Public Housing Agencies’ Experiences and Challenges Regarding the Administration of HUD’s CARES Act Funds

We conducted a limited review of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act supplemental public housing operating funds (supplemental funds). Our objective was to assess public housing agencies’ (PHA) experiences and challenges and HUD’s efforts in providing guidance related to the administration of the supplemental operating funds under the CARES Act. We found that the PHA survey respondents generally cited positive experiences and no major challenges related to the administration of supplemental funds under the CARES Act. Although there are no recommendations in this memorandum, we provided two key considerations for HUD. HUD should consider continuing to Keep the lines of communication open with PHAs to (1) clarify guidance when warranted and (2) ensure that the PHAs know how to properly use the reporting portal, once it is functional, to meet the quarterly reporting requirements. Monitor the PHAs that are slow in drawing down supplemental funds and offer assistance as applicable to ensure that funds are spent by the deadline of December 31, 2021.