Multifamily Housing Information

​GUIDELINES FOR REOPENING AMERICA
Yesterday the President hosted a call with the nation’s governors, discussing a framework for reopening America.  Following that, during the evening’s press conference, the President and his Task Force unveiled Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, a three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts. 
 
Other resources from the press conference include a fact sheet and for your convenience, attached to this email are the slides used in today’s briefing outlining the guidelines. 

Click here to download the presentation slides.

​CBRE SURVEY RESULTS FOR COVID-19 SURVEY IN APRIL 2020
Courtesy of CBRE
Click here to see the full results.

​NAA AND LEASELOCK RELEASE INFO ABOUT RENTER RELIEF PROGRAMS
Courtesy of NAA and Leaselock
With May being just two weeks away, LeaseLock has released info about renter relief programs established by many of the nation’s largest property management companies. See report here.

​NAA CREATES PROMOTIONAL PIECES TO BREAK DOWN A DOLLAR OF RENT
Courtesy of the National Apartment Association
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 resources for affiliates to use to help explain the breakdown of $1 of rent: an explanatory video and companion infographic breaking down a dollar of rent into its component parts.

There are several points to make in your conversations with policymakers and your community to help them understand the importance of rent payments:

1. To counter conversations centered on rent freezes and rent strikes; to argue against the perception that owners are greedy and are unconcerned about their residents, and to reinforce that the wider community benefits from rents being paid on time and in full, to include how property taxes finance the needs of the community; investors in apartments include public pensions and 401(k)s, on which many Americans rely for their own retirement.
2. With one-third of renters paying partial or no rent in April, and as unemployment increases, it’s reasonable to expect that this number will rise. In addition to encouraging members to work with their residents on payment plans, it will be to continue to reinforce that the local community and society at-large are beneficiaries of rent payments.
3. The portion of rent for payroll includes onsite professionals who are always essential workers, more so amid the uniquely challenging environment presented by COVID-19. Apartment residents will suffer if ongoing maintenance, emergency repairs, resident engagement efforts and other critical onsite functions decline or cease.
4. To reinforce the need for residents who are otherwise financially unaffected to continue to pay rent on time and in full; to join for calls to withhold rent ultimately harms the entire community.
5. With roughly two-thirds of apartment mortgages backed by private lenders, and therefore ineligible for mortgage forbearance via the CARES Act; mortgage defaults for small- and mid-size portfolios jeopardize the housing of all residents and the future of the industry (as well as terminating investments in bonds backed by those mortgages). With so many small businesses operating rental housing, their futures depend on socializing this information.

If you need any assistance at all, whether it be talking points, technical assistance or any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mark Franks at the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Apartment Association.

​CLEANING AND DISINFECTING YOUR FACILITY
Everyday Steps, Steps When Someone is Sick, and Considerations for Employees

​ADVISORY MEMO ON IDENTIFICATION OF ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKERS DURING COVID-19 RESPONSE
As the nation comes together to slow the spread of Covid-19, on March 16, the president issued updated Coronavirus Guidance for America that highlighted the importance of the critical infrastructure workforce. Click here to see the memo and please note the top of page 15 for help in clarification on which services and employees are essential.


ESSENTIAL BUSINESS?
Everyone has been asking questions recently like, “Am I in an essential business?”  and of course, “Am I an essential employee?”  Well for those involved in Housing, the answer is YES! Think back to college and the discussion of Maslow’s Hierarchy.  At the very base, the beginning of needs, is food and shelter.  So to all those providing housing, YOU ARE ESSENTIAL. What is often overlooked, is that those providing products and services to housing are also essential!  Apartment Association members, welcome to front and center of the priority list with food and medical.
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How do we know? Please review Governor DeWine’s Stay-At-Home-Order from March 22nd.  Item 9 “Essential Infrastructure” the terms “building management and maintenance” are used to reference the need for ALL buildings to be maintained.  Yes, commercial and residential.  The consequences of not doing so could be catastrophic.  Additionally, under section 12 K “Critical Trades” copied below, commercial property and residential operations and maintenance are exempted specifically. 

“Building and Construction Tradesmen and Tradeswomen, and other trades including but not limited to plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and government properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities and Essential Businesses and Operations.”

I am told this is consistent with Federal guidelines around emergency operations.  Through all of this, please keep in mind, with the Governor’s Order specifically, to the extent feasible, utilize social distancing precautions.  This may mean limited hours, appointments rather than walk-ins, and emergency focus on maintenance repairs.  But they are to continue.  Be safe, and try to follow the spirit of the law as much as the letter of the law. The Governor knows that human interaction is not always possible at 6’ distances, but the goal is to minimize the spread of Covid-19.  

