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Emergency Broadband Benefit News Release

Partner Contact Information

Mid Columbia Housing Authority

541-296-5462

Info@mid-columbiahousingauthority.org

 

Today, MCHA announced it is working to help build consumer awareness about the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program.  The temporary benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

The $3.2B Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a discount of up to a $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on qualifying Tribal lands.  The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.

A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

  • Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
  • Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

Emergency Broadband Benefit enrollment will begin (opened) on May 12, 2021. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application.  Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at  www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week

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FREE FINANCIAL EDUCATION

JOIN US IN A SERIES OF FREE FINANCIAL EDUCATION!

Upcoming Dates:

March 3 at 1PM-Taxes and Ways To Use Your Return

March 10 at 10AM-Budgeting & Savings
March 17 at 1PM-Building, Repairing, and Protecting Credit
March 31 at 1PM-Banking Basics
April 7 at 1PM -Dealing With Debt & Predatory Lending

CLASSES WILL BE PROVIDED AT
THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME VIA ZOOM.

Contact Sonia Chavez to
register at (541)-370-2291 or
soniac@mid-columbiahousingauthority.org

UNETE A NOSOTROS EN UNA SERIE DE EDUCACION FINANCIERA COMPLETAMENTE GRATITUA!

Fechas Siguientes:

Marzo 2 a las 5:30PM-Impuestos y Formas de Utilizar Su Declaración Marzo 9 a las 5:30PM-Presupuesto y Ahorro
Marzo 16 a las 5:30PM-Construcción y Reparación de Crédito
Marzo 30 a las 5:30PM-Fundamentos bancarios
Abril 6 a las 5:30PM -Enfrentando La Deuda y Los Prestamos Depredadores
LAS CLASES SE IMPARTIRAN EN LA
COMODIDAD DE SU HOGAR A TRAVES DE ZOOM.

Contacte a Sonia Chavez para registrarse al (541)-370-2291 o soniac@mid-columbiahousingauthority.org

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HUD Waiver Extension

To: MCHA and CGHA Board of Directors

From: Joel Madsen, Executive Director

Subject: HUD Waiver Extensions – PIH Notice 2020-33

Date: December 14th, 2020

 

 

The chart to follow summarizes the waivers authorized under PIH Notice 2020-33 and the availability period for each. Staff recommends the Board authorize use of the waivers as presented below.

 

Item Statutory and regulatory waivers Summary of alternative requirements Availability Period Ends Did the PHA implement the waiver or alternative requirement? Date of PHA

adoption.
PH and HCV-1 PHA 5-Year and Annual Plan Submission Dates: Significant Amendment Requirements Statutory Authority Section 5A(a)(1), Section 5A(b)(1), Section 5A(g), Section 5A(h)(2)

 

Regulatory Authority

§§ 903.5(a)(3), 903.5(b)(3), 903.13(c), 903.21, 903.23

 ·         Alternative dates for submission

·         Changes to significant amendment process

 ·         Varies based on FYE

·         12/31/20

 Yes 04/14/2020
PH and HCV-4 Family Income and Composition: Interim Examinations Statutory Authority Section 3(a)(1)

 

Regulatory Authority

§§ 5.233(a)(2), 982.516(c)(2), 960.257(a),

(b) and (d), 960.259(c)

 

Sub-regulatory Guidance

 ·         Waives the requirement to use the income verification requirements, including the use of EIV, for interim reexaminations ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020

 

 

Item Statutory and regulatory waivers Summary of alternative requirements Availability Period Ends Did the PHA implement the waiver or alternative requirement? Date of PHA

adoption.
  Notice PIH 2018-18        
PH and HCV-5 Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) Monitoring Regulatory Authority

§ 5.233

 

Sub-regulatory Guidance Notice PIH 2018-18

 ·         Waives the mandatory EIV monitoring requirements ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
PH and HCV-6 Family Self- Regulatory Authority

§ 984.303(d)

 ·         Provides for extensions to FSS contract of participation ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
Sufficiency (FSS)
Contract of
Participation: Contract
Extension
HQS-1

Initial Inspection Requirements

 Statutory Authority Section 8(o)(8)(A)(i), Section 8(o)(8)(C) ·         Changes initial inspection requirements, allowing for owner certification that there are no life-threatening deficiencies

·         Where self-certification was used, PHA must inspect the unit no later than 1-year anniversary of date of owner’s certification

·         Will include reminder that HQS waiver does not include a waiver of

 ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
 

Regulatory Authority

§§ 982.305(a), 982.305(b), 982.405

  

·         1-year anniversary of date of owner’s certification

 

 

Item Statutory and regulatory waivers Summary of alternative requirements Availability Period Ends Did the PHA implement the waiver or alternative requirement? Date of PHA

adoption.
    24 CFR 35.15, visual assessment for deteriorated paint      
HQS-2: Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Pre- HAP Contract Inspections: PHA Acceptance of Completed Units Statutory Authority: Section 8(o)(8)(A)

 

