U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Distressed Cities Technical Assistance

District of Columbia Department of Health

DC Board of Elections: Request Absentee Ballots

Virginia
Department of Health

Loudoun County Launches New Data Dashboards
Loudoun County Expands Rent Assistance Program

Fairfax County
Update from Chairman McKay
Fairfax RISE (Applications open Early June Fairfax County Social Safety Net Nonprofit Sustainability Grants Program (NSG [4/29] FY2020 Third Quarter Review Update with Guidance on the Allocation of $200 million CARES Act Funding

Maryland
Department of Health

Maryland DHCD

Montgomery County
[5/4] Update from County Executive Marc Elrich
If you have vacant housing units please reach out to Housing 4 All Campaign
[4/29] COVID-19 Renters Relief Act

Prince George’s County
[5/20] Modifications to the Prince George’s COVID-19 Business Relief Fund
[5/11] Prince George’s Rental Assistance Program
[4/23] Update from County Executive Angela Alsobrooks
[4/22] Capital Area Food Bank’s COVID-19 Response Gains Additional Support From Bank of America to Support PG County
Business Relief Fund [Deadline – May 15]

Until now, most of the policy response to the health and financial crisis has focused appropriately on immediate relief to those who need it most, including renters. However, a national response is also needed to address renters facing long-term unemployment and heavy housing burdens. New project-based rental assistance would simultaneously stabilize renters, protect scarce properties from deterioration, and preserve rent affordability.

• A Housing Strategy for the Medium Term

HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing has recently published FAQs for owners and managers of HUD assisted housing. While much of the HUD FAQs is focused on issues that all owners may encounter, there are also takeaways pertinent to affordable properties dealing with residents who may be impacted by the virus, including guidance on rent payments and income recertifications.

Additionally, HUD has released a CDBG Quick Guide to Support Infectious Disease Response, which provides grantees with information on implementing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in a coordinated effort with local health authorities before undertaking any activity to support state or local pandemic response.

• FAQs for owners and managers of HUD assisted housing
• CDBG Quick Guide to Support Infectious Disease Response

LeadingAge has put together several materials for housing providers, including template letters, media statements and visitation guidance. If your community serves older adults specifically, they also have provided key resources that could be helpful:

• Template for Generic Resident Letter
• Template for Generic Resident Letter
• Special Visitor Guidance
• Sample Media Talking Points
• Sample Media Statement on COVID-19 Preparation
• Sample Letter to Employees
• Sample Letter to Residents and Families
• Template Media Statement for a COVID-19 Outbreak in Your Community
• Template Letter for Residents in Affected Counties
• Template Letter for Residents in Non-Affected Counties
• Template Letter for Staff in Affected Counties
• Template Letter for Staff in Non-Affected Counties

Urban Institute has organized key recommendations on how communities and programs can prepare for COVID-19, including resources on infectious disease preparedness, reducing infectious disease transmission, managing the spread of infectious disease in shelters, managing the spread of infectious disease in encampments and CDC guidance for preparing facilities for COVID-19.

For child care and early education providers, the federal government and many states already have plans developed in the aftermath of natural disasters in the past decade. These evidence-based materials are valuable to leaders and adults seeking how to prepare for the COVID-19 virus. Urban Institute has also published resources at the state and federal level for child care providers, early education providers, administrators, teachers and families.

• How Programs Addressing Homelessness Can Prepare for the Coronavirus
• Policies, Practices, and Resources for Child Care and Early Education Providers Amid the Coronavirus Crisis

Hertzbach has compiled several resources to help organizations prepare for the impacts of COVID-19. Whether it is navigating tax relief, understanding government and state resources as well as providing resources from their own practice. Hertzbach’s website will be updated regularly.

• Learn More

CSH has pulled together information from a variety of sources, considering the material from the vantage point of supportive housing providers, affordable housing providers and property managers to help your agency best support your residents, your staff and your community.

• Guidance for Supportive Housing Providers, Affordable Housing Providers and Property Managers

Nixon Peabody has pulled together guidance on topics that owners, managers and other providers of market-rate and affordable housing should consider as they make plans to address the COVID-19 virus.

• UPDATE COVID-19 Guidance for Owners and Managers of Multifamily Residential Properties
• Housing-related provisions in “Phase 3” coronavirus stimulus
• COVID-19 Guidance for Owners and Managers of Multifamily Residential Properties
• Rehab in Place in the Age of COVID-19

Property managers inherently have a high standard of responsibility, but especially in uncertain times there are many people who rely on them as leaders to keep them safe and protect their interests. From employees, to owners, investors, residents, and tenants, there are several aspects of preparedness, business operations, and communication needed to address each one of these stakeholders when faced with the threat of a pandemic. Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) has released a guide for property managers to successfully plan for the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• IREM Pandemic Guide For Property Managers

Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition is posting the most current resources from the federal and state government, national and state industry and advocacy groups, and from their members.

