Emergency Housing Voucher Update

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law, which provides over $1.9 trillion in relief to address the continued impact of the -COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, public health, State and local governments, individuals, and businesses. Section 3202 of the ARP appropriates $5 billion for new incremental EHVs, the renewal of those EHVs, and fees for the cost of administering the EHVs and other eligible expenses defined by notice to prevent, prepare, and respond to coronavirus to facilitate the leasing of the emergency vouchers, such as security deposit assistance and other costs related to retention and support of participating owners. HUD has allocated approximately 70,000 emergency housing vouchers (EHVs) to public housing agencies (PHAs).

For Denver Metro, the following PHAs are receiving EHVs:

· Aurora Housing Authority

· Boulder County Housing Authority

· Boulder Housing Partners

· Colorado Division of Housing

· Foothills Regional Housing (Jefferson County)

· Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver

· Maiker Housing Partners (Adams County)

Eligibility for these EHVs is limited to individuals and families who are

(1) homeless;

(2) at risk of homelessness;

(3) fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking; or

(4) recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability.

After September 30, 2023, a PHA may not reissue any previously leased EHV, regardless of when the assistance for the formerly assisted family ends or ended.

PHAs are required to collaborate with CoCs (MDHI) and referrals must come through coordinated entry (OneHome) (see 1,2,4 above).

MDHI is entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each of the local PHAs. In addition, PHAs may enter an MOU with Victim Services providers or anti-trafficking service providers to receive referrals (see 3 above).

MDHI is working with local PHAs to identify how to implement EHVs to have the greatest impact.

· Transferring households from Rapid Rehousing who have a need for a longer-term voucher and MoveOn from PSH—this also frees up housing resources

· Developing criteria and process for referrals in partnership with service provider partners in order to determine eligibility, prioritization, and the order in which households will be referred to EHVs

Please stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new resource. MDHI’s main point of contact for EHVs is Rebecca Mayer, Rebecca.mayer@mdhi.org.