HUD Announces Over $5 Million in Targeted Funding for Massachusetts Coronavirus Relief

BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today made more than $5.2 million available to Massachusetts public housing agencies (PHAs) in the form of Mainstream funding vouchers to assist non-elderly populations impacted by Coronavirus.

Mainstream Vouchers are administered using the same rules as other housing choice vouchers but targeted to serve a special population to ensure residents of low income housing, including those with unique circumstances, receive necessary funding to protect their health and safety against COVID-19.  This funding is part of $86.85 million being awarded nationally.  See below for a list of funding in Massachusetts.

“This funding comes at a critical time for our Massachusetts housing agencies that are working so hard to house our most vulnerable, “said David Tille, HUD New England Regional Administrator.

“Recently, we have learned a great deal about Coronavirus and the impact it has on all of our nation’s people,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “Now, we must apply this knowledge to protect and save lives, especially when it comes to populations that face adversity in the form of mental, physical, and emotional challenges. Understanding the needs of these populations, Mainstream Vouchers provide targeted assistance to non-elderly populations with disabilities in The Department’s ongoing effort to provide resources to combat COVID-19.”

“Mainstream Vouchers are an important tool assist one of our most vulnerable populations. Providing housing is more important than ever in light of the continued effects of COVID-19,” said Assistant Secretary Hunter Kurtz.

Authorized by the CARES Act, HUD is making a total of $150 million in Mainstream funding available for PHAs from FY20 and previous year appropriations.