• MAHC COVID-19 Resource Page

AHTCC is a trade organization of housing professionals who advocate for affordable rental housing financed using the Housing Credit. Given the significant impact of the current COVID-19 crisis on the ability develop to build and preserve affordable housing, the AHTCC and their partners at the ACTION Campaign have provided recommendations to Congress that will help to mitigate negative effects and allow practitioners to continue to build sorely needed homes for low-income households by providing accommodations for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit).

• Federal COVID-19 Response Resources Relating to Affordable Housing

The National Low Income Housing Coalition released a new interactive “Housing Instability and COVID-19 Map. The map shows for each U.S. county the number of renters who are experiencing or at-risk of housing instability, including extremely low-income renters who are severely housing cost-burdened or living in overcrowded conditions, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Continuum of Care to which each county belongs, and which counties have confirmed COVID-19 cases.

• NLIHC Housing Instability and COVID-19 Map.
• FEMA Tool Kit

CohnReznick has compiled a series of resources and webinars to assist the community navigate COVID-19 related impacts and resulting legislature including the recently passed CARES act.

Covid-19 Resource Center

ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

• Obtaining Covid-19 Financial Relief: An Overview Of SBA, Cares, and Alternative Financing Strategies
• BUSINESS TRIAGE & STABILIZATION: Bolster Finance and Operations Against Coronavirus Disruption

TAX ALERTS/ INSIGHTS

• Understanding a key provision in the CARES coronavirus relief act: The Paycheck Protection Program
• CARES coronavirus relief act: What you and your business need to know
• Understanding the SBA disaster relief loan program for COVID-19
• Department of Labor issues model notice for coronavirus emergency leave requirements

The Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley is a collaboration between the College of Environmental Design (CED) and the Haas School of Business. The Terner Center leverages applied research and best practices to inform and advance innovation in the planning, financing, design and development of the built environment. Recently, The Terner Center published an article on lessons learned from the Great Recession and how it can apply to housing aid during current events. 

• Read the Article “Lessons from the Great Recession Today”  Here

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs (MOVA), the District’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) and Via Transportation have expanded VetsRide to include DC veterans, who are recently unemployed.

Ride vouchers have been increased from four to 10 vouchers per month, with the option of rolling over any unused voucher into the following month.  VetsRide destinations include health and housing appointments, food distribution sites, grocery stores, pharmacies, educational opportunities, and employment.

• DC veterans can enroll in the VetsRide program Monday – Thursday, from 10am – 4pm, by calling 202-724-4010

The National Initiative on Mixed-Income Communities, Trusted Space Partners, and the Programs in Property Management and Real Estate at Virginia Tech convened a group of affordable housing professionals operating mixed-income communities to discuss how they are helping their residents cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations that are a product of that conversation are linked below:

• Helping Affordable Housing Residents Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic

After much anticipation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (Federal Reserve) on April 9, 2020 announced additional actions “using its full range of authorities to provide powerful support for the flow of credit in the economy.”

• CARES Act Financial Assistance to Municipalities

Ballard Spahr is monitoring and reporting on EEOC’s updates to ‘Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace’ Guidance to Address COVID-19

• EEOC Updates Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace Guidance

  JPMorgan Chase has made a $50 Million philanthropic investment to help address immediate and long-term impacts of COVID-19.  This commitment will address humanitarian and economic challenges, supporting vulnerable and underrepresented communities, small businesses and existing nonprofit partners.

• Learn more about JPMorgan Chase’s Commitment

Minnesota Avenue Main Street (MAMS) Business Resilience Fund will help small businesses along the Minnesota Avenue commercial corridor thrive and prosper in place. MAMS intends to fund a total of $40,000 in grants, with awards of up to $10,000 per small business. Applications are due July 30th and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the funding is exhausted.

• Apply to the Minnesota Avenue Main Street Business Resilience Fund here .

Truist is offering relief measures, allowing greater access to capital for borrowers and empowering our teammates to support clients affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The relief measures include: payment relief assistance, temporary waiving of ATM surcharge fees, and supporting cash flow needs for clients who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Learn more about Truist’s Financial Relief Measures

Whether you are guiding staff about travel or remote work arrangements, seeking guidance from other groups in response to Covid-19, fielding donors’ questions or worrying that the virus will dampen your fundraising, there are many items to consider as a nonprofit organization. The Chronicle of Philanthropy has put together resources for nonprofit leaders, communications staff, Human Resources and more.

