WCoC Domestic Violence Training by My Sister's Place for Shelter, Outreach and Housing Providers - September 23, 2021
Click on the image below to download a PDF of the event details.
HUD Announcement Regarding Evictions Guidance
HUD SNAPS PROGRAM INFORMATION - September 8, 2021 - In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision that invalidated the CDC’s eviction moratorium, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is using every tool at our disposal to help safeguard the millions of Americans now in danger of losing their homes.
Our programs and resources protect HUD-assisted households from eviction and should be sought out by all Americans who are seeking assistance in avoiding eviction, relocating to new homes in the event an eviction moves forward, and fighting unfair evictions. Through our Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, we are ready to protect people of color, families with children, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, and others who may disproportionately face eviction through discriminatory policies and practices.
HUD also has a responsibility to assist landlords, owners, public housing authorities, and all our stakeholders in weathering this public health crisis.
HUD and our partners are taking a broad range of actions to help prevent evictions. They include:
Fighting unfair evictions – HUD is making over $19 million available to fair housing partners to help them respond to possible fair housing violations, many of which relate to the pandemic and evictions. The funds will enable private fair housing enforcement organizations to respond to fair housing inquiries and complaints, conduct fair housing testing, and implement education and outreach activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will also be used to address fair housing issues affecting individuals and families experiencing housing instability, including those who may face displacement due to discriminatory evictions and foreclosures. HUD is also ramping up funding and education for HUD-approved housing counseling agencies to work with clients to understand their options if they are facing eviction.
Providing legal assistance – HUD is making $20 million available to non-profit or governmental entities to improve the availability of legal assistance at no cost to low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction. These funds will provide services in areas with high rates of evictions or prospective evictions, including rural areas. This grant program plays an integral role in helping individuals and families—including people of color, people with limited English proficiency, and people with disabilities—avoid eviction or minimize the disruption and damage caused by the eviction process.
Keeping people housed – HUD has instituted an eviction moratorium to protect borrowers with HUD-supported or FHA-insured mortgages. This includes people living on Tribal lands with HUD Indian Housing Loans. HUD will also act to require public housing authorities and owners participating in HUD’s project-based rental assistance program to provide tenants facing eviction for non-payment of rent with additional time and other protections to allow them the opportunity to secure emergency rental assistance that may stave off eviction entirely. For the duration of the presidentially-declared national emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic, HUD will extend the time its programmatic regulations require before a tenant must vacate a unit once a notice of eviction for non-payment has been issued from 14 days to 30 days, consistent with CARES Act protections and the protections already in place for FHA-insured Multifamily mortgages where the borrower is under a forbearance agreement. Additionally, in order to initiate eviction, HUD may require additional steps of covered landlords.
Connecting people with rent relief – HUD is working with the Department of Treasury to help Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) grantees connect tenants behind on rent or concerned about paying future rent with financial assistance. Throughout this year, HUD has brought our expertise on housing programs to Treasury, providing advice and assistance on program design and implementation, and engaged HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. As part of a whole-of-government approach, we call on state and local ERAP grantees to lean into the flexibilities provided in this program and get assistance out quickly to those who need it the most.
Providing Tools to Help Public Housing Authorities, HUD-assisted Landlords/Tenants, and People Experiencing Homelessness – HUD program offices have delivered webinars, created documents answering frequently asked questions, granted waivers to ease administrative burdens created by the pandemic, and are distributing relief resources such as Emergency Housing Vouchers and additional assistance to people experiencing homelessness as quickly as possible.
You can find more information https://www.hud.gov/rent_relief
WCoC Bonus Project RFI Conference - Friday, September 3, 2021
2021 RFI Proposers conference will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday September 3rd.
This meeting will discuss all aspects of this RFI, especially considerations for designing projects with partners in order to access the HUD bonus category points. The CoC Bonus is offered by HUD to provide services and permanent housing to homeless households.
The Request For Information (RFI) offered by the Westchester Continuum of Care to solicit proposals from eligible partner agencies requesting to be included as sub-recipient providers in the application to HUD for Continuum of Care Bonus (CoCB) and Domestic Violence Bonus (DVB) projects, which might be awarded through the FY2021 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program competition.
The RFI and the forms required to submit a proposal can be found here: https://www.wcochomeless.org/fy2021-applications
Only Continuums of Care which score high enough will receive CoC Bonus and/or DV Bonus funding.
CoC’s are allowed to submit more than one CoC Bonus and/or DV Bonus application to HUD, so the Westchester CoC may choose one or two CoC Bonus partners and one or more DV Bonus partners to submit an application.
Responses to the CoC Bonus RFI must request either 50% or 100% of the maximum available from HUD
Responses to the DV Bonus RFI can request any amount from $50,000 to $1,271,640
The DV Bonus is offered by HUD to provide services and housing to homeless households fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and/or human trafficking. Individuals and families who have been made homeless or are at eminent risk of homelessness by attempting to flee are eligible for HUD funded housing as stated in the Category 4 Definition of Homelessness in the HEARTH ACT.
The maximum funding request total for applications from Westchester CoC for the CoC Bonus is $1,045,034.
The maximum funding request total for applications from Westchester CoC for the DV Bonus is $1,271,640.
Responses to this CoC Bonus RFI are due September 21 at 1pm.
As noted below, there will be a conference to discuss the RFI this Friday September 3 at 1:30pm.
Join the meeting on WebEx as follows:
Join from the meeting link
https://westchestergov.webex.com/westchestergov/j.php?MTID=ma56279da8f31cc86875a75dbb5d28e31
Join by meeting number
Meeting number (access code): 161 306 9139
Meeting password: RPcRgsYa567
Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)
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Join by phone
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Westchester Seniors Department Issues Multiple Requests for Proposals
(Mt. Vernon, NY) – Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) has issued four (4) requests for proposal (RFPs) from qualified agencies for services that benefit seniors. Funding comes from grants through the federal Older Americans Act as amended, to be funded under the American Rescue Plan Act (SSC6 Services).
The RFPs:
Information Mobility Management (SSC6 Services): This RFP seeks services for persons 60 years or older residing in Westchester County on available transportation services, benefits and entitlements and other areas of concern. This RFP has a due date of Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
Crime Prevention And Safety Program (SSC6 Services): This RFP seeks services for persons 60 years or older residing in Westchester County, consisting of educational presentations on benefits and entitlements for seniors who are victims of crime and strategies to help seniors avoid crime victimization, and other areas of concern. This RFP has a due date of Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
Information & Assistance - Senior Housing (SSC6 Services): This RFP seeks services for persons 60 years or older residing in Westchester County, to provide direct housing counseling, assistance with accessing entitlements for NYS IT-214 and rent exemptions, section 8, weatherization and home improvement deferred loan programs, as well as other related services. This RFP has a due date of Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
Immigration Assistance (SSC6 Services): This RFP seeks services for persons 60 years or older residing in Westchester County, to provide immigration services, benefits and entitlements and other areas of concern and linking such individuals to such appropriate community resources, opportunities and services. This RFP has a due date of Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
Information on this RFP is available at www.westchestergov.com/rfp.
All proposals must be received at:
The Department of Senior Programs and Services
Westchester County Office Building
9 South First Avenue, 10th Floor
Mount Vernon, NY 10550-3414
For information about the Department of Senior Programs and Services, call (914) 813-6300 or visit www.westchestergov.com/seniors.
FY 2021 CoC Program Competition Now Open
On Wednesday, August 18, 2021 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year of 2021 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Competition on Grants.gov as well as the Funding Opportunities page of HUD.gov.
The deadline for the opportunity is November 16, 2021, to meet this final date, all local project applications will be due October 17, 2021.
For details about our local competition including the ranking procedures the Westchester Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness (WCoC) Board of Directors approved in March of 2021 which will be used to select projects for WCoC application, please visit https://www.wcochomeless.org/fy2021-applications or click the black bar at the top of any page.
Wellness Wednesday Event - Lifting Up Westchester - July 21, 2021
Lifting Up Westchester cordially invites you to the kick-off of their new weekly event.
Wellness Wednesday
Grace Church Community Room
33 Church Street White Plain NY 10601
Wednesday July 21, 2021 from 10am - 12pm
Please see the flyer below for more details. Click on the image to download a PDF to distribute.
RFP for Westchester County CoC NY-604 Planning Grant EXPANSION
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL : CoC Planning and Management Expansion FY2020
The County of Westchester, acting by and through its Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), is requesting proposals from qualified vendors to provide planning and management services for the Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness (CoC).
Due Date: Jul 23, 2021 4:00:00 PM
Info session Date: Jul 13, 2021 10:00:00 AM
Clarification Date: Jul 13, 2021 5:00:00 PM
Please go to this link to access the RFP:
https://rfp.westchestergov.com/rfp/rfps
Westchester CoC EHV Designated Partner Agency Opportunity - Response due at 12 PM on Friday, June 25, 2021
The Westchester County Continuum of Care (CoC) Partnership to End Homelessness is soliciting Requests for Information (RFIs) from eligible partner agencies to be designated by the Westchester County CoC as the local agency representative appointed to administer the New York State HCR Emergency Housing Voucher Program (EHV) in Westchester County.
