COVID-19

COVID 19 and Housing

Details: Written by Andy Birkey

As COVID19 precautions and shutdowns continue, MHP will be monitoring the impact to affordable housing and advocating for policies that support renters and homeowners, and support production and preservation of affordable housing.

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State Actions

Federal Actions

Local Actions

MHP's Response

Infographics

Analysis and Data

MHP COVID-19 and Housing Weekly Call

With the end of the legislative session, we are taking a break next week; MHP will NOT host a conference call on Friday, May 29. Check back here for registration information on our next call soon!

May 22: Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here
May 15: Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here
May 8: Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here
May 1: Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here, Meeting chat (PDF): here
April 24: Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here
April 17: Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here
April 10: Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here, Additional materials: here
April 3: Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here
March 27: Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here

Actions MHP and partners are taking now:

MHP is advocating for affordable housing resources and policy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. MHP’s policy response prioritizes those with the greatest needs. MHP works in coalition with partners on supports to the affordable housing continuum.

Emergency Housing Assistance, State of Minnesota. MHP is advocating for $100 million in housing assistance through the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program.

Press release on Rental Assistance - 3.24.20

Press release on Rental Assistance - 3.26.20

Homes for All Submits COVID-19 Response Letter. On March 14, the Homes for All Coalition asked that a top priority in any responsive legislation be funding for housing and homelessness prevention. Read the entire letter here.

On March 15, MHP sent a letter requesting $100 million in Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) funding. Read the letter here.

On March 24, MHP's Public Policy Advisory Group provided funding and administrative recommendations to Senator Jeff Hayden. Read the letter here.

On April 7, 2020, MHP sent a letter to Legislative Leadership urging support for Housing Assistance. Read that here.

MHP Factsheet: Recommendations for Local Government Action to support COVID-19 and Housing Stability, here. (May 2020)

Letter urging Minnesota DEED to prioritize CDBG funds for rental assistance and housing support dated May 7, 2020, signed by multiple organizations, here.

On May 14, 2020 MHP sent a letter to Legislative Leadership emphasizing the need for Housing Infrastructure Bonds, and General Obligation Bonds for public housing, here.

COVID-19 Housing Support Letters to Congressional Delegation:

On March 19, 2020, MHP sent a letter to the Minnesota Congressional Delegation urging inclusion of emergency housing support in response to COVID-19; read that letter here. On April 8, 2020 MHP sent a follow up letter urging support for housing needs on emergency housing assistance and rural housing needs, here.

On April 8, 2020 MHP and the Minnesota Chapter of Opportunity Starts at Home sent a letter, here, to the Minnesota Congressional Delegation urging support for emergency housing assistance.

Letter from 52 organizations to Congresswoman McCollum, dated April 28, 2020, requesting that she prioritize appropriations for housing and homelessness in the next COVID-19 response package, here.

Letters to Local Government on COVID-19 Housing Stability Needs

MHP letter to Hennepin County Commissioners on April 21, 2020, advocating for resources for emergency housing assistance, here.

MHP has signed on to these letters

Request for a national utility and water shut-off moratorium, here.

Request that Hennepin County provide additional emergency housing assistance, here.

Request, of March 19, 2020, to Congressional leadership to ensure federal COVID-19 response packages address the needs of people experiencing homelessness and housing stability for low-income individuals, here.

Advocating, in an April 16 letter to Minnesota recipients of CDBG allocations, that Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds Should Support Housing Assistance Programs, here.

Letter, dated May 14, 2020, to Governor Walz requesting that his office take action to protect energy and water customers during COVID-19, here.

Important State Actions

Eviction Moratorium and Emergency Assistance Bill Introduced

On March 16th, Rep. Howard announced legislation to place a statewide moratorium on evictions as well as provide emergency housing assistance to thousands of Minnesotans who may face housing instability as a result of COVID-19. Read more here.

Utility Shutoff Moratoriums

Cleanenergy.org has a constantly updated list of utilities and municipalities that have declared moratoriums on utility shutoffs.

Eviction Cases to be Suspended

A statewide order and announcement from the MN Judicial Branch directs that almost all types of eviction cases will be suspended for 14 days. Read more here.

Gov. Tim Walz issued an eviction moratorium on Mar. 23. More information here.

Tenants who experience threats of eviction or removal from their home can file a complaint with MN AG office here.

Resources

MHFA COVID-19 and Housing resource page.

Important Local Actions

St. Paul Bridge Fund

Responding to COVID-19 the city of St. Paul has established the St. Paul Bridge Fund. This will help provide temporary housing assistance for the most vulnerable, and hardest hit families experiencing losses due to COVID-19. Learn more and apply for funds here.

Minneapolis Gap Funds for Housing

Mayor Jacob Frey, in partnership with the City Council and City leadership, are dedicating gap funding for Minneapolis residents hit hardest by COVID-19. These funds include $2 million in emergency housing assistance, and up to $1 million added to the Stable Homes Stable Schools initiative. Learn more here.

Important federal actions

The CARES Act. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on March 27th, 2020. The CARES Act provides more than $12 billion in funding for HUD programs. NLIHC’s chart of House, Senate and final bill is found here; explanation of the bill’s housing provisions, prepared by NLIHC, is found here.

Department of Housing and Urban Development

HUD’s COVID-19 Information and Resources Page, here

Questions and answers for multi-family stakeholders, here (4.16.20)

CDBG: HUD COVID-19 Guidance Providing Waivers for CDBG CARES Act Supplemental Funding, here (4.9.20)

USDA

USDA Rural Development COVID-19 FAQ’s, Action, and Information, here

MHP's Response to COVID-19

MHP offices are physically closed effective Monday, March 16th through March 31st, to be extended if needed, following the advice of national, state, and local public health authorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. MHP is working to reduce the burden on health care systems, along with our stakeholders and partners. We urge everyone to engage in social distancing and other preventative health behaviors as well.

MHP business functions are fully operational for this period. Our meetings will switch to email, phone, and video conferencing. Technical assistance for rural and tribal communities will continue and we will continue to advocate for affordable housing both locally and nationally, as the economic downturn makes affordable housing that much more essential.

Our work has never been more important. Housing is health care. We will continue to work toward our mission that everyone has safe, decent, affordable housing. Please continue to reach out to us on how we can help support you and your communities during this time.