The Best Resource For Learning From Housers Just Like You!
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PNRC SERVICE OFFICE MAILING ADDRESS
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PNRC Service Office
c/o Shelli Scrogum
12246 FM 1769
Graham, TX 76450
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A Word From Our President, Cupid Alexander
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Greetings Housers,
It’s hard to believe many of us in the Pacific Northwest are entering our 3
rd, 4
th, 5
th, or 6
th week of social isolation which has shut down our communities. Many schools have been reduced to online studies, restaurants are pick up only, religious gathering spaces have been shut down, and our sporting events have been postponed.
So while, we have a moment with our society practically at a stand still as we do our best to fight COVID-19, I want to thank you all for the work you are doing. Some of you are working from offices still, and others of you are taking this work home. You are working to provide support and assistance to some our most vulnerable populations, and helping them to remain housed.
And yet, we know we have soo much further to go. We have many of our small business shuttered, we have many of our neighbors now unemployed, we have exhausted medical staff, and have stretched our safety and response teams to the maximum.
I hope you all join me in remaining hopeful; supporting our family, friends and neighbors, and staying vigilant about personal public health and safety.
Again- thank you all and stay safe.
Cupid Alexander
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PNRC Coronavirus COV-ID Resource Page
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We know that information has been hitting you at all angles, so we here at PNRC have been diligently working to try and filter all of that information to one location.
If you come across something you believe needs to be on here simply email us at pnrc@nahro.org. Stay Safe!
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Webinar Trainings Coming Up!
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With the postponment of the Annual Conference and the nationwide pandemic not allowing us to meet in person. PNRC has partnered with National NAHRO to provide you with multiple training opportunities whether you are working from home or in the office.
Here is a list of the upcoming courses and links to register.
If you want to register by credit card click on the link below; if you want to be invoiced and pay by check simply email pnrc@nahro.org and we will get you registered.
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Fair Housing w/ Proficiency Exam, April 27-30
Cost: $300 per member (Exam included)
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This two-day training program will focus on Fair Housing within the Assisted Housing Programs with a special emphasis on the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Programs. The program will begin with the basics of Fair Housing, but then will take you deep into the Fair Housing process, program specific requirements, best practices, resolutions of complaints, 504 standards and processing reasonable accommodation requests. It will provide the latest information on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the newest protected classes, Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and other federal provisions. The seminar will also include information on cases for Fair Housing violations, voluntary compliance agreements and special conditions that may be required by HUD or DOJ.
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Housing Choice Voucher Eligibility, Income and Rent Calculation (HCVEIR) w/ Certification Exam, May 4-8
Cost: $300 per member + $150 per Exam
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This training will teach housing authority staff how to accurately determine income and calculate rent. It will cover: factors of eligibility, denial of assistance, screening, determination of unit size, non-discrimination/equal opportunity, annual income, income form assets, income exclusions, adjusted income, verification of factors affecting eligibility and rent, TTP, maximum initial rent burden, maximum subsidy, rents and payments, prorated assistance, minimum rent, imputed welfare income, and earned income disallowance.
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Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) w/ Certification Exam, May 11-15
Cost: $300 per person + $150 exam
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Provides participants with the knowledge and skills needed to properly inspect Public Housing Agency (PHA) Program units. This interactive and comprehensive training, which discusses specifications of the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) and the inspector's roles and responsibilities, enhances participants' knowledge of and abilities to meet new challenges and procedures related to using Uniform Physical Condition Standards. Fulfills one of the requirements for the
CSI-UPCS
certification.
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Procurement & Contract Management
Cost: $300 per person No Exam
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NAHRO's Procurement and Contract Management Seminar is completely revised and updated for HUD's new handbook 7460.8 REV 2. Understanding the new handbook and how it interfaces with the asset management paradigm will help your agency in determining responsibility and accountability at the development site. You will learn how to procure quality goods and services for the right cost, the highest quality, for timely delivery, and in compliance with applicable laws and policies. The training covers estimating costs of goods and services, and developing criteria for analysis of proposals.
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Latest News From National NAHRO
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Top News
President's Message
Other News
See what home means to Martin
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It is our hope and prayer that over the next couple months things will slowly get back to normal and we can meet in person once again. So we have rescheduled the PNRC NAHRO Annual Conference for August. 31-Sept 4. The main conference will be Sept 1&2 and then Commissioners Training and HUD Financial Sept 3-4.
