COVID-19 Housing Resources

March 31, 2020 | Categories: About the FHC | Tags: coronavirus, covid_19, Eviction, foreclosure, housing resources, landlord, renter

Congress passed a $2 trillion relief bill, but that money won’t be available before many of us have to make rent and utility payments on April 1st. Much of the relief is also one-time payments and we all have recurring expenses. That’s why we are sharing this template for an email or text you can send to your landlord and are including some additional resources on what’s in the relief bill so you can plan for the future. Thank you to our friends at the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center for much of this content.

Sample Email/Text to Your Landlord

Hi ________, I hope you are safe and healthy. I wanted to keep you updated about my situation. I have lost income/work/my job because of the COVID-19 crisis and cannot afford to pay my April rent at this time. Would you be willing to:

1. Waive April late fees?

2. Agree not to evict me for not being able to pay April rent on time, and instead agree that after the Governor lifts the stay at home order, we will work out a repayment agreement that works for both of us?

Most mortgage holders can qualify for a forbearance because of COVID-19. If you receive a forbearance from your lender, would you also be willing to not charge me rent for those months?

Thanks for your flexibility and understanding,
Your Name

What’s in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act?

• Evictions for not paying rent and late fees are prohibited until July 25th for any landlord who has a federally backed mortgage or who receives government housing subsidies.
• Roughly 70% of all mortgages for 1-4 family homes are federally backed (by FHA, HUD, VA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Dept. of Agriculture).
• Calculate how much money you may receive from a stimulus check and when it might arrive.
• Learn more about enhanced unemployment benefits.

For Renters and Homeowners

• Learn more about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Eviction and Foreclosure Cases in Michigan

For Homeowners and Landlords

• The CARES Act makes it possible for anyone with a federally backed mortgage, to request up to a six month forbearance with no penalties, with the option to extend another six months.
• Find out if you have a federally backed mortgage.
• Make sure to contact your mortgage servicer, as all financial institutions are being encouraged to offer forbearance plans to their customers.

Now more than ever, this virus has shown us that we are dependent on each other. Please share this information widely and we appreciate everything you’re doing to take care of your family, neighbors, and community. 

And, as always, if you believe you have been the victim of housing discrimination, or you would like to run a situation by us, please email complaints@fhcmichigan.org, or call us at 877-979-FAIR (3247).