TOP STORIES

Preliminary FY26 budget supports rural renters, requests housing cuts

The FY26 budget outline released by the Trump administration on May 2 proposes no funding for some key USDA housing programs, including USDA Section 502 direct home loans, the self-help housing program, and Section 542 vouchers. It does request $1.7 billion for Section 521 Rental Assistance and says that is enough to renew all current RA contracts. It also proposes a new $100 million Rural Financial Award Program that would require 60% of CDFIs’ loans and investments to go to rural areas. The budget also targets key HUD programs, suggesting elimination of HOME and CDBG, competitive Indian housing programs, and others. It would combine HUD’s rental assistance programs into a block grant to states with reduced funding. Rent aid and homeless assistance would be limited to two years. The administration is expected to provide a complete budget request by the end of May. Congress will develop spending bills, which may or may not resemble the proposed budget. Responding to the “skinny budget,” HAC President and CEO David Lipsetz issued a statement emphasizing the federal government’s essential role as an investor and partner for rural America. HAC also posted a summary.

Call for workshop proposals: 2025 National Rural Housing Conference

The Housing Assistance Council is seeking engaging, hands-on workshop proposals for the National Rural Housing Conference to be held November 4-7 in Washington, DC. The deadline to submit your proposal is June 15. If your work advances housing or community development in rural America, we want to hear from you! Learn more about HAC workshops and how to submit a proposal here.

RuralSTAT

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Over 700,000 Asian and Pacific Islanders live in rural and small-town communities across the United States. Hawaii has the largest number and percentage of rural Asian and Pacific Islanders among the states with nearly one-third of Hawaiians identifying as Asian, Hawaiian Homelander, or Pacific Islander. Source: Rural Data Central – HAC tabulations of the U.S Census Bureau’s 2019-2023 American Community Survey.

Data is Central. To learn more about the demographic, economic, and housing composition of your community, visit Rural Data Central.

OPPORTUNITIES

Justice Department will fund services to domestic violence survivors

Transitional housing assistance funding is available for nonprofits and state, local, or Tribal governments to provide six to 24 months of transitional housing and support services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Apply by June 9. The Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program supports cooperative efforts among law enforcement officers, prosecutors, victim service providers, and other related parties to investigate and prosecute sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; treatment, advocacy, counseling, legal assistance, or other victim services for victims in rural communities; or programs addressing sexual assault. Apply by July 8. Information about other open grant programs is available from the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women and on grants.gov.

Grants offered for resident-driven community planning

The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program serves U.S. cities and towns with populations under 30,000, including in U.S. territories. The program provides $10,000 grants and requires a $10,000 cash match for a resident-driven process that engages the entire population of a town in identifying what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve that. Applications are reviewed monthly.

Rural disaster home repair program guidance renewed

Updated guidance from USDA RD confirms that the agency still has funds available for repairs to owner-occupied homes in Section 504-eligible places where presidentially declared disasters occurred in calendar year 2022. The document explains how the Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program differs from the Section 504 Home Repair Grant Program.

CAPITOL HILL

House reconciliation bill would boost rural Opportunity Zones and LIHTC

House committees have now approved all the sections of a budget reconciliation bill, which is becoming known as “the one big beautiful bill.” Some of the last pieces revealed were the provisions to extend or refine tax cuts. They were approved by the Ways and Means Committee on May 14 and include changes in the Opportunity Zones and Low Income Housing Tax Credit programs. The bill would set current OZ designations to expire in 2026 rather than 2028, the date in existing law. A new round of OZs would be identified. In an effort to improve the program’s performance in rural areas, about one-third of the new OZs would have to be rural and incentives would be offered for rural OZ investments. The bill’s revisions to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit include a 30% basis boost for properties in rural and Native communities. The bill would repeal or phase out clean energy tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act. It would allow the New Markets Tax Credit to expire. It does not include the homeownership tax credit provisions of the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act. The full budget reconciliation package will now be considered by the House Budget Committee, then the full House. The Senate will craft its own version. HAC issued a statement on the House’s tax provisions.