We hope you can all join us in Renton!
For More information visit us at pnrcnahro.org/events
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Washington State Department of Commerce Announces $5 Million Emergency Response Grant for Tribes
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Tribal communities across the state will have access to funding to help address increased demand and costs associated with COVID-19 response
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce announced $5 million in emergency grants is now available to the 29 federally recognized tribes in the state to bolster their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These funds are immediately accessible to tribal governments coping with severe impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “From food distribution and isolation housing to medical equipment and services for vulnerable members, the grants will strengthen tribal communities all across the state.”
Each tribal government will receive an immediate grant of $100,000, with the remaining $2.1 million distributed based on a formula currently under development between Commerce and tribal leaders.
Eligible expenses and activities covered under the grant include but are not limited to:
- Costs to address public health needs in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and its impacts
- The creation and operation of isolation and quarantine housing
- Costs associated with the increased demand for social programs, such as elder care services, food distribution or behavioral health services
- Costs associated with assisting people experiencing homelessness or housing instability and needing physical distancing and other preventative measures
- Procurement of health care equipment, including telehealth equipment and licenses
- Unemployment match required under the federal CARES Act
- Purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning and sanitation supplies
- Costs related to COVID -19 testing
- Other expenses in agreement with the Department of Commerce
“COVID-19 knows no political, geographic or cultural boundaries,” said Commerce Tribal Liaison Ernie Rasmussen. “This government-to-government effort to combat the impacts of COVID-19 is a testament to the human partnership necessary to succeed in our attempts to return every community to normalcy as quickly as possible.”
“The COVID-19 crisis is having disastrous impacts on tribes throughout the state,” said W. Ron Allen, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Chair and CEO. “While other states are leaving tribes to fend for themselves, Washington is partnering to distribute state coronavirus relief funds to help mitigate the pandemic’s impact to our tribal governments and communities. We are deeply appreciative of this assistance.”
More information about the grants is
posted here
on Commerce’s website, under the “COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant for Tribal Governments” section
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A Community Banding Together: How Seattle Residents Got Together To Help With Getting Meals to Those in Need
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To alleviate emergency food needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, KCHA is partnering with Amazon and local caterer Gourmondo to provide fresh, healthy, boxed meals to seniors and the medically vulnerable living in our public housing mid-rises. The program, which launched March 25, serves 25 sites and 1,700 residents.
With funding from Amazon, Gourmondo prepares hearty "double meals" which they distribute to KCHA properties three times per week. KCHA staff then deliver the boxed meals to the doorstep of each resident using prescribed physical distancing and hygiene protocols.
Though staff volunteer to undertake meal delivery shifts, this program has enabled KCHA to creatively redeploy employees who are unable to telework due to the nature of their jobs - such as HQS inspectors and Capital Construction and Weatherization staff - as well as Resident Services staff, to help meet residents' essential needs.
In addition to providing tasty, nutritional meals, the program means that medically vulnerable residents can "stay home, stay healthy." It also provides a bright spot during their long days of self-isolation. Wrote one resident: "I'm writing to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind, generous, and deeply moving gesture
to bring an old lady her lunch. Not just any lunch, but a gourmet lunch with all the trimmings, not to mention a divinely scrumptious 3 times a week. Unheard of."
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Shelter Closings Due to Lack of Resources to Keep the Doors Open or to Safely Operate
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Across the country, homeless service providers are struggling to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to follow public health guidelines and help ensure people’s safety, some shelters are being forced to reduce services, restrict admittance, or close entirely. The loss of these critical resources puts people experiencing homelessness at an even higher risk of illness.
As of April 3, over 25 shelters have had to majorly alter services or
completely close
. The
$12 billion for housing and homelessness
included in the CARES Act is an important step forward, and one of the largest ever one-time increases in federal funding for HUD. These funds are urgently needed to meet the dire needs of people who are experiencing homelessness and will go a long way towards shoring up understaffed and under-resourced homeless service providers working to respond to tremendous new challenges. To keep the following list from growing and possibly the permanent loss of necessary resources for people experiencing homelessness, who are most vulnerable during this pandemic, we must work to ensure that these funds are allocated as quickly and effectively as possible to the communities most in need.
Oregon
In Portland, a motel owner
kicked out
clients of a homeless service provider because he didn’t want people experiencing homelessness in his motel.