Regulatory Authority:

§§ 983.103(b),

983.156(a)(1)

 ·         Changes inspection requirements, allowing for owner certification that there are no life- threatening deficiencies

·         Where self-certification was used, PHA must inspect the unit no later than 1-year anniversary of date of owner’s certification

 ·         6/30/21

 

 

 

·         1-year anniversary of date of owner’s certification

 Yes 04/14/2020
HQS-3

Initial Inspection: Non-Life-Threatening Deficiencies (NLT) Option

 Statutory Authority Section 8(o)(8)(A)(ii)

 

Sub-regulatory Guidance HOTMA HCV Federal Register Notice January 18, 2017

 ·         Allows for extension of up to 30 days for owner repairs of non-life threatening conditions ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
HQS-4

HQS Initial Inspection Requirement: Alternative Inspection Option

 Statutory Authority Section 8(o)(8)(A)(iii)

 

Sub-regulatory Guidance HOTMA HCV Federal

 ·         Under Initial HQS Alternative Inspection Option – allows for commencement of assistance payments ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020

 

 

Item Statutory and regulatory waivers Summary of alternative requirements Availability Period Ends Did the PHA implement the waiver or alternative requirement? Date of PHA

adoption.
  Register Notice January 18, 2017 based on owner certification there are no life-threatening deficiencies

·         Where self-certification was used, PHA must inspect the unit no later than 1-year anniversary of date of owner’s certification

  

 

 

·         1-year anniversary of date of owner’s certification

    
HQS-5

HQS Inspection Requirement: Biennial Inspections

 Statutory Authority Section 8(o)(D)

 

Regulatory Authority

§§ 982.405(a), 983.103(d)

 ·         Allows for delay in biennial inspections

·         PHAs must require owner certification there are no life-threatening deficiencies

·         All delayed biennial inspections must resume by 6/30/21 and be completed by 12/31/21

 ·         6/30/21

 

 

·         12/31/21

 Yes 04/14/2020
HQS-6

HQS Interim Inspections

 Statutory Authority Section 8(o)(8)(F)

 

Regulatory Authority

§§ 982.405(g), 983.103(e)

 ·         Waives the requirement for the PHA to conduct interim inspection and requires alternative method ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020

 

 

Item Statutory and regulatory waivers Summary of alternative requirements Availability Period Ends Did the PHA implement the waiver or alternative requirement? Date of PHA

adoption.
    ·         Allows for repairs to be verified by alternative methods      
HQS-7

PBV Turnover Unit Inspections

 Regulatory Authority

§ 983.103(c)

 ·         Allows PBV turnover units to be filled based on owner certification there are no life- threatening deficiencies

·         Allows for delayed full HQS inspection NLT than 1-year anniversary of date of owner’s certification

 ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
 

 

·         1-year anniversary of date of owner’s certification
HQS-8: PBV HAP

Contract: HQS Inspections to Add or Substitute Units

 Statutory Authority Section 8(o)(8)(A) ·         Allows for PBV units to be added or substituted in the HAP contract based on owner certification there are no life-threatening deficiencies

·         Allows for delayed full HQS inspection NLT 1- year anniversary of date of owner’s certification

 ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
 

Regulatory Authority

§§ 983.207(a), 983.207(b)

  
Sub-regulatory Guidance HOTMA HCV Federal Register Notice January 18, 2017 ·         1-year anniversary of date of owner’s certification
HQS-9

HQS Quality Control

 Regulatory Authority

§§ 982.405(b),

 ·         Provides for a suspension of the ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
Inspections 983.103(e)(3)

 

 

Item Statutory and regulatory waivers Summary of alternative requirements Availability Period Ends Did the PHA implement the waiver or alternative requirement? Date of PHA

adoption.
    requirement for QC sampling inspections      
HQS-10

Housing Quality Standards: Space and Security

 Regulatory Authority

§ 982.401(d)

 ·         Waives the requirement that each dwelling unit have at least 1 bedroom or living/sleeping room for each 2 persons. Remains in effect one year from lease term or date of this Notice, whichever is longer Yes 04/14/2020
HQS-11

Homeownership Option: Initial HQS Inspection

 Statutory Authority Section 8(o)(8)(A)(i), Section 8(y)(3)(B) Regulatory Authority

§ 982.631(a)

 ·         Waives the requirement to perform an initial HQS inspection in order to begin making homeownership assistance payments

·         Requires family to obtain independent professional inspection

 ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
HCV-1

Administrative Plan

 Regulatory Authority

§ 982.54(a)

 ·         Establishes an alternative requirement that policies may be adopted without board approval until 3/31/21

·         Any provisions adopted informally must be adopted formally by 6/30/21

 ·         3/31/21

 

 

 

·         6/30/21

 Yes 04/14/2020
HCV-2 Regulatory Authority ·         Waives the requirement ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020

 

 