Bill introduced to protect farmworkers after disasters

On May 7, the Disaster Relief for Farmworkers Act was introduced in both the Senate and the House. The bill would provide crucial financial assistance to farmworkers who lose income due to natural disasters or public health emergencies and also offer support to farmers facing crop losses during such events.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

Many federal layoffs paused, agencies told to make plans public

In one of the many lawsuits filed challenging the administration’s firing of federal workers, a federal judge issued a May 9 temporary restraining order halting the layoffs at 21 agencies, including USDA and HUD, through May 23. The judge also ordered the administration to release agency reduction in force and reorganization plans on May 13, but then postponed that deadline. According to the administration, publicly releasing those plans would reveal management strategies and hurt employee recruiting and retention. While the lower court is still considering whether to require release of the plans, the government has appealed the temporary restraining order. A Government Executive article describes some of the differing actions taken by agencies subject to the temporary restraining order.

Staff terminations expected at HUD

Government Executive reports that HUD has issued reduction in force (RIF) notices to all employees in the Office of Field Policy and Management at the General Schedule-13 level and below, effective May 18. The article adds that HUD is expected to issue RIFs to staff in other offices in the near future.

USDA now hiring

Over 15,000 USDA employees – about 15% of the department’s workforce – have signed up for deferred resignations, which allow them to leave their jobs immediately and be paid through September, Politico reports. These departures are in addition to previous layoffs of probationary staff, some of whom have been rehired. More staff will be let go through reductions in force carried out by the administration. Questioned about the departures at a Senate subcommittee hearing on May 6, Secretary Brooke Rollins said USDA is actively recruiting to fill some jobs. She noted that the department loses 8,000-10,000 employees every year and hires to fill their positions.

Some USDA RD housing officials depart, state directors are appointed

At least two high-level staff in the Rural Housing Service’s headquarters have left: Jacki Ponti-Lazaruk, who was the Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, and Angilla Denton, who was the RHS Deputy Administrator for Multifamily Housing and then the Acting Administrator. Christine Mechtly, who became Deputy Administrator for Single-Family Housing in 2024, is now the RHS Acting Administrator.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins recently announced the appointments of new state directors for the Farm Service Agency and Rural Development.

Tribal feedback requested on environmental rules

HUD asks Tribal leaders to provide comments by May 25 on improvements to the environmental review process.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau withdraws some guidance

CFPB is withdrawing a number of documents that were issued to provide non-binding policy guidance. The agency explains that the cancellation is not necessarily final, but these documents will not be enforced or otherwise relied upon by the Bureau while it continues reviewing them. They cover a variety of topics including mortgage lending rules for surviving family members, consumer protections for home sales financed under contracts for deed, and enforcement priorities related to housing insecurity.

CFPB director nominee shifted to Treasury

Jonathan McKernan’s nomination to become Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director has been cancelled and President Trump has nominated him instead to be Undersecretary of Domestic Finance at the Treasury Department. No new CFPB nominee has been announced.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Podcast looks at rural economic development

Seeding Economic Development in Rural America, with Ann Eisenberg is an episode of Resources for the Future’s podcast. Eisenberg, a professor and research director at the West Virginia University College of Law, explains how rural economies become vulnerable to decline when macroeconomic and societal changes weaken or displace local industries. She provides examples of successful economic diversification and revitalization; strategies to support rural communities that are facing economic hardship; and explanations about ways policies that have strengthened rural economies have also bolstered broader national economic stability.

Report contrasts colonias living conditions with border security spending

“Although billions of state and federal dollars flow into the majority-Latino communities along the nearly 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border, many remain among the poorest places in the nation,” observes a report by ProPublica and the Texas Tribune. The article describes the depths of the region’s need for water and hospital access.

HAC

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including Tribes).

Want to reprint a HAC News item?

Please credit the HAC News and provide a link to HAC’s website. Thank you!

TOP STORIES

USDA will propose closing local offices, reducing and relocating staff, report says

Office of Management and Budget documents show the administration plans to suggest closing USDA local offices and consolidating staff into “state committees” covering Rural Development, the Farm Service Agency, and the National Resources Conservation Service, Government Executive reported on April 15. The publication, which reviewed OMB’s “passback” for the FY26 budget proposal, did not provide specifics but reported that OMB’s documents assume cuts in staff, offices, and program funding. The administration can still make changes before submitting its budget request to Congress, and Congress will then decide what dollar amounts and policy provisions to include in its final appropriations.