Washington
Freezing Nights, the only overnight shelter program outside of Tacoma (in that county),
announced
Monday it would suspend shelter services this year.
The only daytime center in East Pierce County, the New Hope Resource Center, has reduced daily hours to 12 to 3 p.m. (same source)
In the Seattle area, three homeless shelters operated by Union Gospel Mission
closed
on March 27, leaving 270 people quarantined inside the shelters for two weeks.
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Bremerton COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program Launched
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The Bremerton COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program, a joint venture with the Bremerton Housing Authorty, was launched today to aid City residents facing financial hardship due to the outbreak.
The temporary program will help eligible residents pay for a portion of rent as a result of reduced income or job losses due to the coronavirus. The City’s program to help renters was established two years ago but has been expanded to include citizens affected by the pandemic.
“We are in a public health emergency. Rental assistance will provide some short-term relief to those who are facing a financial burden due to the response to COVID-19,” said Mayor Greg Wheeler. “I understand the impacts of the coronavirus on all of our lives, and I will continue to work diligently to explore options for assistance and communicate about resources available to our community.”
The Bremerton COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program is administered by the Bremerton Housing Authority. Those who live within the boundaries of Bremerton and meet income qualifications are eligible to apply. For details and income eligibility, please visit bremertonhousing.org.
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Tips on Working Remotely from our Business Partner: Pinnacle Architecture, Inc.
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Hello PNRC,
As I write this, my team is working remotely from various locations in Central Oregon, the Portland Metro area, and Vancouver, Washington. We are moving our projects forward, keeping our staff healthy, and looking at ways to help our clients and communities.
Helping our Clients
People’s health is our first priority. Second is the health of our organizations and businesses. We’re continuing to work on projects and reducing all unnecessary travel. For site visits, we’re coordinating with our contractor partners to do virtual walkthroughs, if able. Some projects may be put hold but planning for the future is not. We’re here to help your organization keep functioning, whether that’s converting space into temporary medical facilities or a feasibility study for that property you’ve been pondering. Let us know how we can help.
Engaging our Community
This is a rough time for everyone, especially the vulnerable. Seniors at communities across the country are basically in isolation to reduce the spread and save lives. We’re currently doing a remodel at Cascades of Bend Senior Living. To keep their residents safe, they are restricting visitors and limiting group social gatherings. Our team and their families are writing letters and drawing pictures addressed to each resident in hopes of bringing a little joy in these bleak times. News Channel 21 / KTVZ caught wind of the efforts and
interviewed
Associate Principal, Briana Manfrass, about the efforts.
Working Remotely
Since 2017, Pinnacle has had a remote workforce to capitalize on great talent across the country. Experience with remote working has benefitted our operations and our clients during this unprecedented time. Having the IT infrastructure in place is one thing, but having the skill set to communicate virtually takes practice! Things that work for us if you’re getting started:
- Make it seamless for our clients and project partners to access us. We’re working like we’re in the office. Typical hours, phones are forwarded, easy to use voicemail system, etc.
- Utilize a collaboration software tool. We use Microsoft Teams. You can do group and one-on-one chats and video conferences. Video meetings are highly encouraged since communication is 7 percent verbal and 93 percent non-verbal!
- Keep socially connected with the staff. Starting the week by doing “roll call” and sharing a tidbit about what you did over the weekend helps keep that connection among the team. We even had a senior high school picture show and tell this week.
We’re here to help. Take care of yourself and others!
Regards,
Peter Baer, President
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Stay Safe & Healthy!
From Your Friends at Pinnacle!
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Artwork in Homes for Good’s New Office Building:
A Collaborative Process
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Homes for Good’s new administration building is currently finishing up construction. Through the process of construction, the Homes for Good communications department has been working on a collaborative project to bring artwork into the building. The scope of the project was separated into wall graphics, and art installations that are being created for the building
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Staff Selected Nature Scenes
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The wall graphics have officially been installed in the new admin building, and we are ecstatic about the results. Five nature scenes were selected from staff submitted photos. The criteria were that the staff had to take the photos themselves, and that they have to be within Lane County boundaries. The nature photos were selected in the following categories: waterfalls, lakes, coast, mountains, and forest to show the breadth of scenery within the county we serve. The purpose of the graphics was to bring nature into places where there is little to no natural light such as the basement. The old Homes for Good administrative building was located next to a park, and one thing that staff said they would miss was the connection to nature and being able to walk in the park.
