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What Does Government Shutdown Mean For HUD Programs?
The federal government shutdown has been in effect for more than twenty days. As a result of the impasse be- tween President Donald Trump and Congress, many federal employees are not re- ceiving paychecks. The im- passe is the result of Congress refusing to allot President Trump $5 million to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. Addition- ally, as the shutdown contin- ues, it may have an adverse affect of other federal funding programs.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition has com- posed a breakdown of what will be funded during the shutdown and what will not be funded.
With Congress at an im- passe on how to resolve the controversy over border wall funding, it remains unclear how long the shutdown will be. President Trump has threatened via Twitter that the shutdown “will last for a very long time.”
The Housing & Urban De- velopment Program (HUD) has issued a contingency plan, outlining the shutdown status for HUD programs:
Public Housing: Local public housing agencies (PHAs) are not federal gov- ernment entities and thus will not shut down. But, PHAs re- ceive significant federal fund- ing and their hours and capacities may be impacted by the federal shutdown.
Depending on the length of the shutdown, some PHAs may not be able to maintain normal operations. HUD rec- ommends that local PHAs be contacted for information as to their operating levels.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance: According to HUD’s plan, housing assis- tance payments (HAP) and administrative fees will be disbursed. However, any funding action which requires HUD staff will not be
processed during the govern- ment shutdown. Obligated HAP funds (HUD-held re- serves) are available for draw. HUD will not process re- quests for tenant protection vouchers for public housing or multifamily actions during the shutdown.
PHAs are not required to cease issuing vouchers during a government shutdown. PHAs should assess their fi- nancial ability to make pay- ments on behalf of currently assisted households as well as those potentially to be served when considering their ability to issue vouchers.
Project-Based Rental Assistance: HUD plans to draw on advanced appropria- tions to continue housing payments for project-based contracts. According to HUD’s plan, it will make pay- ments under Section 8 con- tracts, rent supplement, Section 236, and project rental assistance contracts (PRACs) on an as needed basis to ensure ongoing via- bility of assets and preserva- tion of affordable housing. Payments will be contingent on budget authority being available from prior appropri- ations or recaptures.
Homeless Assistance Grants: According to the contingency plan, HUD homeless assistance grants, including supportive housing for veterans and housing for people with AIDS, will con- tinue to be funded to protect life.
HOME Investment Partnerships Program, CDBG. HUD will continue to disburse CDBG, HOME, and other block grant funds where prior year funds have been obligated. CDBG-DR will con- tinue to be funded through multi-year appropriations.
HUD’s contingency plan provides details on agency functions that will continue or will halt for additional HUD programs.
Ex-Felons Can Now Get Their Voting Rights Restored
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Last week, Rodney Johnson did some- thing that he’s helped others do for years but could not do himself: he registered to vote.
The Tampa resident was among the more than 1 million Floridians who had their right to vote restored when Amendment 4 passed in November.
Last Tuesday, January 8th, was the first day ex-felons could begin the process necessary to again – or maybe for the first time ever – par- ticipate in elections as voters.
According to the new law, ex-felons not convicted of murder or felony sex offenses can now vote as long as they have completed their sentences.
It is estimated that about 10 percent of Florida’s population were disenfranchised prior to the Amendment passing, and African Americans accounted for about 21 percent of that group, according to criminal justice re- form nonprofit organization, The Sentencing Project.
Johnson, 47, is an activist with Organize Florida who has helped hundreds of his fellow citizens take advantage of their right to vote despite not casting a ballot of his own.
Now that he’s able to do that, he’s “thinking about the possibilities,” Johnson said.
“I feel refreshed,” he said. “At least I’ll have something to say about what goes on in my community instead of leaving it in someone else’s hands.”
Johnson and others like him are entitled to that feeling of empowerment and it’s up to the state of Florida to ensure that they are given the resources necessary to be fully par- ticipant in the voting process, said Tim Heberlein, Regional Director for Organize Florida.
“Part of this is making sure the state of Florida is doing its part,” he said. “This is good for everybody and anyone who doesn’t think so is undemocratic.”
Before serving a 22-month conviction on drug charges, Johnson was known locally on the entertainment scene as rapper, Rated R.
RODNEY JOHNSON
Growing up, voting wasn’t a huge concern in his neighborhood. But after years of being forced to sit out the exercise, Johnson said he’s determined to get as many ex-felons as possible registered.
Johnson said he understands that getting folks registered who have been denied the right to vote for long periods won’t be an in- stant win with each individual.
In those cases, it’s about helping them meet needs that may be more pressing, like – unemployment, for example – and then rope them into registering, he said.
“Everybody needs to get out and vote,” he said. “Grab a hand, get your family members, and let them know how important it is.
There is strength in numbers.”
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019