COVID19: Resources and information

What you need to know about the COVID19 pandemic in Idaho. How it impacts renters and homeowners, fair housing rights and responsibilities, and where to find official information on keeping yourself, your family and your community safe during the pandemic.

We’re all in this together.

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) has information for renters and owners using programs or services it administers.

The Intermountain Fair Housing Council has created an on-line informational resource for tenants impacted by the COVID19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn and layoffs. View their resource page here.

Idaho-based Gary E. Hanes and Associates is collecting links to COVID19 in multiple languages. View their resource page here.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has prepared information on the COVID19 outbreak for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals. See their informational page here.

Idaho’s Governor Brad Little declared a State of Extreme Emergency and issued a 21-day Stay At Home Order, closing down all non-essential businesses and services to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Read more at the state’s official COVID19 page.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness is helping coordinate information and resource availability to respond to the CODIV19 outbreak. Homeless populations are among the most vulnerable to community spread and lack the ability to ‘stay at home.’ See their informational page here.

The National Low-Income Housing Coalition is also mobilizing resources and sharing strategies to address increasing housing challenges caused by the convergence of a historic housing crisis and the COVID19 pandemic. View their informational page here.

Idaho AHMA Presents LEP Training November 14th

Idaho Ahma logo.png Limited English Proficiency Webinar presented by Gwen Volk

SAVE THE DATE!
November 14, 2019
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Focus: HUD recently reminded us that failure to provide meaningful access to persons with Limited English Proficiency could be violation of the Fair Housing Act. Why? Because national origin is a protected class. HUD and RD properties are required to periodically look at the LEP profile of their residents and market area and update their plan to provide meaningful access. But even a tax credit or market rate property could be in trouble if LEP persons face barriers to applying. Come to this session and learn what to do about LEP.

Format: 90-minutes

Cost: $45 / IAHMA Members- $60 / Non-members

Register online: https://lep.eventzilla.net

You may register directly with IAHMA and save ticketing fees. Send registration list including names, business name, email address and phone number. it is especially important to have the email address of each registrant as that is used to provide the access code to the webinar.

Sponsored by Idaho Affordable Housing Management Association

About the Instructor: Since 1983, Gwen Volk has assisted developers, owners, agents, and on-site staff in navigating the complexities and challenges of the many programs that provide housing opportunities for low and moderate-income families.

Gwen served as vice president, president and chief executive officer of a Midwest affordable housing development and management company from 1983-1996 and as chief compliance officer for a Dallas-based firm with a national portfolio from 2001 – 2014. For the past twenty years, throughout her other pursuits, Gwen has provided training and consulting services in 36 states through GWEN VOLK INFOCUS, INC. She has extensive knowledge and experience in Section 42 low income housing tax credit, tax-exempt bond, HOME, Section 8, 236, 202 PAC, 202/811 PRAC and Rural Development program compliance.

Gwen is highly skilled and effective at teaching and coaching staff at every level, helping owners to navigate the complexities of the programs, advising agents on compliance and problem-solving, and working with the agencies that administer and monitor the programs. Her experience, knowledge, passion and commitment to the affordable housing industry makes her uniquely qualified to serve the training and consulting needs of the organizations, agencies, companies and individuals who make affordable housing a reality.

https://www.idahoahma.org/webinars

Bedbug posters available in eight languages

From the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, important information to share with tenants about bedbug management to help protect tenant health and reduce liability:

“Property Managers can encourage renters to report bed bugs immediately and avoid using total release foggers (or “bug bombs”) with this poster.

Download the 11 x 17 poster (English), print it, and write in your phone number.

Get the poster as a PDF in:
Amharic, Burmese, Chinese, Nepali, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

We also have a short video on bed bugs discussing non-pesticidal strategies for preventing and managing bed bugs in apartment housing. It includes information about potential health risks of foggers, bug bombs, and other chemicals commonly used for bed bug treatment.”

Local Bus Panels, Videos Promote Fair Housing

The City of Boise Fair Housing Task Force and regional Forum partners are getting the word out about fair housing and the 2-1-1 referral option! Look for these bus panels and posters on bus benches around the valley, and help us spread the word about fair housing resources and protection!

Fair Housing Posters

To download the fabulous posters created during this campaign, select from the links below to download and print either English or Spanish.

And remember to share the corresponding fair housing videos sponsored by Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA).