New VAWA Resources, Funding Opportunities, Trainings, and Technical Assistance
Today, HUD announced new resources to advance housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). These resources include a new VAWA website, a Notice setting out HUD’s enforcement authority under VAWA, and up to $5 million in funding to provide VAWA training and technical assistance to HUD grantees and other stakeholders.
For more information, please view the press release.
Fire Hazard and Prevention Tips for Electric Scooters and Bikes
HUD created a memo and flyer to provide awareness about the increasing fire hazard and fire prevention tips for electric scooters and bikes. Please ensure this information is shared periodically with staff and residents in all of your multifamily properties to help reduce the risk of fire and injury. Multifamily owners, management agents, and residents can do their part to help prevent electric scooter and bike related fires. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends following these guidelines:
• Always be present when charging devices using lithium-ion batteries.
• Only use the charger that came with your device.
• Only use an approved replacement battery pack.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper charging and unplug the device when done.
• Never charge while sleeping.
• Never use these devices with a battery pack that has been modified/reworked by unqualified personnel or with re-purposed or used cells.
• Never throw lithium batteries into the trash or general recycling. Instead, take them to your local battery recycler or hazardous waste collection center.
HUD Awards $315 Million to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness
Yesterday, HUD announced the first set of communities to receive grants and vouchers to address homelessness among people in unsheltered settings and in rural communities. The announcement totals nearly $315 million in grants to 46 communities. In the coming weeks, HUD will be awarding grants to an additional set of communities, as well as allocating housing vouchers to awarded communities. Together, these grants and vouchers comprise a first-of-its-kind package of resources to help communities provide housing and supportive services to people in unsheltered settings and people experiencing homelessness in rural areas. Communities were also asked to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing unsheltered and rural homelessness that involves coordination with health care providers, other housing agencies such as public housing authorities, and people with lived experience. The full list of grantees is available here.
To view the press release, click here.