fyi From: "Kelley, Craig" <ckelley@cambridgema.gov> Date: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 6:53 PM Subject: FW: Question Re Government Shut Down Hey Everyone: I thought you might be interested in this update from CHA’s Mike Johnston on the Housing Authority’s ability to, at least for a few months, cover gaps in HUD funding. The Council has asked the Manager for an explanation of how the City might be able to fill in gaps in a variety of federal funding programs, from SNAP benefits to housing and beyond, but I can’t say anything with confidence except that we’ll do what we legally can to help people in need. What that will look like in reality, if the shutdown continues, I really don’t know. Good luck to all of us. This is an abysmal place for any government to be Craig All emails to and from this City address should be considered to be subject to Massachusetts’s Public Records laws. To be removed from this list, click here. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in it. Also, I have scheduled office hours in Central Square on Monday’s from 1-3 PM and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 AM, but please email CKelley@Cambridgema.gov before coming to confirm before showing up. From: Mike Johnston <mjjohnston@cambridge-housing.org> Sent: Monday, January 7, 2019 1:44 PM To: Alpert, Neal <nalpert@cambridgema.gov>; Brenda Downing <bdowning@cambridge-housing.org>; Kelley, Craig <ckelley@cambridgema.gov>; Carlone, Dennis <dcarlone@cambridgema.gov>; Toomey, Tim <ttoomey@CambridgeMA.GOV>; Mallon, Alanna <amallon@Cambridgema.gov>; McGovern, Marc <mmcGovern@cambridgema.gov>; Zondervan, Quinton <qzondervan@Cambridgema.gov>; Devereux, Jan <jdevereux@cambridgema.gov>; Siddiqui, Sumbul <ssiddiqui@Cambridgema.gov>; Simmons, Denise <dsimmons@cambridgema.gov>; City Manager <CityManager@Cambridgema.gov> Subject: Re: Question Re Government Shut Down Hi Neal, I hope you don't mind that I have added others to this response to assure that everyone has the same information as I am sure others are getting a lot of the same questions. First, the CHA did receive January's Housing Assistance Payment for the voucher program from HUD's secure systems that we still have access to. This means that everything for January was business as usual for the CHA. Landlords were paid on time and there was no interruption. Second, for February, HUD already has sufficient funds appropriated to once again keep things rolling. The Secretary has told the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities in DC that HUD staff will be required to come in to assure that the appropriated funds are made available to all housing authorities for February so again, no interruption. Third, if this shutdown continues past February, HUD has not informed us if there is sufficient funds appropriated to continue the transfer of funds. However, as I reported to my Board, the CHA will be able to keep paying landlords for another 60 days if needed. I hope this helps. mjj Michael J. Johnston, Esq. | Executive Director 362 Green Street, 3rd Floor 1-617-520-6228 | www.cambridge-housing.org From: Alpert, Neal <nalpert@cambridgema.gov> Sent: Monday, January 7, 2019 12:46:28 PM To: Mike Johnston; Brenda Downing Cc: Simmons, Denise Subject: Question Re Government Shut Down Hi Mike and Brenda, Happy Monday to you. We have started to receive some questions from constituents who are anxious over the government shut down, and who are particularly concerned as to how this may impact things like subsidized housing and other benefits. We are going to be meeting later this week with our regular “Senior Advisory Group” and I thought it might be a good idea for us to start getting some facts in front of them, to curb fear and rumors from getting out of control. That said – do you have any information you could share as to how a prolonged government shut down might impact those who are living in CHA buildings? Are federal funds withheld from housing authorities during shutdowns like this? And for those residents who are relying upon government assistance to pay for their housing, are there any actions tenants must take in order to prevent the shutdown from snowballing into something that threatens their tenancy? Thanks, as always, for your assistance. Best, Neal Neal Alpert, Council Aide Office of City Councilor E. Denise Simmons Cambridge City Hall 795 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA, 02139 Tel: 617.349.4280 Fax: 617.349.4287 nalpert@cambridgema.gov Follow Councilor Simmons on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/E_DeniseSimmons This message is confidential. It may also be privileged or otherwise protected by work product immunity or other legal rules. If you have received it by mistake, please let us know by e-mail reply and delete it from your system; you may not copy this message or disclose its contents to anyone. 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