Politico recently reported that about 30,000 of USDA’s 100,000 employees will be removed through buyouts and reductions in force. Government Executive has also reported that 16,000 USDA staffers have accepted the government’s two deferred resignation offers. Remaining staff will be relocated from Washington, DC to three hubs in other, not yet identified, parts of the country, Government Executive wrote on April 7, anticipating about 9,000 jobs will be eliminated. Some field staff will also be relocated to the hubs, it reported, and parts of the department will be reorganized. Government Executive offers a regularly updated “RIF watch” page summarizing information about layoffs at many federal agencies and another page about firings of probationary employees.

Court proceedings continue in two cases challenging the legality of the administration’s large-scale firings of probationary employees. In one of them, the Supreme Court recently lifted a lower court’s order to reinstate thousands of workers, but that did not end the case, which is now pending in an appeals court.

Congress agrees on framework for tax and spending cuts

The House (on April 10) and the Senate (on April 5) passed a resolution setting parameters for a budget reconciliation package that will reduce federal spending and extend tax cuts. An earlier House version included deeper spending cuts, but the House supporters of that plan agreed to vote for the Senate’s version after Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) made a public commitment to increase the savings achieved through the budget reconciliation process. Now that the two chambers have agreed on the topline figures, their committees will draft pieces of a final budget reconciliation bill with specific provisions – tax cuts and program changes – to reach those figures. The spending levels established by the just-passed resolution are likely to require cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. The final bill will not set appropriations for any particular fiscal year, but will establish dollar limits for future appropriations.

Administration budget request possible this month

The Trump administration’s budget proposal for FY26 is expected to be released in May. A “skinny budget,” without details, may be issued in April. House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) has launched his committee’s FY26 work and announced the committee will accept House members’ requests for earmarks, known as Community Project Funding. A similar announcement from Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) also permits earmarks, calling them Congressionally Directed Spending.

Trump suggests some undocumented workers could get legal status

In comments during a Cabinet meeting on April 10, President Trump referred to a possible process for legalizing undocumented workers, including farmworkers. News reports indicate he suggested that employers could recommend specific people for legalization, who would continue to work in the U.S. briefly, then leave the country and return with legal status.

RuralSTAT

USDA’s Economic Research Service identified 453 High Farming Concentration Counties in 2025. This classification indicates that these counties have a high share of earnings or jobs in farming or agriculture industries. Over 90 percent of High Farming counties are located outside of metropolitan areas. Source: HAC tabulations of USDA ERS County Typology Codes.

OPPORTUNITIES

Deadline extended to April 18 for OneRural 2025 Technical Assistance

HAC is now accepting applications for OneRural Technical Assistance Services, offering customized support to rural nonprofits, Tribal housing entities, and local governments. This program helps organizations strengthen their housing and community development efforts through expert guidance and capacity building. Applications are open through April 18. Learn more and apply at OneRural 2025 – Housing Assistance Council.

CAPITOL HILL

Rural Housing Service Reform Act and other housing bills reintroduced

The RHS Reform Act of 2025, introduced as S. 1260 by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) with several cosponsors, offers a slate of commonsense modernizations to the rural housing programs at USDA. HAC has endorsed the bill.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, introduced by Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) with several cosponsors, expands and strengthens the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. HAC supports the bill.

The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act was introduced by Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Rep. John Larson (D-CT) with several cosponsors. It is supported by HAC and would create a tax credit for the production and preservation of homeownership housing in low-income areas.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

Turner emphasizes restrictions on aid for undocumented residents and sanctuary cities

Secretary Scott Turner issued a public letter to HUD grantees and stakeholders reminding them that HUD funds cannot be used to provide “certain federal public benefits” to undocumented residents. Turner posted the letter on X with a comment that seemed to indicate HUD would also withhold funds from organizations that assist people without legal status, even if they do not use federal monies to do so: “I want to make it crystal clear – no taxpayer dollars will be given to organizations that support, house, shelter, or provide care to illegal aliens who broke the law.” Undocumented residents are legally eligible for some HUD and USDA housing aid, and “mixed status” families that include both legal residents and undocumented members are eligible for prorated housing assistance, as explained here by the National Housing Law Project.

