Latest Covid-19 Updates
Updated August 3
August 3 Update
July 3 Update - NAA COVID-19 Impact Survey
During this unprecedented health crisis, the rental housing industry has been asked to play a greater role in the lives of residents and the overall community. The industry has stepped up and met the challenge of countless residents sheltering in place due to government-imposed restrictions to curb the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, the government has also imposed unfunded mandates that have restricted the industry’s ability to operate and manage communities, as well as recover cost – the combination of which threatens the viability of many in the industry.
Your participation in this survey is needed to quantify the impact of these policies. The information you provide will be instructive in creating policies that balance the interest of both residents and the industry in addressing the future housing challenges associated with the ongoing health crisis.
Click here to complete the Industry Rent Roll Survey!
May 15 Update - Best Practices for Reopening Post COVID-19
Earlier this week, the Atlanta and Georgia Apartment Association Government Affairs team requested relief and clarification around re-opening apartment community amenities from Governor Kemp’s Office. As he has done throughout this crisis, the Governor heard our concerns and provided a path forward through amending the new guidelines for fitness centers to exempt facilities that do not have full-time staff from the specific guidelines that require onsite employee monitoring and enforcement.
The information in this document is a compilation of the thought leaders in our market today. It is general in nature and not intended to serve as legal advice, and may not be applicable to the specific fact circumstances for all owners and managers. For specific legal advice, please consult your attorney.
April 30 Update - State of Emergency Extended
On April 30th, Governor Kemp signed an updated Executive Order.
April 28 Update - COVID-19 Dashboard
Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Dashboard
April 21 Update - Governor Kemp's Executive Order
On April 20th, Governor Kemp signed an updated Executive Order.
April 14 Update - The Breakdown of $1 of Rent!
Because there exists a misconception that rental housing owners enjoy large margins and can continue operating in the absence of rent payments, and with so much discussion around rents during COVID-19, NAA has released a few resources.
Click here to view NAA's infographic breaking down $1 of rent!
April 13 Update - NAA Call to Action & Rent Collections Best Practices!
The COVID-19 outbreak is an enormous challenge to our communities and our nation. While Congress enacted far-reaching measures in response to the crisis, more needs to be done. Congress needs to pass additional relief measures for the rental housing industry and address a number of concerns in the recently passed CARES Act.
Contact your Member of Congress and demand Congress protect apartment communities!
Congress needs to:
- Create an emergency rental assistance program for those who are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and struggle to cover housing expenses.
- Better tailor the CARES Act eviction moratorium provision and safeguard owners’ ability to effectively manage their communities.
- Allow more housing providers access to mortgage forbearance and ensure fairness and flexibility in its terms.
- Provide financial assistance for property-level financial obligations such as property taxes or insurance payments and extend credit to multifamily mortgage servicers.
- Expand the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program to include all multifamily businesses.
There are tens of thousands of rental housing owners, operators and property management firms. NAA is undertaking this effort as part of a broad coalition of rental housing providers representing the entire industry. If all of us make our voices heard, we can secure the relief that is desperately needed. For more information, click here.
Click here to log in and send your message!
NAA released a Rent Collections Best Practices document amid COVID-19.
April 8 Update - U.S. Small Business Administration Resources
April 3 Update - State-Wide Shelter-In-Place Order
March 28 Update - Federal Government Updates Guidance on Essential Workers During COVID-19
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, issued an “Advisory Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response.” The memorandum contains an updated “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce” advisory list that identifies workers who perform operations and services essential to protecting state and local communities and ensuring continuity in critical functions. On page 15, the guidance calls out “Residential/Shelter Facilities and Services”.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ADVISORY MEMORANDUm
The Georgia Apartment Association presents the following resources to assist our members with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We offer these to the membership in order to help you understand the current situation and how it translates to our industry. This information will be updated as more information comes available.
How is Multi-family Development Activity Impacted?
Ongoing Construction has been deemed “Essential” activity and construction crews are permitted to continue work under the City of Atlanta’s current “Stay-in-Place” order.
Governor Kemp issued an Executive Order allowing for private third party inspections and plan review to be utilized during this Public Health Emergency, to prevent and mitigate project delays due to limited local government staff capacity during this time. This order was amended by the Governor on March 30th to allow high-rise construction to utilize private third party inspectors and plan reviewers as well.
LIST OF QUALIFIED THIRD-PARTY ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE FIRMS
National Apartment Association
The National Apartment Association (NAA) has released guidance for the rental housing industry on its website.
Industry Guidance
Latest updates regarding eviction proceedings during the COVID-19 crisis, last updated April 8, 2020.
Eviction Proceedings During COVID-19
On April 3rd, Mike Williams, Managing Attorney, FHC&W along with NAA's Greg Brown presented on the CARES Act & the State of Evictions.
Please continue to visit this page as new information will be added as appropriate.