Dear John,

As we look to the federal government for the critical assistance needed in this time of the coronavirus pandemic, we're grateful for our national partners who can provide timely analysis of the emergency response legislation coming from Washington. This analysis is from Marion Mollegen McFadden at Enterprise Community Partners.

The Senate has passed the 3rd stimulus package – the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act which will provide close to $2 trillion of relief for the millions of Americans and businesses impacted by the recent economic slowdown. Included in the legislation is $340 billion of emergency appropriations, with topline highlights including:

  • $117 billion for Hospitals and Veterans Healthcare
  • $45 billion for FEMA Disaster Relief Fund
  • $25 billion for Transit System
  • $16 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile
  • $15 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • $11 Billion for Vaccines, Therapeutics, Diagnostics, & other Medical Needs
  • $4.3 billion for the Centers for Disease Control
  • $1.5 billion for the Economic Development Administration (EDA)
  • $900 million for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Congress also included funding to assist the 11 million low-income Americans in this country living pay check to pay check, unsure of whether they will be able to afford their next rent or mortgage payment, as well as funding to provide shelter and temporary housing for the 550,000 people who experience homelessness on any given night. The deal includes the following affordable housing provisions:

  • $5 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
  • $4 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants
  • $1.25 billion for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
  • $1 billion for Project-Based Rental Assistance
  • $685 million for the Public Housing Operating Fund
  • $300 million for Native American Programs
  • $65 million for Housing Opportunities for Person with Aids (HOPWA)
  • $50 million for Section 202 Housing for the Elderly
  • $15 million for Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities
  • $2.5 million for additional fair housing enforcement

While CDBG did not receive the $10 billion amount initially indicated by the Senate’s draft proposal, there are two separate funds that states and localities will be able to draw on to address similar needs. A $150 billion relief fund that will be made available to States, Tribal governments, and local governments as well as the previously mentioned $45 billion Disaster Relief Fund.

The House will consider the package today and is expected to vote on it Friday, and the President is expected to support the legislation.

Notably missing from legislation is funding for the HOME Program and Section 4 Capacity Building Program, both of which are proven conduits of assistance to housing and community development entities. Equally concerning is the lack of funding for Rural Housing Service (RHS) programs, even while Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies received large allocations. RHS programs help to ensure housing stability for the hundreds of thousands of vulnerable residents who live in their subsidized housing. It is essential that Congress take these programs into account as community members incomes are reduced or eliminated because of the anticipated loss of employment and lack of enough paid leave.

Also not included were asks related to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit) program. Enterprise will continue to advocate for the inclusion of these additional programs when Congress begins to turn their attention towards phase four of the recovery.

The amount of funding that makes its way to the Commonwealth and NoVA localities will be important to see as local budgets are reformulated to respond to the economic slowdown and expanding safety support needs. We don't yet know what the repercussions are for affordable housing and local housing trust funds.

As indicated, more federal assistance legislation is expected. However now the industry will pivot to getting these resources into communities in a timely fashion.

Michelle Krocker
Executive Director


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