Emergency Housing Policy FAQs

  • Can you detail what you will require to have in the file (assuming management will want to run screening as usual)?

    The Download this pdf file. Temporary Emergency Housing Lease Addendum and Download this pdf file. VAWA form will need to be in each file for displaced individuals. If the household qualifies at the LIHTC limits, a complete file will need to be created.

  • Does the emergency housing relief apply to buildings just placed in service and in first year credit? On a vacant unit not yet qualified?

    Yes, you can house displaced individuals in previously qualified vacant units. However, any displaced individual housed in a previously vacant never-qualified unit, the unit will not be considered a qualified LIHTC household to satisfy the set-aside or minimum fraction. The unit holds the previous status unless the household qualifies as a LIHTC household under the applicable limits. 

  • Can a lease of less than 6 months be signed for these households if management and resident choose? Also, what documentation is required to prove they were from an impacted county. Is a self-certification ok?

    Yes, the leases for these households can be less than 6 months. The displaced individual will need to complete the Download this pdf file. Temporary Emergency Housing Lease Addendum self-certifying their principal residence is in one of the impacted areas and they qualify for individual assistance with FEMA.

     

  • How would this be transmitted for the Emphasys portal when uploading tenant data each month to Georgia DCA?

    The tenant information needs to be uploaded to Emphasys. It’s important that the unit/tenant is marked as ‘Displaced Individual’ under the Special Population drop down.  Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] if you have any additional questions concerning Emphasys.

  • What is required as proof of the household displacement?

    The displaced tenant will need to complete the Download this pdf file. Temporary Emergency Housing Lease Addendum self-certifying their principal residence is in one of the impacted areas and they qualify for individual assistance with FEMA.

     

  • Rent must still be restricted to LIHTC max, correct?

    Yes, the LIHTC rent restrictions will be enforced.

  • Is the addendum/documentation for compliance available online for us now?

    Yes, the addendum and documentation can be found on the Notification to Provide Emergency Housing Relief page.

  • What happens if displaced individuals complete a one-year term?

    The displaced individuals can either apply to be qualified for a LIHTC unit or they must vacate the unit by the end of the temporary housing period.

  • Will displaced individuals be required to sign a lease agreement?

    DCA requires a signed Download this pdf file. Temporary Emergency Housing Lease Addendum.

     

  • Is this just for LIHTC, or does this also apply to a unit that has a HOME layer?

    Yes, this is specifically for LIHTC projects.

  • What is the disaster date and what would be the latest date they can live in the unit without being qualified?

    There can be different declaration dates depending on the county. There’s no blanket deadline, although all displaced individuals must have vacated the unit by 10/17/2025. The original Declaration was declared on 10/1/2024.

  • Are funds available if the unit is damaged during the stay?

    No, property managers will continue to utilize their existing avenues and remedies for damages. You can also collect deposits from displaced households.

  • Do displaced individuals have to provide anything stating they were displaced or show proof that they are from a county that was impacted?

    This is the due diligence of the property manager/owner to ensure the prospective tenant meets the criteria outlined in the policy. The lease addendum will also ask for the principal address which should match one of the impacted counties.

  • If the property has an age restriction of 62 does this get waived as well?

    It is the due diligence of the property manager/owner to ensure the prospective tenant meets the criteria outlined in the policy as well as their internal policies.

  • Is this opportunity only for GA residents? I know there were a lot of displaced residents in TN and NC as well?

    This opportunity is for any individuals displaced from Presidential Declared Disasters.