This page was created to provide LOCUS members and supporters with the most up-to-date information on COVID-19; we will continue to update this Resource Page as new information becomes available. Last updated on: April 21, 2020.
For more information on protecting yourself and your community during the coronavirus pandemic, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
For a full explanation of the above recommendations, click here.
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[collapse title=”State and Local Responses to COVID-19“]
State and local governments are taking diverse policy interventions to help “flatten the curve,” keep residents safe, and help businesses continue to operate in communities across the country. Keep track of these efforts below.
State-by-state Construction Status (via Duane Morris)
Coronavirus Updates and Resource Center, including a map of legislative and appropriations responses by state(FiscalNote)
Tracker of state and local COVID-19 small business relief programs (Living Cities)
COVID-19 Local Action Tracker (National League of Cities)
What steps have states taken to address Coronavirus? (National Governors Association)
Tracker for transportation-related community responses to COVID-19 (National Complete Streets Coalition)
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[collapse title=”Housing“]
The impact of COVID-19 has been immediately felt by renters, homeowners, and the real estate development and investment community. Facing job and income loss, construction moratoriums, and other challenges, LOCUS urges advocates and Congressional lawmakers to consider deliberate action in order to continue to expand the supply of attainable housing options across the country in the face of the ongoing pandemic.
Recommendations
Bipartisan letter to House leadership with Housing Credit priorities for future COVID-19 relief legislation
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Proposals for COVID-19 Relief (via ACTION Campaign)
Addressing Affordable Housing Challenges in the Midst of COVID-19 (via ACTION Campaign)
Recommendations to Congress for COVID-19 Relief Package Related to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (via ACTION Campaign)
Proposed Federal Liquidity Solution for the Mortgage Servicing Industry (via National Council of State Housing Agencies)
Resources
Availability of Waivers and Suspensions of the HOME Program Requirements in response to COVID-19 (via HUD)
Suspensions and Waivers to Facilitate Use of HOME-Assisted Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) for Emergency and Short-term Assistance in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic (via HUD)
HUD COVID-19 Resources and Fact Sheets
National Multifamily Housing Council’s Coronavirus Resources for Apartment Firms
National Housing Conference’s Resources for Every Facet of the Housing Industry
Local Housing Solutions’ Housing-Related Advice
Enterprise Community Partners’ Resources for Housing Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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[collapse title=”Transportation and Infrastructure“]
COVID-19 will have huge impacts on transit systems across the country, as non-essential workers stay home and regular service is disrupted. The CARES Act provided $25 billion in emergency operating assistance for transit across the country; however, long-term plans for transportation and infrastructure maintenance and investment have not been made.
Check out SGA’s infrastructure proposals, including investing in projects that create the most jobs, expanding broadband to small and rural communities, and promoting equitable transit-oriented development (TOD), in our 20 Recommendations for Emergency Stabilization and Economic Recovery.
2.8 million essential workers use transit to get to their jobs
Deal struck with $25 billion in emergency funding for transit
Transit is a public good – let’s treat it that way
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[collapse title=”Community and Economic Development“]
Congress’ immediate coronavirus relief packages have expanded funding for numerous community and economic development programs across the country.
The CARES Act includes:
$1 billion for Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) to help communities address the consequences of increasing unemployment and economic disruption.
$5 billion added to the Community Development Fund.
Read LOCUS’ summary of the CARES Act for a full list of expanded funding for programs supporting community and economic development programs across America.
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[collapse title=”Work Force and Small Businesses“]
Federal agencies and state and local governments have developed grants, loans, and other forms of financial relief programs for small businesses across the country. See below for guides on navigating these expanded resources, databases for finding financing partnerships, and information about how the private sector is helping small businesses out.
Federal Assistance for Small Businesses
U.S. Small Business Administration’s Coronavirus Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Check-List
Non-Federal Assistance for Small Businesses
How Small Businesses Can Access Private Sector Grants and Loans During COVID-19 (via FiscalNote)
Searchable database of grants, loans, and other cash equivalents that can help entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and businesses from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business
GoFundMe’s Small Business Relief Fund provides one-time matching grants to qualifying small businesses
Google’s $800+ Million Crisis Response includes $340 million in Google Ads credits available to all small businesses with active accounts over the past year
Other Resources
U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19
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[collapse title=”How You can Help“]
LOCUS is requesting feedback from members and supporters to help create federal policy proposals that support the post-COVID-19 economic recovery.
At LOCUS, we have a deep understanding of federal programs that can help—and ideas for new programs that can be implemented. But the scale of this crisis is unprecedented in modern times and we could use your help to identify other ways in which the federal response can address state and local issues.
We invite you to take this brief survey to provide your thoughts and ideas. Your survey response can help identify critical issues that aren’t getting attention at the federal level!
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