The National Multifamily Housing Council has announced that it is working with Congress to secure federal support for those who are negatively affected by the coronavirus outbreak, including direct rental payment assistance for American families who suffer a loss of income during the crisis.
Late last week, a group of major multifamily building owners and the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) announced a suspension of evictions for 90 days in response to the pandemic. NMHC is asking that the federal government provide short-term financial assistance to renters facing layoffs or long periods without a paycheck.
“NMHC and our member firms are committed to supporting residents who are impacted by COVID-19 and need assistance with their housing costs,” NMHC said in a release. “Short-term financial assistance would help poor families continue paying rent and buying food until the broader economy stabilizes. It would be more effective than a temporary moratorium on evictions (as some jurisdictions have enacted), since landlords also need money to pay their mortgages, property taxes, and utilities.”
NMHC also is encouraging its members to create open lines of communications with their residents to address financial, health, and other hardships that can make it difficult to cover expenses like housing. It suggests that landlords: work with residents on payment plans and put them in writing, waive late fees and other administrative costs over the next 30-day period, develop a response plan for potential virus exposure and share resources about the virus with residents.