Please allow tele-work as much as possible and minimize travel to that which is necessary – understanding that maintaining our responsibilities to our residents is essential. You are essential.

​Thank you for what you do!

Be safe out there and take care.  


WHAT IS INCLUDED IN "ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE" AND ESSENTIAL "BUSINESSES AND SERVICES?"
The Department of Homeland Security, which provides guidance on the "Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce,” has developed an initial list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers.” Click here to learn more and view the list.

• View “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” details for Ohio
• View “List of life-sustaining retail businesses" for Kentucky

COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS FOR APARTMENT FIRMS
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is currently monitoring a rapidly evolving outbreak of coronavirus, (COVID-19), which is causing respiratory illness in populations across the globe, including in the U.S. The CDC and the World Health Organization have now designated the outbreak as a pandemic.

As cases of the novel coronavirus, (COVID-19) spread across the country, apartment firms need to prepare for potential impact to their communities and to address employee and resident concerns of potential exposure at their properties or workplaces. They also need to take measures to help stop the spread of the virus.

To help them do that, NMHC has compiled an overview of suggested apartment owner preparations and considerations. NMHC recognizes that the broad array of company types, sizes and geographic locations that make up the apartment industry discourages a one-size-fits-all approach to planning.

Also note that this overview is not to be construed as legal guidance. Instead, it is meant to be a starting point for your company-specific plan. We encourage firms to seek expert consultation in the development of their plan to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Given the fast nature evolution of this situation, NMHC encourages firms to monitor our “Coronavirus Resources for Apartment Firms” landing page, which includes links to resources from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Department of Labor (DOL), Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Housing and Urban Development and other organizations. We strongly recommend regularly visiting these sites for the latest news on this outbreak.

We also recommend firms sign up for NMHC’s Emergency Preparedness Listserv to both ask questions and learn from what other firms are sharing. More information is available here.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HERE.


NAA UPDATE AND FAQS
The National Apartment Association recently did a webinar with the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). Click here to see link to the FAQs from the webinar as well as here for an updated as needed link to the COVID-19 information on the NAA website.


SUMMARY OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Some suggested Best Management Practices:

1. Build in redundancy – make sure multiple people can handle situations based upon your organizational size in case of sickness or quarantine.
2. For Residents: make payment agreements with those who cannot pay, similar to when the government shutdown occurred.
3. Sanitizing: consider focused efforts on cleaning handrails and doorknobs (high touch areas).
4. Leasing: minimize interactions with applicants and residents.
   1. Consider virtual tours and interviews. 
   2. Utilize Skype, Zoom, Facetime, etc.
   3. Allow residents to notify management of sickness or self-quarantining.
5. Maintenance: Minimize being inside units.
   1. Limit unit entry to emergency repairs.
   2. Focus on common area repairs.
   3. Communicate with residents on the definition of emergency.
6. Community Rooms and centers: with limits being set by health professional for the number of people gathered, seriously consider if the rooms should be open at all.
7. Move-ins move outs.  With fair housing in mind, set your policy and stick to it.  
8. Increased deliveries – now is the time to support non-interactive deliveries, be aware of those who may have difficulty in retrieving packages.
9. Communicate with residents and staff!   Especially about reduced office/staff hours.
10. Staff: make health a priority- cleaning, and not coming to work if sick or exposed.

 
Above all: please follow CDC, federal, state, and local guidance, including posting signage as to what you are doing, and where people can get more information.
Along those lines, please consider:
            Apply for Small Business Administration loans if needed, or at least get on their radar.
            Review your disaster preparedness plan, update accordingly with home and cell numbers.
            Be prepared for text and email, as phone circuits may become overloaded.
            Many cities are moving to a triage process for inspections, with federal inspections suspended.
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SAMPLE POLICY LETTER TO RESIDENTS
This is a sample policy letter to use for concerned residents. Please adapt to your individual use but always consult with your legal team.


PROPER USAGE OF THE N95 MASKS
If you or staff are going to the point of utilizing N95 masks, please review the following information to do so properly.

RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYEES AND RESIDENTS
Stay Calm and Carry On: COVID-19 Recommendations for Property Managers by Elaine Simpson
What To Do If Your Resident is Exposed to COVID-19 from the National Apartment Association
Until Further Notice by Elaine Simpson
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Resources
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