This page contains COVID-19 guidance and resources for the HOME Program.
On April 10, 2020, CPD issued two memoranda containing statutory suspensions and regulatory waivers for the HOME Program to provide flexibility for jurisdictions to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Several of the suspensions/waivers require the Office of Affordable Housing Programs (OAHP) to make Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS) changes for PJs before they can be employed. These include:
On December 4, 2020, HUD issued revisions and updates to these two memoranda.
On September 27, 2021, HUD issued additional revisions and updates to the CPD Memo: Availability of Waivers and Suspensions of the HOME Program Requirements in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic.
The memoranda are posted at the links below.
HOME PJs that wish to implement one or more statutory suspensions and/or regulatory waivers must send the request by email to their CPD Field Office and also to OAHP at HOMECOVID19@hud.gov.
The April 2020 Memo announced the availability of certain statutory suspensions and regulatory waivers to enable HOME PJs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to use HOME funds to address immediate housing needs and to help prevent spread of the virus.
The December 2020 Memo revised and extended certain statutory suspensions and regulatory waivers outlined in the April 2020 Memo through September 30, 2021 (the “extended waiver period”) and added a new statutory suspension and new regulatory waivers.
This memorandum, effective as of September 30, 2021, amends the December 2020 Memo to further revise or extend certain statutory suspensions and regulatory waivers.
Date Published: September 2021
The April 2020 TBRA Memo announced the availability of certain statutory suspensions and regulatory waivers to enable HOME PJs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to use HOME TBRA to facilitate urgent housing assistance to communities and families experiencing financial hardship.
This memorandum extends all statutory suspensions and regulatory waivers outlined in the April 2020 TBRA Memo through September 30, 2021 (the “extended waiver period”), and revises or clarifies several waivers.
Note: The HOME COVID-19 suspensions and waivers issued to facilitate the use of HOME-assisted TBRA for emergency and short-term assistance expires on September 30, 2021. All resources developed under the Emergency HOME TBRA Toolkit (sample templates and forms) are obsolete after September 30, 2021.
Date Published: December 2020
This memorandum suspends the HOME Program’s statutory deadline and waives the HOME regulatory deadline for qualification or requalification of urban counties and consortia to provide HOME PJs additional time to complete these processes due to the unanticipated circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date Published: September 2020
Flexibilities and Waivers Granted by the CARES Act and Mega Waiver and Guidance
This document summarizes the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act flexibilities and waivers.
Date Published: June 2020
This memorandum authorizes and explains a waiver of the regulatory requirement at 24 CFR 91.520(a), that within 90-days of the end of a jurisdiction's program year a grantee shall submit to HUD a performance report known as the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).
Date Published: May 2020
HOME Program COVID-19 and CARES Act FAQs
These frequently asked questions (FAQs) provide guidance on Section 4024 of the CARES Act which imposes a temporary moratorium on evictions.
Date Published: May 2020
On April 10, 2020 HUD issued CPD Memo: Suspensions and Waivers to Facilitate Use of HOME-Assisted TBRA for Emergency and Short-term Assistance in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic. The April 2020 TBRA Memo was revised on December 4, 2020, when HUD published CPD Memo: Revision and Extension of April 2020 TBRA Memo - Suspensions and Waivers to Facilitate Use of HOME-Assisted TBRA for Emergency and Short-term Assistance in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic which extends all statutory suspensions and regulatory waivers and revises or clarifies certain waivers. View the CPD Memos.
To facilitate implementation of emergency TBRA programs, HUD has published the Emergency HOME TBRA Toolkit which collects and organizes all guidance and training resources developed for PJs, covering the following topics:
Note: The HOME COVID-19 suspensions and waivers issued to facilitate the use of HOME-assisted TBRA for emergency and short-term assistance expires on September 30, 2021. All resources developed under the Emergency HOME TBRA Toolkit (sample templates and forms) are obsolete after September 30, 2021.
Access the Emergency HOME TBRA ToolkitUpdated HOME Sample Self-Certification of Annual Income Form
This sample self-certification of income form issued by HUD’s Office of Affordable Housing Programs (OAHP) can be used by PJs to document annual income of individuals and families that have lost employment or income either permanently or temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Note: The HOME COVID-19 waiver which permits PJs to use self-certification of income, in lieu of source documentation to determine eligibility for HOME assistance, expires on September 30, 2021. As of October 1, 2021, PJs must resume conducting income determinations in accordance with 24 CFR 92.203(a)(1) and (2) and document their project files accordingly.
Date Published: February 2021
Tools for Landlords with Tenants Impacted by COVID-19
This document helps landlords to engage with at-risk tenants while remaining in compliance with fair housing laws and understand the key elements of a repayment plan. The document provides links to sample rent repayment agreements.
Date Published: August 2020
Tenant Guidance: Rent Repayment Plans
This document assists at-risk tenants in understanding and pursuing rent repayment agreements with their landlords. The document includes links to helpful resources and a sample script for requesting a repayment agreement from a landlord. Use of this guidance is optional and grantees and tenants are strongly cautioned to review their state and local laws as under some laws, a tenant notifying an owner of the inability to pay rent is sufficient for the owner to initiate eviction proceedings.
Date Published: August 2020
HOME CARES Act Eviction Moratorium – Sample Letter to Owners and Sample Tenant Flyer
This sample letter to owners and sample tenant flyer issued by OAHP can be used by PJs to notify property owners and tenants about the temporary eviction moratorium established by Section 4024 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The temporary eviction moratorium applies to covered dwelling units assisted by the HOME Program.
Date Published: June 2020
HOME COVID-19 Operating Deficit Reserve Workout Project File Checklist
This project file checklist can be used by HOME PJs for records management within their local programs in response to the pandemic when funding an operating deficit reserve with HOME funds under the authority granted in the April 10, 2020 CPD Memo: Availability of Waivers and Suspensions of the HOME Program Requirements in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic, as amended in a subsequent CPD Memo issued on December 4, 2020.
Date Published: July 2021
HOME COVID-19 Operating Deficit Reserve Workout Tool
This excel spreadsheet tool can be used by HOME PJs to document their calculations supporting the initial funding of an operating deficit reserve to support HOME-assisted rental projects using waiver authority provided in the April 10, 2020 CPD Memo: Availability of Waivers and Suspensions of the HOME Program Requirements in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic, as amended in a subsequent CPD Memo issued on December 4, 2020.
Date Published: July 2021
HOME COVID-19 Operating Deficit Reserve Workout Tool Tutorial
This video tutorial demonstrates how to use the HOME COVID-19 Operating Deficit Reserve Workout Tool when funding an operating deficit reserve with HOME funds under waivers issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date Published: July 2021