• The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Resources to Help Nonprofits

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC), in collaboration with FSC First and the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, is working to inform small businesses about the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. This program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they may be experiencing. The SBA has declared Prince George’s County an economic disaster area that qualifies for this program.

• Small businesses interested in applying should visit the SBA website.
• If your small business needs assistance with the application process, please reach out to the EDC, FSC First, or the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce.

For millions of low-income Americans who don’t have Internet service at home, this uncertain time is going to be even more difficult to manage. As schools and businesses close and families are encouraged, or even mandated, to stay home, Internet connectivity becomes even more important. Comcast is offering 60 days of complimentary Internet connectivity (with increased speed) to low-income families by way of its Internet Essentials program.

• [4/27] Comcast Extends Comprehensive COVID Response Polices to June 30
• Internet Essentials Program

The Greater Washington Community Foundation is coordinating with Center for Nonprofit Advancement, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, United Way of the National Capital Area and Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers to rapidly raise and deploy critical resources to nonprofits on the frontlines of responding to the urgent health and economic needs of disproportionately impacted communities in Greater Washington. The Greater Washington  Community Foundation has established the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to support emergency preparedness and response efforts, and to help mitigate the impact on disproportionately affected communities in our region. Through this fund, the partners are focused on addressing lost wages, relief for small business and gig economy workers, expanding access to medical services, and meeting the unique needs of people experiencing homelessness, among other needs.

• Donations to COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

In response to the outbreak, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) has launched the CDP COVID-19 Response Fund to support preparedness, containment, response and recovery activities for those affected and for the responders. The CDP COVID-19 Response Fund will focus on supporting local nonprofit organizations working in areas identified as having high numbers of affected individuals and those who are working with the most vulnerable populations in these areas to help build their capacity for response. These will include social service organizations focused on supporting hourly wage earners, workers in the gig economy, immigrant/New American populations, older adults, people with disabilities and other communities vulnerable to the physical health, mental health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

• Donations to CDP COVID-19 Response Fund

The United Way of the National Capital Area (NCA) is setting up an emergency assistance fund for those affected by COVID-19, with the goal of providing funds to local nonprofits that provide economic assistance and access to food and basic supplies, including Martha’s Table, Northern Virginia Family Service, Community Service Agency, the Capital Area Food Bank, Arlington Food Assistance Center and the Manna Food Center.

• Donations to United Way NCA Emergency Assistance Fund

As COVID-19 puts our most vulnerable neighbors at risk, The Community Builders has organized an emergency fund that will help residents with food assistance, financial support and health & hygiene supplies.

• Donations to The Community Builders Emergency Fund

Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) is aware low-income families are likely to be disproportionately affected by healthcare costs, price gouging for preparedness supplies, and lost hourly income amid COVID-19. APAH’s Resident Emergency Fund provides urgent rent assistance and funds for other emergency needs. As its residents are already experiencing income loss, APAH is coordinating closely with its partners in Arlington County and non-profit safety-net providers to meet emergency needs.

• Donations to APAH Emergency Fund

ACT for Alexandria and the City of Alexandria established the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund to provide emergency funding to nonprofits that are delivering the critical services and programs that are needed by Alexandrians right now.

• Donations to the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has launched the COVID-19 Response Fund for Northern Virginia. The Fund will attract and provide flexible funding resources for nonprofit organizations and other programs in our region responding to COVID-19 and its impacts. The Fund’s focus will be to help communities who are disproportionately impacted by the virus and its economic consequences.

• Donations to the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund

The Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) has established the COVID-19 Evolving Community Needs Fund to enable rapid response to mitigate the effects of the public health emergency our region is currently facing. One hundred percent of all donated funds will go directly to address the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our region’s communities, workforce, and vulnerable populations.

• Donations to BCF Evolving Community Needs Fund

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHoCO) is soliciting donations for the Howard County Community Relief Fund. As the community progresses through this health care emergency, CFHoCO will collaborate with other funders and develop a fair and well-managed process to support the nonprofit sector which delivers frontline services to the community.

• Donations to the Howard County Community Relief Fund

The United Way of Central Maryland is working to mobilize volunteers and has established the new COVID-19 Community Fund for Central Maryland to support the community, and in particular, support those who operate on the frontlines of providing help and resources to those in need.

• Donations to the United Way COVID-19 Community Fund

The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is inviting donations through its Emergency Response Network that will go directly to the Community Action Council to assist in providing adequate amounts of food to support Head Start families in Howard County.

• Donations to the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County Emergency Response Network

Persons experiencing homelessness in particular may be at risk for infection during an outbreak of COVID-19. Community of Hope’s medical, dental, and emotional wellness services remain open and accessible for those experiencing symptoms.

