Day: June 20, 2024

Is 2024 the Year Public Housing Finally Moves on from COVID?

While much of society has moved beyond COVID, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) continue feeling its impact.

A delay in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) disbursements in New York exasperated the issue, but now it seems that funds are moving and helping with accounts receivables. This appears to have a leveling off effect on eviction cases filed. However, other recent announcements from HUD may indicate the struggles aren’t completely in the rearview mirror.

According to New York’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, as of January 26, 2023, the number of applications for:

ERAP applications for rent arrears, prospective rent, and utility arrears: 405,605
State-Funded ERAP for Over 80 Area Median Income (AMI): 6,872
LRAP applications: 55,009

The number of applications paid May 28, 2024:

ERAP for rent arrears and prospective rent: 306,667 applications paid in the amount of $3.49 billion
ERAP for utility arrears: 121,069 applications paid in the amount of $145 million
State-Funded ERAP for Over 80 AMI: 4,404 applications paid in the amount of $50 million
LRAP: 29,792 applications paid amounting to $298 million

(To see data by county or jurisdiction, as well as demographic information, click here.)

New York’s Statewide Landlord-Tenant Eviction Dashboard indicates that as of June 17, 2024 there were over 86,000 eviction filings for the year. Monthly data indicates a potential easing; we’ll know more when June’s month-end numbers are available.

There has also been a flurry of Federal and state legislative activity that seems to go back and forth between making things easier on PHAs and more challenging.

In December 2023, HUD proposed a rule requiring a 30-day notice period prior to starting eviction proceedings related to termination of a lease.

In April 2024, the state enacted the Good Cause Eviction Law, limiting evictions, requiring lease renewals, and capping rent increases, although municipalities outside of NYC must opt in.

In April 2024, HUD published a notice to extend its 2022 adjustment for assessing Tenant Accounts Receivable (TAR) in the Public Housing Assessment System with fiscal year ends up to December 31, 2023. However, the notice also indicates “HUD intends to return to the regular scoring methodology for HUD for PHAs with fiscal years ending in 2024.”

On May 7, 2024, HUD issued a final rule on HOTMA Housing Choice Voucher and Project Based Voucher implementation that simplify and clarify existing regulatory language and reduce the burden on PHAs.

On May 14, 2024, HUD announced the renewal of funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, with over $3.3 billion going to New York Housing Authorities.

On June 14, 2024, NSPIRE V Compliance was pushed back a year to October 1, 2025.

While you’re no doubt busy keeping up with all of this activity, we just want to remind you that RBT CPAs is here to support all of your accounting, audit, advisory, and tax needs. Give us a note or drop us a line any time to find out how we can be Remarkably Better Together.

Summer Season 2024: 12 Ways to Boost Your Brewery Business

Nothing screams “summer” like a cold brew or cocktail and…

Finish that sentence with the right marketing plan, events, and special touches to make the most of the 2024 summer season.

Here are some ideas to help get you started:

If you’re bringing on the summer brew – typically a lighter 4% to 5% AC for easy drinking, pale ales, and fruit beers – have a naming contest, tasting, and launch party.
Create an outdoor seating area. Take advantage of the local view or landscape or build a space with a summer theme where people want to come, relax, and have fun.
Add music and entertainment. Feature local bands or create a summer playlist. Get guests moving with line dancing lessons. Have a weekly summer movie night – think Jaws, Caddyshack, and Dirty Dancing. Invite the local ice cream or hot dog truck to stop by periodically.
Don’t forget the games – trivia, cornhole, volleyball, and more.
Summer-up your menu. Get creative with drinks and their names. Have fun with charcuterie boards and grazing tables. Incorporate local produce into your menu. Serve drinks in small coolers and snacks in mini picnic baskets.
Update your décor to make it feel like summer. Find what works with your brand. Explore flowers, scented candles, lighting, fun seating, misting fans, tabletop firepits with smores kits, and anything Hawaiian.
Support local businesses. Incorporate local business products into your menu and décor. If you’re hosting contests, offer prizes from local businesses to build goodwill and a sense of community.
Hold a fundraiser. Pick a local cause or, even better, a couple of different ones.
Invite the dog! Whether you make it an everyday thing or a special event, allow paying customers to bring their furry friend and treat them to something on a dog-friendly menu item.
Create a club, with free tastings, a birthday drink, and even a personalized glass that can be used for discounted drinks.
Host a tour, pub crawl, brew festival, or scavenger hunt. Join together with other local brewers and restaurants to create an “experience” or “event.”
Put your feelers out for local farmers markets, community tag sales, county fairs, and other summer events that may need sponsors and vendors.

As you focus on making the most of the upcoming busy season, remember, RBT CPAs can help lighten your load by handling all of your accounting, audit, advising, and tax needs. Find out how we can be Remarkably Better Together. Give us a call or drop us a line.

RBT CPAs is proud to say 100% of its work is prepared in America. Our company does not offshore work, so you always know who is handling your confidential financial information.