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419-259-9400 HCVP 419-246-3183
07/01/2020

HCVP Landlord Info: Preventing Evictions

Preventing Evictions: Information for HCV Landlords

Family of fourThank you for your participation as a landlord in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, providing a safe and affordable place for your tenants to live. HUD recognizes the challenges that both tenants and landlords face during this difficult time. The HCV program remains a reliable source of rental income for landlords, while providing a stable home for participants. As the CARES Act Eviction Moratorium ends on July 24, 2020, HCV landlords can play a crucial role in reducing housing instability. Many local or state eviction moratoria and other tenant protections may still be in effect, so it is important for you to be aware of the laws in your jurisdiction. Also, as a reminder, all HCV tenants have the option of repaying unpaid rent in a lump sum by July 24 and cannot be charged late fees or interest for rent due in the months of April, May, June, and July of 2020. Regardless of the restrictions currently in place in your area, HUD encourages landlords to strive to avoid evicting tenants whenever possible. This means, if the household is unable to pay a lump sum, HUD encourages owners to set up a repayment agreement with reasonable payments spread over time.

How to Avoid Eviction of HCV participants

  1. Reach out to your tenant(s). Find out why your tenant is behind on rent. Some families mistakenly believe that
    they do not need to pay rent during the moratorium. Direct outreach can help clarify uncertainties and ensure that
    families continue being housed. Residents who do not speak English or have a disability may be at increased risk of
    not understanding the recent changes in rent rules or policies. HUD published a tenant flyer on the eviction
    moratorium in 21 languages, available on the PIH COVID-19 Resources page.
  2. Ask if your tenant has reported any loss of income to the PHA. The HCV program is designed to provide
    affordable housing to families even when they lose their income or have their income reduced. Encourage your
    tenants to report their loss of income to the PHA so their rent portion can be decreased. In some cases, this
    adjustment can be processed retroactively, providing you with an increased housing assistance payments from the
    housing authority that may cover previously unpaid rent from the tenant. If a tenant is having trouble paying their
    adjusted rent portion, encourage the tenant to reach out to the PHA.
  3. Notify the PHA if a tenant falls behind on rent as soon as possible. PHAs have staff who can directly reach
    out to tenants and assist them in reporting income changes and/or identifying and applying for available resources.
  4. Set up a repayment agreement if the tenant cannot pay in a lump sum. HUD encourages HCV landlords to
    enter into repayment agreements so that families may continue to be housed. For any unpaid rent after the
    moratorium has ended, the family can repay unpaid rent in a lump sum to avoid eviction. When families are unable
    to pay a lump sum, HCV landlords are encouraged to set up a repayment agreement with reasonable payments
    spread over time that will not cause an undue burden to the tenant. Repayment agreements must follow any local
    or state eviction moratoriums, or other tenant or landlord protections in effect in your area.
  5. Offer information about available resources.