LaFHAC is working to stay on top of information regarding COVID-19 as Louisiana learns more about the virus and what public health precautions mean for Louisiana residents. Below are some resources that may be helpful if you’re worried about your housing due to COVID-19 restrictions and closures.

FOR HOMEOWNERS:

• Sales of foreclosed properties have been suspended across Louisiana until at least April 30th.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has suspended foreclosures and evictions from Enterprise-backed mortgages such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA loans. All financial institutions are being encouraged to offer forbearance plans to their customers. You can see which institutions are offering relief to consumers here: www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/03/12/list-of-banks-offering-relief-to-customers-affected-by-coronavirus/#306a473ee3d1

If you are a homeowner in Louisiana and are worried about losing your home, please contact LaFHAC’s Homeownership Protection Director Brad Hellman: bhellman@lafairhousing.org.

FOR RENTERS:

• Eviction courts across Louisiana have been suspended until at least June 15th.

If you are currently being evicted illegally or locked out, call Southeast Louisiana Legal Services for free help at (504) 529-1000 ext 223

The City of New Orleans in partnership with Total Community Action is offering rental assistance to workers that have been impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.  The program which will begin on April 1, 2020, will be open strictly to Orleans Parish residents who are not getting paid by their employers or are not receiving rental assistance through other organizations.  Applicants will be required to provide documentation of their hardship. Funds are extremely limited, find out more information at: www.ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/city-of-new-orleans-covid-19-rental-assistance-pro/

Orleans Parish residents who are at immediate risk of losing their home may qualify for emergency homelessness prevention. To see if you qualify, call the Office of Community Development at (504) 658-4200.

To learn more about court closures and assistance for those experiencing hardship due to COVID-19 in Orleans Parish, go to https://ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/resources/. For Baton Rouge residents, visit https://www.brla.gov/2151/COVID-19-Novel-Coronavirus-Information. For statewide information about the pandemic, visit http://ldh.la.gov/Coronavirus/.

If your family is living in a motel or hotel, the motel cannot put you out during a public health emergency, even if you can’t pay fees right now due to COVID-19. LA Revised Statute § 21:76 says that a hotel or motel cannot put you out “in case of serious medical emergency requiring the continued use of the room or campsite.” In addition, the Governor’s proclamation suspends all legal deadlines, including the legal deadline to leave a hotel or motel after notice. If the motel or hotel where you are living threatens to put you out, please call (504) 529-1000 x.223 immediately for free legal assistance.

LaFHAC is not currently conducting in-person intakes; however, if you believe you have experienced discrimination, our staff is available to assist. Please contact us at (877) 445-2100, (504) 596-2100, or info@lafairhousing.org.

Updated 6/9/20