January 07, 2021

The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) installed electricity in 713 homes in the Navajo Nation using Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds. NTUA is also undertaking other CARES Act–funded projects, including improvements to water cistern systems, residential solar unit installations, wastewater systems, and increasing wireless and broadband capacity. “NTUA has gone above and beyond through the incredible hard work from the management level to the work crews that have spent many hours away from their families over the last several months to complete projects in many communities on the Navajo Nation,” said Navajo Nation president Jonathan Nez.

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development hopes to identify alternative options to security deposit requirements, which present a barrier for many New Yorkers trying to access affordable housing. New options for renters wouldn’t reduce the amount paid to landlords. Critics worry alternatives could leave renters more vulnerable to deceptive practices. “Insurance companies and landlords should not be using these products to circumvent the intent of the law,” said state senator Brian Kavanagh.

The San Francisco Public Health Department is considering canceling its biennial Point in Time Homeless Count because of the pandemic. The last count in 2019 identified a 17 percent increase in homelessness from the count two years before. The tally shows how many and what types of resources are needed to address the crisis and provides important demographic data. “It’s simply too big of a risk to be taking during a surge,” said Kelley Cutler, a member of the Local Homeless Coordinating Board.

Amazon is creating a $2 billion housing equity fund to demonstrate its commitment to affordable housing in three cities where it will have at least 5,000 employees in the coming years: Washington State’s Puget Sound region; Arlington, Virginia; and Nashville, Tennessee. The fund will provide below-market loans, lines of credit, and grants to preserve and create 20,000 units of affordable housing. It will also provide $125 million in cash grants to businesses, nonprofits, and minority-led organizations to promote inclusive solutions to help communities of color.