Item Statutory and regulatory waivers Summary of alternative requirements Availability Period Ends Did the PHA implement the waiver or alternative requirement? Date of PHA

adoption.
Information When Family is Selected: PHA Oral Briefing §§ 982.301(a)(1), 983.252(a) for an oral briefing

·         Provides for alternative methods to conduct required voucher briefing

      
HCV-3

Term of Voucher: Extensions of Term

 Regulatory Authority

§ 982.303(b)(1)

 ·         Allows PHAs to provide voucher extensions regardless of current PHA policy ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
HCV-5

Absence from Unit

 Regulatory Authority

§ 982.312

 ·         Allows for PHA discretion on absences from units longer than 180 days

·         PHAs must not make HAP payments beyond 12/31/20 for units vacant more than 180 consecutive days

 ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
HCV-6

Automatic Termination of HAP Contract

 Regulatory Authority

§ 982.455

 ·         Allows PHA to extend the period of time after the last HAP payment is made before the HAP contract terminates automatically. ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020

 

 

Item Statutory and regulatory waivers Summary of alternative requirements Availability Period Ends Did the PHA implement the waiver or alternative requirement? Date of PHA

adoption.
HCV-8

Utility Allowance Schedule: Required Review and Revision

 Regulatory Authority

§ 982.517

 ·         Provides for delay in updating utility allowance schedule ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
HCV-9

Homeownership Option: Homeownership Counseling

 Statutory Authority Section 8(y)(1)(D)

 

Regulatory Authority

§§ 982.630, 982.636(d)

 ·         Waives the requirement for the family to obtain pre-assistance counseling ·         6/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
11b SEMAP Regulatory Authority 24 CFR Part 985 ·         PHA to retain prior year SEMAP score unless requests otherwise HUD will resume issuing new SEMAP scores starting with PHAs with FYE dates of 06/30/21 Yes 04/14/2020
11b-2 SEMAP Regulatory Authority

§ 985.101(a)

 ·         Waives the requirement for PHAs to submit an annual SEMAP certification in PIC within 60 days of FYE during the period of time that HUD will roll forward prior year SEMAP scores ·         6/30/21    

 

 

Item Statutory and regulatory waivers Summary of alternative requirements Availability Period Ends Did the PHA implement the waiver or alternative requirement? Date of PHA

adoption.
MS-1

Mainstream Initial Lease Term

 Statutory Authority Section 8(o)(7)(A)

 

Regulatory Authority

§ 982.309(a)(2)(ii)

 ·         PHA may enter initial lease terms of less than one year regardless of whether the shorter lease term is a prevailing market practice ·         6/30/21    
MS-2

Mainstream Criminal Background Screening

 Statutory Authority

42 U.S.C. 13663(a), 42

U.S.C. 13661

 

Regulatory Authority

§§ CFR 5.856, 982.553(a)

 ·         PHAs may establish, as an alternative requirement, screening requirements for applicants for Mainstream vouchers which are distinct from those in place for its HCV program in general ·         6/30/21    
MS-3

Mainstream Age Eligibility to Enter HAP Contract Statutory Authority

 Statutory Authority 42 U.S.C. 8013(k)(2) ·         As an alternative requirement, the PHA may choose to expand the definition of an eligible non-elderly family member to include those who were issued a voucher prior to turning 62 and were not yet 63 on the ·         6/30/21    

 

 

Item Statutory and regulatory waivers Summary of alternative requirements Availability Period Ends Did the PHA implement the waiver or alternative requirement? Date of PHA

adoption.
    effective date of the HAP Contract      
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White Salmon Assisted Living Facility

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.mid-columbiahousingauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WS-Alf-press-12.23.2020.pdf” title=”WS Alf press 12.23.2020″]Greetings,

Please see attached regarding CCHC’s recent funding commitment from WA Department of Commerce Housing Trust Fund division for our White Salmon Assisted Living Facility.

My best,
Joel

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Admin Plan

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.mid-columbiahousingauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/MCHA-CGHA-HCV-ADMIN-PLAN-2014-Rev4-14.pdf” title=”MCHA-CGHA HCV ADMIN PLAN 2014 (Rev4-14)”]

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Press Release- Mainstream Vouchers 2020

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.mid-columbiahousingauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Spanish-Press-Release-Mainstream-Vouchers-2020.pdf” title=”Spanish-Press Release Mainstream Vouchers 2020″]Greetings,

We are pleased to share that our recent investment proposal to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development has been approved which will bring additional Mainstream vouchers to our region. Please see attached for more information.

My best,
Joel

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.mid-columbiahousingauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Press-Release-Mainstream-Vouchers-2020.pdf” title=”Press Release Mainstream Vouchers 2020″]

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Warming Shelter hours and location

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.mid-columbiahousingauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Warming-Shelter-hours-and-location-2020-2021.pdf” title=”Warming Shelter hours and location 2020-2021″]

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.mid-columbiahousingauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Warming-Shelter-horas-y-ubicacion-SPANISH-2020-2021.pdf” title=”Warming Shelter horas y ubicación SPANISH 2020-2021″]