A single agency will be chosen based on their ability to administer the EHV project successfully in partnership with HCR, the Westchester County CoC & its member agencies, and Westchester County EHV Steering Committee under the guidelines and requirements set by HUD and HCR.
Applicants should have experience engaging the target population described in this application and successfully & rapidly moving households from temporary housing into permanent housing.
Background:
• The American Rescue Plan included $5 Billion for 70,000 time-limited Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV’s) which expire 09/30/2030. Vouchers may not be assigned/reassigned after 09/30/2023.
• EHVs must be administered by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in partnership with their local CoCs
• Westchester’s only access to EHVs is through NYS Homes & Community Renewal (HCR)
• HCR has potentially allocated 482 units to Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties
• No county is assured of receiving any specific number; EHVs will be distributed to the four counties on a first come, first served basis.
• HCR has not finalized all aspects of the program but is considering including incentives to landlords and participants including rent above FMR; landlord signing bonus; funding for repairs, security deposits, and rent guarantees; and tenant stipends.
The local CoC will administer the program with a Designated Partner Agency that will confidentially forward referrals made by Westchester CoC Coordinated Entry to HCR or their designated Special Purpose Local Administrator and then work to rapidly transition potentially 100 households or more from their current temporary housing to permanent housing units subsidized with the EHV.
CVR NY Westchester Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List Opening
CVR NEW YORK WESTCHESTER COUNTY HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER WAITING LIST OPENING FOR LIMITED TIME STARING MONDAY, JULY 12, 2021 AT 9:00 A.M. ENDING FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 AT 4:00 P.M.
Apply 24 hours a day online from any mobile device or computer with Internet access at:
applicantportal.cvrnewyork.com
You must have an active email address to apply.
For assistance during the wait list opening period call 914-256-8877 or email nyinquiries@cvrnewyork.com between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily
Applications must be submitted online through the Applicant Portal. Applications will not be available or accepted at CVR NY’s office, nor will CVR NY provide computers, internet access, or in-person assistance at its office for the submission of applications.
CVR New York encourages anyone to apply. Applicants who are selected will be placed on a waiting list and screened for eligibility as vouchers become available. For eligibility information, please go to applicantportal.cvrnewyork.com. CVR New York will select 5,000 applicants for the Westchester County HCV Waiting List through a randomized computer lottery process. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please email nyinquiries@cvrnewyork.com or call 914256-8877 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily during the wait list opening period for assistance.
City of Mount Vernon Seeks Public Comment on 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK
2021-2022 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
The City of Mount Vernon, NY invites residents, public agencies, and other stakeholders to provide input on Mount Vernon’s housing and community development needs.
For FY2021, the City is receiving the following allocations:
Community Development Block Grant
$1,703,058.00
HOME Investment Partnerships Grant
$ 511,949.00
Emergency Solutions Grants
$ 145,722.00
Total 2020 Entitlement Funding:
$2,360,729.00
The City of Mount Vernon will hold a thirty (30) day public comment period open to all residents, especially low-and moderate-income residents on the 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan. The public comment period will begin on Friday, June 11, 2021 and end on Monday, July 12, 2021.
The City invites citizens, public agencies and other interested parties to attend and provide public comments at the virtual public hearings being held on the following dates:
Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 5:30pm
RSVP here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJckfu6qrTstHdKvJLlgG89UP_BHDiQnAQ5I
Friday, June 25, 2021 at 10:00am
RSVP here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMpcemurzgpGdRQ8Z6brkoz6-j4HYg8lP8W
The 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan is available on the City’s website at:
https://cmvny.com/2021/06/10/public-notice-2021-2022-annual-action-plan-notice-of-public-comment-period/
or at the following locations:
City Clerk’s Office, City Hall, First Floor, 1 Roosevelt Square, Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Department of Planning and Community Development, Second Floor, 1 Roosevelt Square, Mount Vernon, NY 10550
The City Council of the City of Mount Vernon is expected to take action on the Annual Action Plan for FY 2021 in July 2020. In addition, the City anticipates submitting the approved Annual Action Plan to HUD in July 2021.
Written comments on the Plan are encouraged and may be submitted via email until July 12, 2021 to: Sbolivar@ch.ci.mount-vernon.ny.us.
Or mailed to:
Department of Planning and Community Development
1 Roosevelt Square
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Please voice your opinion on housing and community development needs by attending the June 16 or June 25th virtual public hearing.
NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program for Westchester County Residents
Beginning, June 1, 2021, Westchester County residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 are eligible to apply for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program!
Read more at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/Emergency-Rental-Assistance/
ARE YOU BEHIND ON YOUR RENT?
