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U.S. Treasury Department calls on state and local governments to loosen documentation requirements under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program

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    U.S. Treasury Department calls on state and local governments to loosen documentation requirements under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program

    Calling on state and local governments to ease documentation requirements under the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, the U.S. Treasury Department (Treasury) recently released examples of streamlined self-attestation forms for use by program grantees. Treasury released the sample forms to help expedite the delivery of rental assistance under the program and ensure that local level ERA programs are as effective as possible. In addition to the forms, Treasury is also hosting information sessions and providing technical support to help state and local grantees, including counties, identify methods to increase the efficiency of their ERA programs.

    Treasury has encouraged grantees to make use of the documentation flexibilities outlined in ERA guidance released by the department. Treasury is advising grantees to allow renters to use self-attestation to prove they meet ERA eligibility requirements, including COVID-related hardships, income, housing stability and the amount of rental arrears owed. Grantees are also allowed to verify income eligibility using on fact-based proxies, such as residence in a low-income neighborhood.

    In addition to the streamlined self-attestation forms, Treasury released a number of other resources that counties can take advantage of to strengthen their ERA programs and deliver assistance those in need more quickly. These include:

    • Promising practices around eviction diversion
    • Partnerships in program implementation
    • Culturally and linguistically competent outreach
    • Intentional landlord engagements
    • Collaboration with local utility companies
    • Adjusting program strategies to meet local needs
    • Making the application process simple and user friendly
    • Using fact-specific proxies to establish applicant income
    • Automation supporting applicant prioritization
    • Data-driven program strategies

    NACo will continue to work with Treasury to advocate for county priorities as the Department provides assistance for both renters and homeowners. NACo has also established a federal Emergency Rental Assistance program resource hub, a COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse and a breakdown of funding provided in the American Rescue Plan Act, which counties can utilize to navigate the funding and assistance available to them as they work to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic at the local level.

    Additional Resources

    • NACo Blog: Treasury releases updated FAQs on federal Emergency Rental Assistance program
    • NACo Blog: Treasury issues addendum to Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) reporting guidance
    • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Rental Assistance Finder tool

    Calling on state and local governments to ease documentation requirements under the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, the U.S. Treasury Department (Treasury) recently released examples of streamlined self-attestation forms for use by program grantees.
    2021-08-16
    Blog
    2021-08-16
U.S. Treasury Department releases new resources to help state and local governments deliver federal Emergency Rental Assistance more quickly U.S. Treasury Department encourages federal Emergency Rental Assistance grantees to streamline and loosen documentation requirements

Calling on state and local governments to ease documentation requirements under the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, the U.S. Treasury Department (Treasury) recently released examples of streamlined self-attestation forms for use by program grantees. Treasury released the sample forms to help expedite the delivery of rental assistance under the program and ensure that local level ERA programs are as effective as possible. In addition to the forms, Treasury is also hosting information sessions and providing technical support to help state and local grantees, including counties, identify methods to increase the efficiency of their ERA programs.

Treasury has encouraged grantees to make use of the documentation flexibilities outlined in ERA guidance released by the department. Treasury is advising grantees to allow renters to use self-attestation to prove they meet ERA eligibility requirements, including COVID-related hardships, income, housing stability and the amount of rental arrears owed. Grantees are also allowed to verify income eligibility using on fact-based proxies, such as residence in a low-income neighborhood.

In addition to the streamlined self-attestation forms, Treasury released a number of other resources that counties can take advantage of to strengthen their ERA programs and deliver assistance those in need more quickly. These include:

NACo will continue to work with Treasury to advocate for county priorities as the Department provides assistance for both renters and homeowners. NACo has also established a federal Emergency Rental Assistance program resource hub, a COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse and a breakdown of funding provided in the American Rescue Plan Act, which counties can utilize to navigate the funding and assistance available to them as they work to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic at the local level.

Additional Resources

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    Community, Economic & Workforce Development Steering Committee

    Responsible for all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development including the creation of affordable housing and housing options for different populations, residential, commercial, and industrial development, and building and housing codes. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Priorities
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    <p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development including the creation of affordable housing and housing options for different populations, residential,

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