Overdose Awareness Guide
HUD recognizes the importance of national and local efforts to prevent overdose tragedies that impact too many of us, our loved ones, and our communities. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to beating the opioid and overdose epidemic – in memory of all those we have lost and to protect all the lives we can still save.
Over time, we have seen increasing awareness and destigmatization of this issue, powered by people taking action to prevent tragedies. Every day, communities are stepping up to support each other to reduce drug-related harms with pragmatic, evidence-based approaches to saving lives, reducing risk, and removing barriers to effective interventions.
Public health officials across the country have successfully increased the availability of Naloxone to improve public safety. As these efforts have expanded their reach, owners and operators have sought to understand how they can be supportive partners in these efforts, while also adhering to existing rules.
To this end, HUD is proud to share the following FAQ to guide owners and operators who seek to make Naloxone (Narcan) available in their communities.
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications, if given in time. Like Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) or EpiPens, Naloxone is a valuable tool to provide an extra layer of protection for people at risk of overdose.
We thank housing authorities for acting as leaders in their communities to improve public health, in addition to all you do to house and support the families we all serve.
RAD’s Big Footprint in Small Town America
In honor of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, the Office of Recapitalization wants to thank all current and past military service members for their enduring commitment to our country. This story of public housing in Brenham, Texas, is one that begins with the vision of Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Ray who, like so many other veterans, continued the tradition of service on his return to civilian life. Recently, local leaders renewed Lt. Col. Ray’s vision, embracing the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program as a critical lifeline to preserve the affordable housing in this community of fewer than 20,000 people located in the rolling hills and rich ranch lands near where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed.
After serving in the Air Force, Lt. Col. Ray spearheaded the town’s first public housing development with 60 homes in 1971. The public housing stock in Brenham would eventually grow to 300 homes. However, by 2014, it was evident that the housing stock was deteriorating more quickly than it could be repaired, and Brenham Housing Authority (BHA) had no readily available source of funds for major capital investments. At first skeptical of RAD, a few questions came to mind. Was it just for larger agencies? Would residents be displaced? Through RAD, BHA was able to finance the rehabilitation, demolition, new construction, and temporary relocation of residents to transform Parklane Villas into a beautiful and sustainable public resource for current and future generations. Today, Parklane Villas features abundant open space, a community center, a workout facility, a communal room for events, a daycare facility, and a business center with computers. Apartment homes feature modern bathrooms and kitchens, ample storage, and in-unit washers and dryers.View the Photo Essay Here
Disaster Planning in RAD Conversions
The RAD Supplemental Notice published this July requires Public Housing Authorities (PHA) to analyze a property’s hazard risk by use of FEMA’s National Risk Index. If climate hazards are identified, PHAs are required to create a property-wide disaster plan including, among other items, an evacuation plan that describes safe egress route(s), plans for evacuating residents with disabilities and special needs, and clear communication of the evacuation plan and safety resources for residents. To help PHAs and their partners develop property-specific plans, HUD created the Multifamily Disaster Preparedness Template. The template is a model document that users can fill out to establish a Disaster Plan. It references best practices for disaster and evacuation planning and provides resources for users to learn more as they consider their property’s needs. It is designed to guide users through the process of gathering appropriate information and resident input, drafting a plan, and educating residents and staff about the plan.
Green and Resilient Retrofit Program Awards and Upcoming Deadlines
The new Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) announced the first set of Leading Edge awardees on October 19th, providing over $100 million in funding for utility efficiency, carbon reduction, and climate resilience improvements. Applications are still open, with the following upcoming deadlines:
- Comprehensive – November 30, 2023
- Elements – January 4, 2024
Properties that converted to project-based rental assistance (PBRA) contracts on or before September 30, 2021, are eligible for funding and are encouraged to apply. Additional program information and application details can be found on the GRRP website.
Updated PBRA Quick Reference Guide
An updated PBRA Quick Reference Guide incorporating changes from the RAD Supplemental Notice is now available on the RAD Resource Desk Document Library.
- RAD PBRA Quick Reference Guide – Revised November 2023
New Faircloth-to-RAD Documents Posted
We’ve posted an updated Faircloth-to-RAD Guide incorporating changes from the RAD Supplemental Notice.
- Faircloth-to-RAD Guide – Revised November 2023
In case you missed it, HUD hosted a Faircloth-to-RAD webinar on September 20th. A recording of the webinar, the PowerPoint slides, and written Q&As from the session have been posted on the RAD Resource Desk.