HOUSING PROVIDER RENTAL ASSISTANCE

Small landlords have been devastated by the COVID 19 pandemic. Small housing providers are experiencing record delinquencies and vacancy rates. While many resources have been dedicated to help tenants and business owners, little has been done to assist small housing providers.

The Federal COVID relief bill provides for 25 billion in rental assistance to be distributed among the states. The District will soon announce the expansion of the Housing Stabilization Grant Programs that were launched in December.  These programs will allow housing providers to directly apply for and receive COVID rental assistance. Housing providers are very strongly encouraged to begin to prepare the information that will be required to apply for funds.

Please note that many providers were not able to apply for assistance because they are not in compliance with DC regulatory requirements including, Basic Business Licensing and proof of insurance, among other things. Please review the past program requirements at DCCOVIDHELP.com to get prepared to apply for the next round. SMOA members can get assistance with compliance requirements through our Compliance Assistance Fast Track Program. Call 202-873-9211 for more information.

EVICITION MORATORIUM
Evictions for non-payment of rent of tenants impacted by COVID is prohibited by the federal government until March 31, 2021, and will probably continue to be prohibited for several more months. SMOA has worked aggressively to get the DC Council to amend the DC COVID Emergency law to permit access to courts for health and public safety violations.

 

Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) blocked the Introduction of an emergency amendment by Councilmember Anita Bonds. (At-Large). As Chair of the Committee on Housing, Bonds was instrumental in getting the Mayor to permit di

rect access to rental assista

nce for landlords. Bonds intends to introduce the emergency amendment at the next legislative session. We have requested that Councilmember Allen meet with Ward Six small landlords. If you are a Ward Six housing provider who would like to join us in meeting with Councilmember Allen please call 202-873-9211 for more information.

FORECLOSURE PREVENTION FOR MULTIFAMILY OWNERS NEEDED

SMOA Is requesting that the DC Council move emergency legislation that would prohibit foreclosures against multifamily providers during the COVID health emergency. Many providers have been hit with a combination of record delinquencies and vacancies. Many of these small multifamily owners are long term residents, small and minority business owners. It only makes sense that the District extends some of the protections available to tenants and other rental housing providers to small multifamily providers. If you are a multifamily owner faced with foreclosure call Dean Hunter at 202-873-9211.

SMOA MOVES TO PROTECT MARYLAND LANDLORDS
Join our Maryland Legislative Update Webinar on Saturday January 30th at 1 pm. The webinar will address several regulatory and legislative matters that are of great significance to Prince George’s and Montgomery County landlords. Please register at our website https://multifamilyowners.org/
Montgomery Councilmember Will Jawndo (At-Large), is pushing legislation that will bring rent control to Montgomery County, drastically lower property values for thousands of property owners, and discourage the provision of affordable rental housing. Bill 52-20, Landlord-Tenant Relations -Protection Against Rent Gouging – is a dangerous and unnecessary taking of property rights. This measure would have a serious adverse impact on small rental housing providers. The legislation seeks to permanently restrict allowable rent increases for properties within 1 mile of rail transit stations, and within ½ mile of bus rapid transit stations. The Montgomery County Council will hold hearings on the legislation on February 11, 2021. If you own or manage property in Montgomery County we need you to testify. Join our fight to stop rent control from expanding in Montgomery County call 202-873-9211.

JUST CAUSE EVICTIONS

Members of the state legislature from Montgomery County are the leaders of an effort to expand Just Cause evictions to Maryland. Just Cause eviction laws severely restrict the circumstances in which a housing provider can require a tenant to vacate a property even after the termination of a lease period.

Just Cause evictions laws give exceptional rights and protections to tenants at the expense of housing providers. The laws result in lengthy and costly legal proceedings when providers want a tenant to move out of their property. The District has a Just Cause eviction law that is a nightmare for small housing providers. We must educate the members of The Montgomery County delegation about the harmful effects of such a measure and persuade them to discontinue efforts to pass such harmful and unnecessary legislation.

WASHINGTON GAS ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEETING

Small housing providers are invited to participate in a special Washington Gas community meeting on energy efficiency local developments and best practices. Energy Efficiency—What’s in it For You? will be held on January 26, 2021 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The meeting will focus on how providers can benefit from cost savings through energy efficiency measures while also helping to reduce carbon emissions. For more information and to register please register here https://www.washingtongas.com/media-center/cbp-community-meeting.