This special edition of Networking with NIFA featured partners from across the state working with new COVID related policies and programs in order to prevent evictions and homelessness.
Denise Packard of UNL Center for Children, Families, and the Law:
Coordinated Entry system in Nebraska – allows persons to receive aid to help prevent the escalation of the housing crisis. The City of Lincoln has established a common fund, along with COVID specific funding and other sources to prevent homelessness. Housing Navigators have been hired to help clients connect to resources and housing. The Coordinated Entry system works along with many partners in Lincoln and with the community action partnerships across the state.
Ryan Baily, Blue Valley Community Action Partnership:
Community Action Partnerships are private non-profit organizations that receive federal state and local funding. Their vision is "Helping People Changing Lives" and all of their programs are built around that statement. They offer assistance for past due rents for persons that have a lease. Persons who live in subsidized or low income housing may only have past due rents paid, not forward, and income guidelines may vary. Blue Valley offers one on one case management to establish a working relationship between tenants and landlords. A rapid rehousing program is also used in cases were a client needs to be connected to basic services, but can sign their own lease. Under the transitional housing program, that lease is signed by Blue Valley. CAP resources are available in every county in Nebraska.
Ashley Larson and Tom Bliss, Southeast Nebraska Economic Development District (SENDD):
SENDD programs help increase affordable housing availability through down payment assistance, purchase rehab resale, owner occupied rehab, and new housing construction. SENDD is working with the other state development districts to implement a Landlord Assistance Program. This would provide landlords with up to $2,500 in rental replacement lost due to COVID, or up to $10,000 for non-cosmetic rehab that would benefit tenants. Landlords must have proof of loss, house tenants up to 100% of area median income, and work with the agencies to ensure proper documentation and completion of improvements. This program and its money is only available through the year end.
Scott Mertz from Legal Aid of Nebraska:
The new CDC Eviction Moratorium order prevents evictions until December 31st due to nonpayment of rent from COVID related wage losses or medical bills. Tenants must sign the declaration form to be eligible for the order, and provide it to their landlord before being evicted. Tenants must also make their best efforts to seek out rental assistance, and rents will still be due in full, plus late fees, at end of year. The declaration form is available on the Legal Aid website at https://www.legalaidofnebraska.org.
Denise Packard of UNL Center for Children, Families, and the Law:
Coordinated Entry system in Nebraska – allows persons to receive aid to help prevent the escalation of the housing crisis. The City of Lincoln has established a common fund, along with COVID specific funding and other sources to prevent homelessness. Housing Navigators have been hired to help clients connect to resources and housing. The Coordinated Entry system works along with many partners in Lincoln and with the community action partnerships across the state.
Ryan Baily, Blue Valley Community Action Partnership:
Community Action Partnerships are private non-profit organizations that receive federal state and local funding. Their vision is "Helping People Changing Lives" and all of their programs are built around that statement. They offer assistance for past due rents for persons that have a lease. Persons who live in subsidized or low income housing may only have past due rents paid, not forward, and income guidelines may vary. Blue Valley offers one on one case management to establish a working relationship between tenants and landlords. A rapid rehousing program is also used in cases were a client needs to be connected to basic services, but can sign their own lease. Under the transitional housing program, that lease is signed by Blue Valley. CAP resources are available in every county in Nebraska.
Ashley Larson and Tom Bliss, Southeast Nebraska Economic Development District (SENDD):
SENDD programs help increase affordable housing availability through down payment assistance, purchase rehab resale, owner occupied rehab, and new housing construction. SENDD is working with the other state development districts to implement a Landlord Assistance Program. This would provide landlords with up to $2,500 in rental replacement lost due to COVID, or up to $10,000 for non-cosmetic rehab that would benefit tenants. Landlords must have proof of loss, house tenants up to 100% of area median income, and work with the agencies to ensure proper documentation and completion of improvements. This program and its money is only available through the year end.
Scott Mertz from Legal Aid of Nebraska:
The new CDC Eviction Moratorium order prevents evictions until December 31st due to nonpayment of rent from COVID related wage losses or medical bills. Tenants must sign the declaration form to be eligible for the order, and provide it to their landlord before being evicted. Tenants must also make their best efforts to seek out rental assistance, and rents will still be due in full, plus late fees, at end of year. The declaration form is available on the Legal Aid website at https://www.legalaidofnebraska.org.
