Community Programs Weekly

Community Programs Weekly

IHCDA continues to monitor the situation with COVID-19 in Indiana as circumstances change and additional information becomes available. To provide transparency and customer service, IHCDA will update this list with any new policies/procedures as they become available. These updates will be provided on a weekly basis for the foreseeable future.

IHCDA Updates

IHCDA has developed a new page on our website to keep you informed of our actions, and other important information during this critical time. This is your one-stop-shop for all the resources, guidance and information that we issue related to COVID-19.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) re-instituted the mortgage payment assistance program through Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) for homeowners, and has developed a new resource guide to help homeowners and renters avoid future eviction and foreclosure. 

New Resources

  • The National Community Action Foundation (NCAF) has created a video series entitled "Community Action Together," and will be regularly releasing installments. Each episode will feature David Bradley in conversation with a Community Action Agency (CAA) from around the country to hear more about their agency's community and response to the current health and economic crises.
  • Today at 1:00pm EST: Wipfli subject matter experts and Community Action and Head Start leaders will come together in part 2 of a panel-based webinar series, Building Resiliency and Preparing for Our Moment! For more information, click here.
  • OSHA has released a Resource regarding COVID-19 workplace safety.
  • NASCSP has developed a document of Considerations for WAP Field Work regarding safety protocols when returning to production after COVID-19.

Reminders for Subgrantees

Community Programs Updates

  • We have recently added two new analysts to our EAP team: Welcome Sam & Sedric!
  • To review the full Community Programs Department:
    • Director: Emily Krauser
    • EAP Team: Manager Thomas Hartnett-Russell, Analysts Samantha Alexander-Chenault and Sedric Warren, Monitor Renee Smith
    • CSBG Team: Manager Veronica Watson, Analyst Veda Morris-May, and Monitor Steven St. John (also serves as overall Monitoring Manager); Fiscal Monitor Justin Bruce (also monitors across programs)
    • Weatherization Team: Manager Carlas Bogue, Analyst Desirea Island, and the monitor role is currently in process of being hired.

Weatherization Updates

  • DOE closeouts due May 15.
  • IHCDA is working with DOE to adjust the state ACPU to $7,500 for the 2019 program year to account for the pandemic.

CSBG Updates

  • Award amendments for the remainder of 2020 CSBG funds will be sent out by early next week.
  • IHCDA released guidance on income eligibility and using CSBG for technology late last week. That guidance can be found here.
  • On Tuesday, 4/21, IHCDA hosted a webinar that provided an update on CARES Act Funds and the State Office’s response to the new funding. The slides and recording for the webinar cwill be posted on IHCDA's COVID-19 page soon
    • During that webinar, it was explained that IHCDA expects LSPs to use a community needs assessment template based on the template created by the National Partnership. IHCDA is currently finalizing an edited version of that template, and in the meantime, LSPs are encouraged to review the original template to start pulling relevant data.

EAP Updates

  • The PY2020 closing date has been pushed back from May 15, 2020 to July 31, 2020. This will be the deadline for new applications and for existing applicants to request additional benefits. LSPs will have a two-week period to finalize claims and collect any missing documentation. All PY2020 claims must be transmitted by August 14, 2020.
  • The Community Programs Division has released a clarification of the Drastic Loss of Income policy in order to provide additional flexibility regarding documentation requirements to LSPs and applicants during the public health crisis.
  • The Community Programs Division is actively working to provide a line item for LSPs to purchase technological enhancements in order to help their intake and EAP operations staff work more effectively with the changes necessitated by the public health crisis. LSPs are strongly encouraged to begin the process of assessing needs and collecting quotes now.
  • HHS has released the final 1% of the 2020 LIHEAP Block Grant to the states. Amendments will be forthcoming.
  • IHCDA has not yet received the funding award attached to the CARES Act.

Additional Resources

  • Saturn Resource Management is offering free Weatherization online training videos on their YouTube page during the Corona virus production shutdown. 
  • Weatherization Strategies & Tips for Continuing Operations During Suspended Production
  • Applications open for limited funds: Paycheck Protection (PPP) loans for nonprofits The PPP will be administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA) and implemented by banks around the country that are already approved as SBA lenders as well as other banks and credit unions who opt in to the program. The money will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. The window opened April 3. Learn more 
  • LUNA COVID-19 Response Center webpage provides links to stay-at-home FAQs, governor’s addresses re: COVID-19, and infographic Public Health Department PSAs in a number of languages for use in your programs. Click here for more. 

COVID-19 and Census 2020

Agencies are encouraged to continue outreach to ensure their clients are counted in the 2020 Census. Given the impact that COVID-19 is having on in-person interactions, agencies should direct their clients to the online questionnaire here: https://my2020census.gov/. Additional resources related to the Census can be found below:

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