Agenda - Council - 09/13/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Provisions: Other for additional eligibility standards that apply to uses of funds for capital expenditures. Note that this enumerated eligible use describes "emergency housing assistance," or assistance for responses to the immediate or near -term negative economic impacts of the pandemic. The final rule also clarifies and expands the ability of recipients to use SLFRF funds to address the general lack of affordable housing and housing challenges underscored by the pandemic. For discussion of affordable housing eligible uses, including services that primarily increase access to affordable, high -quality housing and support stable housing and homeownership over the long term, see the eligible use for "promoting long-term housing security: affordable housing and homelessness." 3. Emergency assistance for pressing needs: burials, home repairs, weatherization, or other needs. The interim final rule included an enumerated eligible use for emergency assistance for burials, home repairs, weatherization, and other needs; these types of programs may provide emergency assistance for pressing and unavoidable household needs. Treasury did not receive comments on this eligible use and is maintaining it in the final rule. Background on Home Repairs and Weatherization: The economic downturn has meant fewer households had the resources needed to make necessary home repairs and improvements. In May 2021, 28 percent of landlords reported deferring maintenance and 27 percent of tenants reported maintenance requests going unanswered.114 While small and cosmetic repairs can often 114 Jung Hyun Choi, Laurie Goodman, and Daniel Pang, The Pandemic Is Making It Difficult for Mom -and -Pop Landlords to Maintain Their Properties, Urban Institute (July 23, 2021), https://www.urban.org/urban- wire/pandemic-making-it-difficult-mom-and-pop-landlords-maintain-their-properties. 84