• Medical, Dental and Emotional Wellness Services

Arlington Free Clinic provides free, high-quality healthcare to low-income, uninsured Arlington County adults through the generosity of donors and volunteers. The clinic is seeing current Arlington Free Clinic patients who think they have symptoms of COVID-19. You can support the clinic at the link below.

• Donations to Arlington Free Clinic

Cornerstones is working closely with government and community partners to continue critical supportive services safely during this time. There are several opportunities to donate to its shelter, pantry and the Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center & Connections for Hope Partnership. Items that are needed include: cleaning products, fast food and grocery store gift cards, toiletries, rice, beans, bleach and paper towel among several other items.

• Donations to Cornerstones

So Others Might Eat (SOME) is in need of several over-the-counter medicine, household and food items to help support any clients/residents who may become ill.

• Donations to SOME Response Supply

Throughout this difficult time, Martha’s Table is doubling down on its mission to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities. The organization is calling for volunteers to help bag healthy foods for children and families affected by school closures and to prep, cook, and package meals for the nightly, hot meal distribution on McKenna’s Wagon. Additionally, Martha’s Table is partnering with DC Health, the Capital Area Food Bank, and DCPS and DCPCS to ensure bags of groceries are available at designated food access sites. Martha’s Outfitters will also continue to offer access to essential resources.

• Learn more about opportunities available through Martha’s Table

The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) recognizes its responsibility to continue its services to all in need in its community. AFAC has already seen a sharp decrease in food donations from local grocery stores. Visit the link below to make a donation to help AFAC keep its warehouse full for families in need.

• Donations to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)

Several other local nonprofits are having trouble maintaining supplies of items to keep their offices safe for their clients, who rely on their critical services. Check out the below link for more details on how you can support these organizations in need of toiletries, cleaning supplies, non-perishable food and volunteers among other items.

• How You Can Help Local Organizations Impacted By The Coronavirus

While N Street Village has had to temporarily pause its non-essential programing, its staff has been working to ensure it can meet the basic needs of the women it serves each day across D.C. The organization relies on donated items from the community, and they are distributed free of charge to the women who use its services.

The team at N Street Village recently shared that Coronavirus reached the Village. The team moved into quick action, working closely with their city partners to ensure those impacted are receiving quality medical care. As always, they are dedicated to keeping their doors open and providing essential services to each woman that comes to the Village.   

• A donation of $29 can provide a “Stay at Home Kit” with essential supplies for one Permanent Supportive Housing client. 

This is an unprecedented event, and we are all now in uncharted waters – never have we experienced a pandemic of this magnitude. The older adults Seabury Resources for Aging serves are most at risk. Seabury is working diligently, 24 hours a day, to protect the health of our customers, residents, clients, families and staff members.

• Donations to Seabury Resources for Aging

AHDC has set a goal in how they respond to COVID-19: “We want no household to have to move because of COVID-19” to that end they are raising funds to prevent displacement of their residents.

• Donations to AHDC’s COVID-19 Fund

Mission First Housing Group works to ensure that everyone has access to a safe, affordable place to call home. Right now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, access to housing is one of the most important things we can do to keep individuals, families and communities safe and healthy. 

Mission First Housing Group need your help so their residents can continue to live independently in their own homes through this crisis and beyond.The pandemic is affecting everyone, but the vulnerable populations we serve are even more at risk.

• Donations to Mission First Housing Group

The Father McKenna Center’s Food Pantry is still operating for DC residents who live in Ward 6. The Center also partnered with the Capital Area Food Bank to be a community hub for the DC. It is one of a few hubs that will provide food for anyone who is in need of it.

The Food Pantry operates Monday-Friday from 10:45-11:50am. This program is for residents who reside in Ward 6 ONLY. The Community Food Distribution Hub operates Monday-Thursday from 1:30-2:30pm. Participants only need to provide a valid DC ID.

• [5/1] Father McKenna Community Food Hub
• Learn More about Father McKenna Center Volunteer Opportunities

With the economy’s uncertainty, job loss skyrocketing, and nonessential businesses closed through early summer, the COVID-19 outbreak continues to take its toll on the community – physically, emotionally, and financially. This year, Wesley Housing is once again joining over 150 local nonprofits for Alexandria’s online fundraiser, Spring2ACTion. This local giving day will serve as an essential platform for nonprofits to engage the community to help raise critical funding during this uncertain time. Wesley Housing is accepting donations NOW through April 15^th. Your donations will help meet the urgent needs of the low-income families and individuals living in our communities who are least able to withstand the current crisis.

• Give to Wesley Housing’s Spring2ACTion Campaign