This post was originally published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

This study explores how PHAs implemented waivers and flexibilities authorized by Congress and
HUD to mitigate operational and programming challenges posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with leadership, staff, and members of Resident
Advisory Boards from 53 PHAs that adopted waivers and six PHAs that did not adopt waivers (a
total of 59 PHAs) to analyze the perspectives of PHA stakeholders concerning the utility of select
waivers. Researchers also analyzed data from HUD’s CARES Act Waiver Reporting Tool
(CAWRT), a collection of survey data reported by PHAs, to understand the characteristics of all
PHAs who implemented waivers (including PHA size, geographic area, and waivers adopted by
each PHA). Researchers supplemented the interview and CAWRT data with a document review of
PIH notices and guidance to add context to the analysis.