Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance
The Florida Apartment Association (FAA) is committed to keeping members informed about issues that may affect you, your businesses, and your residents.
Regarding the current outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) your primary sources of information should be the Centers for Disease Control, the Florida Department of Health, or your local health department.
The National Apartment Association (NAA) is offering general, precautionary guidance from officials, along with common-sense guidelines for our industry. Therefore, we encourage you to review the information provided by the NAA here and here (PDF).
It is important to recognize that the Florida Apartment Association, the National Apartment Association, local affiliates, and individual members are not healthcare professionals or providers and these resources are provided only as general information. Please refer to the above-mentioned healthcare agencies for specific guidance.
If you are involved in a COVID-19 case with a resident, please email communications@naahq.org and include COVID-19 in the subject line.
FLORIDA HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND YOUR LOCAL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Please contact your local Health Department for information regarding COVID-19 in your area.
- Coronavirus Call Center- (866) 779-6121
- Florida Health Department's COVID-19 Resource Toolkit
- To locate and contact your local county Health Department, please click here.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Visiting Parks and Recreational Facilities
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities
EXECUTIVE ORDERS ISSUED BY GOVERNOR DESANTIS
The Florida Apartment Association has put together a list of all relevant executive orders issued by the governor regarding COVID-19. Many of these orders greatly impact the way our industry currently conducts business. FAA has also included resources to help you understand these orders and communicate them to your residents. For an explanation of all relevant orders, please click on the link below.
Please note you will have to sign in to access this resource.
FLORIDA SUPREME COURT ORDER
The Florida Supreme Court issued Order No. AOSC20-23 Amendment 5, which suspends all non-essential jury trials across the State of Florida and establishes procedures for the court during the Coronavirus public health crisis. Amendment 5 removed a previous section that allowed clerks to suspend the requirement to issue Writs of Possession.
Order No. AOSC20-23 Amendment 5
REPORT TO GOVERNOR DESANTIS FROM THE RE-OPEN FLORIDA TASK FORCE
Below you will find the report assembled by the Re-Open Florida Task Force. The Governor used this report to compile Executive Order 20-112, which establishes Florida's re-opening guidance for Phase I.
FLORIDA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION ISSUES NEW EMERGENCY RULE
On April 29th, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation issued a new emergency rule to owners and operators. Please click on the link below for an explanation of the new emergency rule.
Please note you will have to sign in to access this resource.
DBPR'S EMERGENCY ORDER
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued an order on April 30th, which extended the deadline for license, permit, registration, or certificate renewals. The order also extended the deadline for the completion of required hours for continuing education. For more information on this order, please click on the link below.
FAA's REOPENING RESOURCES AND GUIDANCE
FAA has put together a spreadsheet that outlines reopening policies across the state. FAA has also put together resources to help you navigate reopening your amenities. Please click on the link below to access these resources.
Please note you will have to sign in to access this resource.
INFORMATION REGARDING MORTGAGE FORBEARANCE
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced on March 23rd that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will offer mortgage forbearance for multifamily property owners, under the condition that they suspend all evictions for renters who are unable to pay rent because of COVID-19. This was codified and further explained in the CARES ACT. Please refer to the section below titled "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, Phase III)"
To be eligible, property owners must suspend evictions for as long as the owner remains in forbearance. Forbearance is available only for multifamily housing properties with an “Enterprise-backed performing multifamily mortgage” that is financially impacted by coronavirus. For owners who believe they qualify, contact your loan servicer to learn more about the process to seek relief.
CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) is responsible for identifying the "essential critical infrastructure workforce." The State of Florida, along with other local governments have accepted the recommendations made by CISA when determining their list of essential businesses. On March 28, CISA released a memorandum updating the list of essential services and operations. This list specifically identifies the critical roles played by residential property management staff and maintenance personnel.
US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency Memorandum
Please refer to page 15 for the guidance on "Residential/ Shelter Facilities and Services."
FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION
The Office of Multifamily Housing Programs has released a Q&A document to help multifamily industry stakeholders navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Multifamily Housing stakeholders include tenants; property managers, owners, and agents; lenders and their partners; residential service coordinators; contract administrators; and other participants in FHA Multifamily mortgage insurance and Office of Housing rental assistance programs.
Questions and Answers for Multifamily Housing Stakeholders
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DISASTER ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for small businesses in Florida suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
To access the press release letter and find out more, please click here.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
Note: The SBA announced the following statement on April 16th, "SBA is unable to accept new applications at this time for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)-COVID-19 related assistance program (including EIDL Advances) based on available appropriations funding." This announcement also includes the Paycheck Protection Program. On April 24th, Congress replenished the EIDL program and the Paycheck Protection Program.
On May 15th, the SBA released their application and instructions for how PPP borrowers may see their loans forgiven.
Paycheck Protection Program LOAN FORGIVENESS FORM
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RELIEF ACT (PHASE II)
The Families First Coronavirus Relief Act was recently signed into law. Its purpose is to codify new rules that expand paid sick and family leave in response to the current pandemic. The US Department of Labor released a Q&A resource page dedicated to helping employees and employers navigate the new rules.
CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT (CARES ACT, PHASE III)
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2.2 trillion stimulus package containing a host of tax and economic provisions intended to help both businesses and individuals. FAA put together a summary of how this Act will affect the multfamily industry. To access this summary, please click on the link below.
Please note you will have to sign in to access this resource.
For an infographic on eviction moratorium timelines, please access the link below.
Please note you will have to sign in to access this resource.
Please take a look at this small business owner's guide put together by the US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act
EXTENSIONS ON PAYING CORPORATE TAXES
Florida companies were granted more time to file some corporate tax returns and pay the taxes, under a Florida Department of Revenue emergency waiver granted on April 27th. The new due date is August 3rd for corporations with a fiscal year ending Dec. 31st, Jan. 31st, or Feb. 29th. To view the order, please click on the link below.
STATE AND LOCAL COURT ACTIVITY RELATED TO COVID-19
Local governments across the country, including some here in Florida, have enacted eviction bans in response to COVID-19 concerns. FAA has put together a list of court closures throughout Florida, including Supreme Court Orders, local Sheriff's orders, among other orders.
STATE AND LOCAL COURT ORDERS AND CLOSURES
Note: This list is expected to grow in the coming weeks and will be updated as new information becomes available. Please refer to your local county clerk of court's website for additional information regarding court closures and eviction status.
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY IN FLORIDA
The State of Florida along with some its local governments have issued shelter-in-place mandates, curfews, and other executive orders in response to COVID-19. FAA has put together a list of cities and counties throughout Florida that are issuing these types of orders. This page also includes guidance for local stay at home orders or curfews.
Note: This list is expected to grow in the coming weeks and will be updated as new information becomes available. Please refer to your local municipality's website for additional information regarding curfews and stay-at-home orders.
RESOURCES FOR YOUR RESIDENTS
FAA has drafted an FAQ document to assist properties in communicating with residents. This resource includes information regarding when residents can expect stimulus payments, the importance of communicating with management if they are experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19, information about financial assistance, and more. This document is customizable to meet your property or company's needs.
Please note you will have to sign in to access this resource.
RESIDENT RESOURCES
FAA has provided a list of resources that may assist renters that are experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. This list includes national non-profits, local government programs, and other various local assistance programs. Please access this resource for list of local rental relief programs across the state of Florida.
Resident Resources during covid-19