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Collaboration To Honor the Eugene Public Library
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In addition to the nature scenes, there is a special graphic in the lobby, dedicated to the Old Eugene Library. Homes for Good's new administration building was originally built as the second home of the Eugene Public Library. It is poetic in a way, that the building has come full circle in becoming once again a hub for public service. The image is called, "A Visual Ode to the Old Eugene Public Library." The use of the word "Ode"-- a form of lyrical poetry, in which poets expresses their noble and lofty sentiments-- is fitting as it encompasses both this poetic idea of the building coming full circle, and the manner in which the selected images express the sentiment of nostalgia. The idea of "An Ode to the Old Eugene Public Library" came early in the process of deciding artwork. A group of staff, many of whom remember going to the building earlier in their lives, expressed interest in honoring the building in such a way. This began a collaborative process to find historic imagery of the Old Eugene Library building. In partnership with the Eugene Public Library, and the Lane County Historic Museum, two images were selected as a collage to honor the Public Library. The first image is a scanned copy of the dedication program for the library building. The program features an architectural drawing of the building, and a list of project partners. The second image is a digitization of a film slide held by the Lane County Historic Museum. It features unidentified persons at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Old Eugene Library Building. The images were selected for both their value in documenting the life and history of the building, but also the connection to the work and future of Homes for Good as a developer of affordable housing in Lane County. As Homes for Good continues to develop affordable housing, we will continue to break ground, and dedicate buildings, just as these images portray. The two visual elements come together to represent both the past and the future in creating opportunities for persons in Lane County, providing essential resources.
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The graphics are just one element of the artwork that will be going in the new admin building. Other artistic elements include a resident art installation, and staff art installations. Many staff have been working on painting and drawing our properties. Each of our properties will be depicted on a square canvas inside a circle by different staff and will be displayed in our main lobby. This is an opportunity for staff do contribute to the space. Since we as an agency are moving from closed individual offices, to an open floor plan, we wanted to give staff the opportunity to create pieces for the building since they will not be able to have large paintings or drawings in their new workspace like they once were.
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Our Resident Services team has been working on outreach for the resident art installation. They have hosted multiple workshops at Public housing and Affordable housing sites where residents have created a piece based on the idea of "Home," as “Home” is our focus in our service. Our mission statement says, "we are neighbors united to get every Lane County resident who needs help, into a home." We understand that "Home" encompasses more than just a roof over someone's head, or a physical structure, but is a feeling and a place of comfort and belonging. These feelings are what residents portrayed in their pieces. The theme of "Home" allows for individual interpretation, which brings variety to the installation, reflecting the variety of people that Homes for Good serves in our programs. Currently all resident events and gathering have been canceled due to COVID-19 precautions, but Resident Services will continue this outreach when we are able to have events with residents again.
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"What Home Means to Me" Poster Contest
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As part of NAHRO's Housing America campaign, a poster contest is held each year for children residing in affordable housing and community developments owned or administered by NAHRO member agencies. Posters reflect the national theme of “What Home Means to Me.” The contest is a collaborative effort of NAHRO’s chapter/state, regional, and national organizations. National honorees are selected from chapter/state-level winning entries.
To Download the Application and Contest Rules
CLICK HERE
All Submissions need to be mailed to the Service Office by May 27, 2020
NAHRO will not accept submissions from individual housing authorities. Any submissions sent directly to NAHRO will be disqualified.
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Communities Look for Heroes to Help House the Vulnerable
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$30 million grant allows counties to work with hotels to provide housing during COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Healthy order
OLYMPIA, WA – Hotel owners across Washington may have an opportunity to help their communities and fill empty rooms, thanks to a $30-million state emergency housing grant from the state Department of Commerce.
The funds are available to local governments and non-profit organizations in communities – not directly to the private businesses. Communities will work with hotel owners to provide necessary rooms and services for alternative care sites during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is an opportunity to assist hotels struggling with lower demand and help people who need an alternative housing option during this emergency,” said Lisa Brown, Commerce Director. “Businesses can be some of the true heroes in this crisis, strengthening communities by providing housing for first responders, medical personnel and others needing a place to stay during the pandemic.”
The funding will help counties meet expected sheltering needs necessitated by statewide social distancing orders. Existing shelters were already operating at capacity before the emergency rules took effect.
“We knew that to keep people safely separated, we were going to run into a situation where there just wasn’t enough capacity in the system,” said Kathy Kinard, grant program manager. “This grant will open up more shelter opportunities across the state immediately.”
