HUD Urges Local Governments to Distribute Housing Aid Funds

Gov. DeSantis authorized $120M of Florida’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to help Floridians hurt by the pandemic and struggling to pay expenses such as rent, mortgage payments and emergency repairs. The Florida Housing Corp. will distribute the money.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reiterated a commitment to “minimize displacement and evictions resulting from the COVID-19 global pandemic national emergency.” It’s pushing grantees – states, cities, communities and nonprofits – to spend the money, which can be used for expenses, such as rent, mortgage payments and emergency repairs.

In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis authorized $120 million out of the State of Florida’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for allocation. Local governments will distribute the funds to needy homeowners and renters. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) will oversee distribution to local leaders.

It’s unclear how soon money will make it into the hands of homeowners and renters, however. The Florida Housing website says, “It is important to note that at this time your local government and SHIP office, who will be administering this program, are working on implementing the application requirements, process and system and may not be ready to accept applications.”

The Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) is part of the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) signed into law in March. Florida Housing’s CRF Fund for Impacted Homeowners and Renters will be administered by the local State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) housing office in local communities.

“From day one of this pandemic, the administration has done everything in our power to ensure that the American people have a roof over their heads during these trying times,” says HUD Secretary Ben Carson.

© 2020 Florida Realtors®

Information provided by Florida Realtors.  Click here to see the original article.

Reprinted with permission Florida Realtors. All rights reserved.