COMMITTEE UPDATED ON THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS PROGRAM, AND ENFORCEMENT IN HOUSING
ST. THOMAS- Members of the Committee on Housing, Transportation, and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Marvin A. Blyden, convened in a meeting at the Capitol Building. Lawmakers received testimony from officials from the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) on the status of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, the First-time Homebuyers’ Program, and the administration and enforcement of the V.I. Housing Code.
2022-07-27 15:48:18 - VI News Staff
Senator Blyden stated that in the aftermath of the state of emergency and with the expiration of the eviction moratorium, it is necessary to be updated on the status of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) program as it begins to move toward completion. Furthermore, Senator Blyden mentioned that the Authority will update policymakers on the status of the First-Time Homebuyers’ Program and about how we can move to begin carrying out the Authority’s responsibilities in regard to the enforcement of housing standards in the Virgin Islands.
Pertaining to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Dayna Clendinen, Interim Executive Director and Chief Disaster Recovery Officer of the V.I. Housing Finance Authority, noted that in March 2021, VIHFA received $21.3 million and allocated the funds to pay 479 households an estimated $4 million in direct and indirect assistance. The funds were appropriated to VIHFA by the 33rd Legislature from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund. Senator Novelle Francis asked if administrative costs are included in the $4 million. Valdez Shelford, Chief Financial Officer, mentioned that out of $4 million, a total of $615,000 is appropriated for administrative costs. Clendinen added that VIHFA offers secondary financing up to $250,000 for first-time homebuyers, out of the $4 million. Chairman Blyden expressed his serious concern at the fact that of the $21.3 million received, over $16 million had to be returned to the federal government. Blyden and other senators urged the Authority to be more aggressive and creative in making sure that we maximize the use of federal dollars to assist our residents. “It is unacceptable to have federal dollars going back while there are still people facing eviction that need assistance,” the Democratic senator said. Separately, Senator Dwayne DeGraff queried the challenges facing the department. In response, Clendinen indicated that due to the lack of staff, it takes a longer time to process applications, some applicants submit incomplete applications which delay the process, and the Treasury has restrictions on the use of funds.