Benton County Human Services Manager Kyle Sullivan accessed some of the grant money to reserve 21 hotel beds from A-1 Hospitality Group for those in need of an emergency shelter. He is also partnering with a local taxi service to help people get to the facility even if they need wheelchair service.
“This is the kind of partnership and creativity that we need – this truly makes a difference in this time of crisis,” Brown said.
Hotel owners interested in partnering with counties to house people during the crisis can
use this contact list
to call county staff immediately.
COVID-19 Emergency Housing Grants to Counties Information
Funding from this grant is to address the COVID19 outbreak-related public health needs of people experiencing homelessness or otherwise in need of quarantine or isolation.
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Did you Know? Coronavirus COVID-19 Reality
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All but 1 U.S. states have reported a coronavirus case
As of late Monday, West Virginia was the only state that has not reported a coronavirus case. But the state was also among the last to gain the ability to test for the virus that causes COVID-19 — reflecting a wider problem in the U.S., where the rollout of a national testing system has been slowed by critical problems at the federal level.
Like many other states, West Virginia's public lab is now being bolstered by the testing efforts of commercial laboratories and some hospitals.
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Check Your Balance: Coronavirus Stimulus Money Starts to Flow Into Bank Accounts
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The IRS tweeted Saturday that payments to qualifying Americans with direct deposit accounts set up had begun to receive their coronavirus relief payment
”
Americans are starting to receive their cash payments via direct deposits, part of the
$2 trillion
bill passed by Congress to stimulate the economy after the decline caused by the
pandemic
.
“#IRS deposited the first Economic Impact Payments into taxpayers’ bank accounts today. We know many people are anxious to get their payments; we’ll continue issuing them as fast as we can,” the IRS tweeted on Saturday.
Numerous Twitter users also posted on Saturday that they had received a deposit.
The Treasury Department said
that about 80 million Americans will get their coronavirus payments this week, and a “large majority” of eligible Americans will get them within the next two weeks.
For those who do not have direct deposit information registered with the IRS, it
could take months
for checks to be mailed. To mitigate the backlog, the IRS is expected to launch later this week a new web portal, called "Get My Payment," where Americans can check the status of their payment. The tool will include a feature where you can enter your bank account information so that if the IRS doesn’t have it from your 2018 or 2019 refund, you can still get the payment direct deposited.
Americans who made less than $75,000 in 2019 will be
eligible
for the full payment of $1,200. Couples who filed jointly and made less than $150,000 will get $2,400. An individual who filed as "head of household" and earned $112,500 or less gets $1,200.
For every child in the household, an additional $500 will be paid.
For those that made more than $75,000, payments will be reduced by $5 for every $100 of income that exceeds the limits. The payment decreases to zero for an individual making $99,000 or more or a couple making $198,000 or more.
The maximum payment for a family of four is $3,400. The payment will not be taxed.
Owing back taxes or other debt to the government does not disqualify a person from being eligible for the payments. However, Americans who are overdue on
child support
could see their cash payments reduced or eliminated.
The CARES Act that authorized the direct payments only approved a one-time deposit. But additional legislation could be passed in the future.
President Donald Trump has said that he "likes the concept" of a second round of payments and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said on CNN last month that "we think we'll get more direct payments in another bill," suggesting that Congress could revisit the issue.
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Keynote Speaker, Eric Bailey, Offers Introducing the Cure for Stupidity Virtual Book Club
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For those who have his book or are looking for a good book to read during this COVID-19 pandemic, I highly recommend you read "The Cure for Stupidity" by Eric Bailey; one of our Keynote Speakers at the upcoming PNRC NAHRO Annual Conference.
Free weekly conversations with me about The Cure for Stupidity and The Principles of Human Understanding. Plus an opportunity to ask some questions about leadership and communication.
Wednesdays at 12 P.M. Pacific
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More Trainings Provided by NAHRO
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April 22: HCV Homeownership Calculation
Determine family eligibility, review verification requirements!
April 23: Introduction to Salary Studies
Ensure your agency's compliance with HUD requirements.
April 29: Leadership Development
Learn how to handle a crisis, manage stress and become a stronger leader!
May 13-14: Strategic Planning
Get a step closer to becomng NAHRO certified!
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Pacific Northwest Regional Chapter of NAHRO
pnrcnahro.org
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