HELP IS AVAILABLE
Beginning today, June 1, 2021, Westchester County residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 are eligible to apply for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The Program, which is being operated by New York State OTDA, offers rental and utility assistance to eligible households which are behind on their rent, have experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic, are at risk of homelessness or housing instability, and earn at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Residents of the city of Yonkers should contact https://www.yonkersny.gov/
CALL 2-1-1 TODAY FOR HELP
YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE
If approved, you will receive up to 12 months of past due rent. You could also receive up to three months of additional rental assistance, if your household spends 30 percent or more of your gross monthly income on rent. The program could also provide up to 12 months of past utility expenses.
TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ERAP,
VISIT THE NEW YORK STATE WEBSITE.
FOR HELP APPLYING, CONTACT THE FOLLOWING NON-PROFITS:
Catholic Charities
Community Housing Innovations
Community Resource Center
El Centro Hispano
Human Development Services of Westchester
Hudson Valley Justice Center
Keeping Communities Safe
Mount Vernon United Tenants
Neighbors Link
Salvation Army
Westchester Residential Opportunities
Source: Westchester County Youth Bureau June 2, 2021 email blast
Provision of Educational Services for Recently Arrived Unaccompanied Children and Youth
Please see the attached memorandum for important information and resources for local educational agencies regarding the rights of and services available to unaccompanied youth.
New Opportunity Being Offered by MHA of Westchester for Providers of Service
Please see the flier below regarding a new opportunity being offered by MHA of Westchester for PROVIDERS of service. This is a service for any professional (care managers, caseworkers, care coordinators, clinicians, etc.) to obtain guidance and advice from an MHA staff person with experience and knowledge on all things related to benefits and entitlements. Feel free to share with your provider networks.
Westchester CoC Homeless Resources Cards Available Upon Request
Image: Cover of the 2021 Edition of the Homeless Resource Card
Homeless Resource Wallet Cards available to distribute. These are the 2021 fold-out informational wallet cards distributed during the PIT Count.
If you would like cards, please use this form to request them: https://forms.gle/u31LvsyocQAXbyFi9
Requests will be fulfilled on a first come, first serve basis. There is a 10 card minimum per request. Requests are capped at 100 cards per organization until all interested organizations have been served.
We do another printing at the end of each year to update the information, so if more requests are received than can be fulfilled with available inventory, we will increase the number of cards printed for 2022.
Affordable Housing Opportunity - 14 LeCount Place, New Rochelle
We recently received a brochure regarding Affordable Housing at the newly constructed building located at 14 LeCount Place (across from New Roc). Please click here to download & distribute the brochure as you see fit. Any questions regarding Affordable Housing in New Rochelle should be directed to the Housing Action Council (HAC) at the phone number or email address below.
Annual CDBG Information Session - New Rochelle - June 9, 2021
City of New Rochelle-Department of Development
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)
Annual CDBG Information Session
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Meeting Room: TBD
City Hall is now Open to the Public. This meeting will be In-Person.
Social distancing and masks are still required.
Meeting Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions
• Public Facility and Improvement Projects Overview
• 2021 CDBG Budget and Subrecipient Agreements
• 2022 Funding and Application Process Q&A
Please click here to RSVP by 5/28/21
If you have any questions, need special accommodations or any other information, please include them in your RSVP message.
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – WC DCMH FOR COC PLANNING GRANT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL :
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE PARTNERSHIP TO END HOMELESSNESS
The County of Westchester acting by and through its Department of Community Mental Health, is requesting proposals from qualified vendors to provide planning and management services for the Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness.
Due Date:
May 24, 2021 4:00:00 PM
Infosession Date:
May 17, 2021 1:30:00 PM
Clarification Date:
May 19, 2021 4:00:00 PM
To view the RFP, please go to:
Emergency Broadband Benefit - Subsidy Program to Help Pay for Internet Service
Dear Providers,
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.
Until the end of the pandemic the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will provide eligible low-income households with:
$50 per month credit on internet bills through their provider.
In tribal areas, eligible households may receive up to $75 per month.
$100 to purchase a laptop, desktop, or tablet.
Who is eligible?
Households who qualified for Lifeline program, are on Medicaid, or who have received a Pell grant or had a total income in 2020 below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers. Also eligible are those who have lost employment during the pandemic.
Where can I sign up?
As of May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.
Check out the FAQ and more information here or link below.
https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
Thank you,
Communications Department
NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
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"Calling the Shots" Information Session about Covid-19 Vaccination with Rev. Trollinger
The Westchester CoC Anti Racism Evaluation & Advocacy Committee opened their meeting to Reverend Erwin Trollinger of Calvary Baptist Church to speak about the Covid-19 vaccine and address reservations our community members are feeling around it. Click below to view.