STATECovid Impacted Shelter Program. Last week, the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery announced a new $6 million fund to help existing homeless shelters address pandemic related expenses for 2021. The Covid Impacted Shelter Program is available to existing homeless shelters in New Hampshire (homeless service providers providing shelter and related services to homeless individuals and families as of January 1, 2021) for modifications and operating costs. More details regarding eligible expenses and submission deadlines can be found in GOFERR’s FAQs on the program. The application period opened on October 28, 2021 and closes on December 15, 2021. HomeHelpNH. HomeHelpNH recently relaunched its website to provide a consolidated portal for rent and mortgage assistance. Applicants can apply to the NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program and learn about the new Homeowners Assistance Fund expected to launch soon. According to the website, eligible HAF Program expenses will likely include: 1) mortgage payment assistance and mortgage reinstatement; 2)homeowner’s association fees or liens, condominium association fees and manufactured home park rent; 3) homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance, mortgage insurance; 4) property taxes; 5) utilities, including electric, gas, home energy, water, wastewater; and 6) internet services. Housing Caucus. Following the release of the Council on Housing Stability’s Strategic Plan, Housing Action NH helped establish a new legislative housing caucus. Co-chaired by Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka and Representative Joe Alexander, the mission of the caucus is to engage and educate other policymakers on issues related to affordable housing, housing stability, and homelessness and supports policy advancements to address the housing crisis. Current members include: Senator Jeb Bradley; Senator Perkins Kwoka; Senator Giuda; Senator Whitely; Senator Rosenwald; Representative Alexander; Representative DiLorenzo; Representative Porter; Representative Willis; Representative Umburger; Representative Wallner; Representative Sweeney; Representative Major; Representative Espitia; Representative Yokela; and Representative Vann. Community Toolbox Bill. Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley has filed a legislative service request 2888 for the 2022 legislative session. The bill includes the policy proposals from the Governor’s housing task force and proposes improvement to the local regulatory process through enabling policies and some requirements regarding improved transparency. RFP for Project Based Vouchers. NH Housing is seeking applications for financing from qualified developers for projects that will provide supportive housing in any area of the state to extremely low-income individuals, with a priority for persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The competitive scores of respondents to this RFP will also be used to award up to 50 Project Based Vouchers (reference 24 CFR Part 983) to projects that receive a Housing Trust Fund loan. PBVs will be awarded through a competitive process based on applications received in each monthly application cycle under the Multi-Family Supportive Housing Program or housing financed with Tax-Exempt Bonds.
Eviction Diversion. The NH Judicial Branch has launched a new eviction diversion program. Funded with ERA funds, the program will provide a mediation resource statewide. To request mediation services (must be requested before a case is filed), call of email the Alternative Dispute Resolution office (603) 271-6418, evictiondiversion@courts.state.nh.us. |