CDC Outlines Masking Guidance The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its masking guidance. CDC recommends that people should wear masks in the following scenarios: - When indoors in public, if in areas of high local transmission or if not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines
- When outdoors in close contact with other people (in areas of high local transmission), especially considering people with weakened immune systems or increased risk of disease or not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines
- If a person has a weakened immune system, even if up to date on COVID-19 vaccines
- On any form of public transportation
Tax Credit Information for HUD Assisted Individuals and Families The Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) are large tax refund payments that people can receive when they file a tax return. The 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP) expanded who can receive these payments and increased the amount of money available to many families and individuals. These tax credits are not income. Receiving these benefits will not impact eligibility for other federal benefits. The best way to receive these benefits is to file a tax return before April 18, 2022. Service providers can support their clients in receiving these tax credits by: - Making sure clients are aware of the credits. See the IRS Toolkit, one pagers and flyers for more information on both tax credits and easy to share resources.
- Connecting clients to free tax filing support online or via IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program centers.
Child Tax Credit The CTC was increased and expanded in 2021 by the ARP, and most families are eligible to receive the credit for their children. For families with children, the 2021 CTC is $3,000-$3,600 per kid, based on their age. Many families received about ½ of their CTC in monthly payments in 2021. Families will get the rest of the CTC they are owed by filing taxes this year. Earned Income Tax Credit This year, for the first time, the EITC can be worth up to $1,500 for some workers without children at home. Additionally, through the ARP, previously excluded young and older workers are eligible for this credit. Qualified youth experiencing homelessness and former foster youth can receive EITC even if they are full-time students. Even people who didn't earn enough to be required to file taxes are eligible for the CTC and potentially thousands of additional dollars in benefits by filing a 2021 tax return. Help spread the word by telling your friends, family, clients, colleagues, and neighbors to visit ChildTaxCredit.gov to learn more on how to get the CTC and/or EITC. Registration Open: HAF Training Webinar HUD's Office of Housing Counseling will be joined by Treasury, FHA, and CFPB to discuss the Homeowner Assistance Fund, the status of implementation, and how it can be used to address the needs of homeowners. Housing counselors and other service providers working with homeowners are encouraged to attend. This session will also feature a panel discussion including the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA). The webinar will be held on March 1, 2022 at 3:00 PM. Registration and additional information on the webinar can be found here. HHS Report Highlights ARP Role in Reduced Poverty in 2021 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a new report that highlights the economic impact of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), specifically the role ARP played in reducing poverty. Read the full news release here. Voting Guides for Homeless Services Providers and People Experiencing Homelessness The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) created the following step-by-step voting guides for homeless providers and for people experiencing homelessness. People can vote without a permanent address and homeless services providers can help through nonpartisan registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. NASCSP Winter Training Program The National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) is hosting their 2022 Winter Training Conference beginning February 28, 2022. The conference offers valuable opportunities for professionals from around the country to come together and discuss strategies for meeting new challenges in improved performance, innovation, and accountability in the fight to change the face of poverty across the nation. More information can be found here. | 
