs. To support these partnerships, HUD’s office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) is holding a webinar on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM EDT. Participants do not need to register in advance.
Join the webinar.
Who should attend?
- CoC staff
- Coordinated Entry staff
- Homeless service providers
- Coordinators for services and housing
Future Webinars
HUD will be holding a series of calls and webinars to support communities as they launch partnerships to ensure that these vouchers are quickly issued, leased, and receive ongoing supports. PIH and SNAPS staff discussed the Operations Notice during the Office Hours session on May 7, 2021, and a recording will be posted soon. Join future SNAPS Office Hours sessions. More information on EHVs can be found at the Emergency Housing Vouchers page on HUD.gov. HUD will send notification of future webinars as they are available.
SNAPS Mailing List Subscription
SNAPS is now using two different listservs to communicate competition and program updates:
- Subscribe to the HUD.gov listserv for information developed by HUD/SNAPS regarding the CoC program, ESG program, YHDP, Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) developed by SNAPS, and any other information related to SNAPS programs and the work to end homelessness.
- Subscribe to the HUD Exchange listserv for information and guidance produced by HUD technical assistance providers regarding SNAPS programs.
HUD recommends SNAPS grantees and interested stakeholders remain subscribed to the HUD Exchange mailing list in addition to subscribing to the new HUD.gov mailing lists. Please communicate this information to your homeless organizations, local government contacts, and other interested stakeholders.
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