CARES act Rental Assistance

[Michelle Fenn]

I have now processed 3 Cares rental assistance claims for unpaid rent.  The first claim reimbursed the landlord for 3 months of back rent and late fees.    This week I have received the paperwork for the second round of rental assistance funding.  The rules have again changed.    In Cleveland area the fund are distributed by CHN   Cleveland Housing Network.   I have searched the internet for landlord program description and guidelines without success.   I assumed that the program guidelines would be documented on the "landlord forms".   The first round of funds paid unpaid rent and late fees.   The second round of funds guidelines have changed.

They now request information on unpaid rent, fees and other, at the bottom of the form they provide a maximum payment allowed number the amount on my form was $7,128. I then received an email acknowledging that the form was received, but the maximum allowed "Fair Market Rent" would be not the $1,400 rent but $1,183. I have no idea where this number comes from, it is substantially less than published HUD Fair Market Rents or CMHA rents for the Cleveland OH region. The email informed me that I must accept the reduced rent amount or return a signed tenant repayment plan by the next day. I was also required to sign that I would not evict for a stated period of time. It is almost as the government is forcing rent control through this program. I am waiting for the third email that informs me that by accepting a reduced rent payment for 3-4 months that I have accepted changes to the terms of my written lease.

[Michelle Fenn]

Jim Wise is totally correct about CMHA. They publish fair market rents on an annual basis on their website, overstate voucher values and then make up rent offers as they go. Only after making the housing provider wait 2-3 months for an inspection. This must be part of the process, lure them in with an overstated public fair market rent, make them wait extended periods of time for an inspection and offer and then low ball the offer in hopes they will accept it, because they can no longer wait to fill a vacancy. And housing advocates wonder why, landlords do not want to accept vouchers. Creating legislation that makes section 8 voucher holders a protected class and requiring landlord to not discriminate due to type of payment, already been legislated in NE Ohio, is not the answer. Tweek the process. Inspect the property while the housing provider is making the unit ready to re-rent, once the inspection passes provide and offer and then allow the housing provider to accept any applicant with a voucher for that much of more and finish the paperwork within 30 days. If HUD could do that, they would be amazed on how much more affordable housing would be available. Care rent assistance is like some many other government social policies, not a bad idea, followed up by bad execution. The liberal social worker of my youth is now a small government advocating grandmother.