Board Approves COVID-19 Housing Stability Program
Contact: Tawan Fields
Phone: 919.257.0103
Email: Tawan Fields
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[DURHAM, NC - July 24, 2020] - Dan Hudgins, Chairman of the Durham Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners announced that the Agency will implement a COVID-19 Housing Stability Program, to help families residing in DHA-owned communities that are behind on rent to retain their homes.
Hudgins says "DHA will work with families to ensure no family is evicted due to their inability to pay rent."
This announcement comes on the heels of the end of the national moratorium on evictions set to expire on July 24, 2020, that was authorized by Congress through the passage of the CARES Act.
"Durham Housing Authority is dedicated to working with our residents and recipients to minimize the impact of the end of the moratorium. We pledge to do all within our power to avoid evictions" says DHA Board Commissioner Robert "Bo" Glenn.
"These are unprecedented times, and the impacts of this virus will be long lasting, especially for low-income families. We are utilizing provisions in the CARES Act as well as additional guidance provided by HUD to enhance our ability to stabilize DHA families," stated Anthony Scott, DHA Chief Executive Officer.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has made it clear that the moratorium on evictions in no way authorized housing authorities to pay, or waive tenant rents, nor did it alleviate a housing authority's responsibility to collect rent. HUD has provided best practices to reference and encouraged housing authorities to use existing flexibilities to design repayment programs that will keep families housed. More information on HUD's Guidance can be found here. HUD has also provided guidance for Public Housing residents, encouraging them to reach out to their housing authority's management team for help. Resident Guidance can be found here.
The Durham Housing Authority houses over 1,200 families in its Public Housing communities. Public Housing families pay a monthly rent based on 30% of their income. Families with reduced incomes can have their rents adjusted to reflect the lower income, and take advantage of additional flexibilities that will be offered through the COVID-19 Housing Stability Program to remain stably housed.
