This week’s roundup highlights rent payments, operational tips and supporting renters in the time of COVID-19. First, NMHC tracks how many renters were able to make rent payments in April, noting that over 80 percent of households in its survey paid full or partial rent by the middle of the month. Next, Arbor’s Chatter blog summarizes insights from a recent Yardi® Matrix webinar on how property owners and managers can communicate with residents and successfully run their properties in these challenging times. Housing Matters offers short- and long-term solutions federal, state and local governments can implement to support renters and property managers during the outbreak, and maintain stability in the housing market. Then, NREI discusses the approaches landlords are taking to work with tenants whose incomes have been impacted, including creating payment plans or relief programs. Finally, Fannie Mae releases its forecast on COVID-19’s impact on U.S. economic growth, including expectations for job losses, housing starts and lending volume.

NMHC Rent Payment Tracker Finds Rent Payment Rate at 93 Percent of Prior Month

NMHC – April 15

“84 percent of apartment households made a full or partial rent payment by April 12 in its second survey of 11.5 million units of professionally managed apartment units across the country, up 15 percentage points from April 5.”

Multifamily Tips in the Time of COVID-19

Arbor Chatter – April 13

“In a Yardi® Matrix webinar, experts offer multifamily tips for owners and operators facing today’s real estate challenges arising from COVID-19.”

“The Future Is Shared”: Why Supporting Renters during COVID-19 Is Critical for Housing Market Stability

Housing Matters – April 14

“Acting quickly is critical to stabilizing the entire housing ecosystem. Many tenants couldn’t pay rent on April 1, and they will likely struggle to come up with rent payments for the next several months.”

Operating Multifamily Properties in a Time of No Evictions

NREI – April 13

“Most landlords are likely going to encourage payment plans that call for residents to pay some portion of their rent every month, rather than skipping payment periods entirely.”

Combined COVID-19 and Oil Shock Expected to End Longest Expansion

Fannie Mae – April 16

“In our March forecast we reduced our outlook for 2020 GDP from 2.2 percent to 1.8 percent. Given recent events, we now expect GDP to contract by 3.1 percent in 2020. Due in part to the magnitude of fiscal and monetary policy responses to date, we expect 2021 GDP growth to be 4.8 percent