Colleagues,

Updating at several levels.  If you want details, please email me.  If there is something you want more information on tomorrow on our Friday call, please let me know today.

Remember, The News Tribune paywall is lifted for coronavirus articles.  They seem to be staying on top of key homelessness issues.  Some of the links that follow are on Sheila Miraflor's list.  Please note that governments at every level are updating information constantly.  Each of the federal and state departments has an email list to which you can subscribe.  As does the Tacoma Pierce County Public Health Department.  I have not found anything similar for the City of Tacoma, Pierce County or other cities/towns.  If you know of any, please share the information.  I'm looking for COVID-19 specific responses, resources, and information.  

I know everything just got scarier with Boeing's announcement.  Breathe.  Then breathe again.  

Federal
U.S. Government information is available at https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus

HUD:  COVID-19 Prevention and Response for Homeless Providers: Daily Resource Digest.  View the full COVID-19 SNAPS resource digest for a comprehensive list of websites and resources.  You do not need to be a HUD grantee to find this information useful.

HUD:  ESG and CDBG Funds
The first of these funds will be released along current allocations to states and certain local governments.  Tacoma, Lakewood, and Pierce County should be notified soon of their allocations.  The rest of the money will follow new formula allocations based on COVID-19 impact.  

On CDBG, the public service caps are waived which means all of the money could go to shelters.  Other requirements are also waived on both funds.  The key, I think, will be to use the various pots of money most efficiently and effectively to slow the spread of the virus among people experiencing homelessness, get people out of encampments and into housing, prevent more homelessness.  The public health department will deal with people who require quarantine, isolation, rest and recovery.  I'm guessing they'll use FEMA for that. Someday I'll have time to ask.  

Note: there are other monies going out under the CARES Act.  The State has received notice of its initial allocation under the money going to State and Local governments.  I don't know about Tacoma and Pierce County.  These monies could also be used for shelter.  

Note:  as far as I know, Social Security recipients including those who are not required to file federal taxes, will automatically receive the Economic Impact check depending on their income.  I do not know about those receiving SSI/SSDI or Veterans' Benefits.  I'll know more about how to help people experiencing homelessness become eligible after the National Low Income Housing Coalition call on Monday.  Don't panic - we have all of 2020 to make this money happen.  It will NOT cover everyone - undocumented people, certain youth/students, people without Social Security numbers.  One big issue will be getting the mailed checks to people who have changed their address but not notified the IRS.  Email me questions before 5pm Friday and I'll pass them on for Monday's call.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (https://www.coronavirus.gov) for health information. 

The Department of Treasury also has information available at Coronavirus: Resources, Updates, and What You Should Know.

State of Washington
This is the portal for Washington State Government:  https://coronavirus.wa.gov

Employment Security Department:  ESD is using several platforms to get information out to applicants and recipients   They are hiring to accommodate the load. Here's one FB message from them:  Trouble submitting your application? Benefits are retroactive and paid from your date of eligibility, not from the time your application was submitted or approved. Learn more http://ow.ly/A8NB50z0u78

Department of Commerce: whether you are a grantee or not, this page has excellent information.  In addition to its COVID-19 response, Commerce is continuing to award Housing Trust Fund grants and engage in the rest of its work.  https://www.commerce.wa.gov/covid-19-homeless-services

Department of Financial Institutions: For Homeowners: https://dfi.wa.gov/homeownership
Note:  The Washington Homeownership Center Hotline is:  1-877-894-4663.  Remember, Washington State has a long foreclosure process but you must follow the procedures at every step.  Mortgages backed by the federal government have different protections.  Call the hotline.  

City of Tacoma
The Mayor and Council are planning to review (and hopefully approve) a letter to the Governor asking him to expand the protections on evictions, late fees, and foreclosures in these challenging times. The City is also calling his office to let him know of this desire by our local leaders.

Pierce County
FEMA Grants Pierce County $15M for coronavirus response

City of Puyallup
Puyallup's Homeless wait out the coronavirus pandemic in tents along Riverwalk Trail

National Low Income Housing Coalition
Weekly National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing.  Over 2,300 organizers, advocates, reporters, and legislative staff attended to learn about the most pressing needs for homeless and housing-insecure individuals. You can find a recording of the call as well as the presentation slides and up-to-date news and resources on NLIHC’s website at: https://nlihc.org/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness.

Note:  anyone can register and join this call at the above link.  

Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Weekly COVID-19 Housing and Homelessness call. You'll find the recordings of the calls and other resources here: https://www.wliha.org/covid-19-resources , and I've attached the Alliance's notes on the April 1 call.   

 Note:  anyone can register and join this call.

TDSA & TEA Action Alert
TDSA's petition calling on the School Board and City of Tacoma to use vacant high school gyms as shelters. You can sign as an individual or as an organization.  
Here's the link: https://bit.ly/2WK7Wum. 

When you talk with elected officials and policy makers, I suggest you ask for:
1.  Safe shelter, by day and by night, for all.
2.  Move high risk people experiencing homelessness to individual housing units.
3.  Move children and their families inside. 
4.  Follow CDC Guidelines and implement a "no sweeps" policy.  Instruct law enforcement to educate, inform, and identity people at high risk and/or showing symptoms.  Provide adequate sanitation - garbage bins, hand washing stations, sorta potties, shower trailers, laundry trailers to all encampments.
5.  Prevent as much homelessness as possible though a robust rental assistance program.  Include payment of fees in rental assistance.  
6.  Support front line staff.   
7.  Ensure the homeless response system survives the pandemic.

As always, thank you for your work.

Be kind.  Be safe.
Maureen


MaureenHowardConsulting
maureenhowardconsulting@gmail.com

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