HUD may move headquarters out of DC

HUD hopes to move out of its headquarters building in Washington, DC, according to Bloomberg News, which said HUD might relocate within the DC metro area or elsewhere in the country.

Technical assistance grants reinstated

HUD has restored at least some of the technical assistance contracts it cancelled in February. Enterprise Community Partners and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation issued press releases announcing their Section 4 contracts were reinstated. At least six other organizations had lost contracts from HUD’s Community Compass program but their current status has not been reported.

Judge renews ruling on Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

On April 15 a federal judge extended her previous freeze on EPA’s termination of grants to intermediaries under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program. This preliminary injunction applies to the three organizations that brought suit: Climate United Fund, Coalition for Green Capital, and Power Forward Communities, all of which were awarded grants from the GGRF’s National Clean Investment Fund. The injunction will last indefinitely while the court proceedings continue.

USDA announces, then retracts, pause on rental production and preservation funding

On April 7, USDA’s multifamily housing office informed funding recipients by email that it was “currently paused on executing obligations and issuing Conditional Commitments for all MFH Production & Preservation Programs until further notice.” The next day, a second email rescinded the first. It stated that “USDA is implementing an internal pre-obligation review process; however, Multifamily Housing programs are not paused on executing obligations or issuing Conditional Commitments. Multifamily Housing programs are operating normally for FY2025.”

Effective dates extended again for parts of HOME regulation

After an initial delay announced in February, HUD has further postponed the effective dates for some provisions of the HOME final rule. HUD will publish a separate notice requesting comments on the delayed provisions. The provisions that are not delayed are effective as of April 20, 2025, with a final compliance date of April 20, 2026.

White House orders faster repeal of regulations

A presidential memorandum, building on a February executive order, instructs federal agencies to repeal regulations without public notice or comment periods if they conflict with recent Supreme Court decisions.

OMB seeks deregulation ideas

OMB requests suggestions for deregulation relating to “any and all regulations currently in effect.” Commenters should identify rules to be rescinded and provide detailed reasons for their rescission. Comments are due May 12.

USDA announces senior staff appointments

Some recent appointments are potentially relevant for rural housing. Kelsey Barnes is now Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Rural Development, Biofuels, and Research, Education, and Economics. David Matthews serves as the Director of State Operations for Rural Development. T.W. Shannon has become the Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Rural Prosperity.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

HAC posts online guide for flood survivors

To assist our rural partners and communities affected by recent flooding, HAC’s Ohio River Valley and Mississippi Valley Floods Rural Response Guide provides information for people in the disaster area. Other disaster resources from HAC include Rural Resilience in the Face of Disaster and a Disaster Response for Rural Communities Guide.

Proposal to develop “Freedom Cities” on federal land may be gaining momentum

A proposal from the American Enterprise Institute calls for building up to 3 million homes on federally owned land in “Freedom Cities” – deregulated zones designed to address housing affordability and land scarcity. A Bloomberg Law article notes that, rooted in a concept floated by President Trump, the plan has gained new attention amid rising housing costs in the West. Supporters see potential in states like Nevada and Colorado, while critics raise concerns about environmental oversight and local governance.

HAC

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including Tribes).

Want to reprint a HAC News item?

Please credit the HAC News and provide a link to HAC’s website. Thank you!

TOP STORIES

Fair housing grants reinstated

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order requiring HUD to reinstate the Fair Housing Initiative Program grants it terminated in February. The TRO restores the status quo while a lawsuit filed by fair housing organizations moves forward.

CDFI Fund says all its programs are statutorily required

The March 14 Executive Order that called for limiting the activities of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and other agencies instructed the agencies to report to OMB “confirming full compliance with this order and explaining which components or functions of the governmental entity, if any, are statutorily required and to what extent.” The CDFI Fund’s report to OMB lists all 11 of its programs and functions, along with the statutes that require them, concluding that the Fund “is performing its statutory functions as required by law.”

Bank regulators will rescind 2023 Community Reinvestment Act rule

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Federal Reserve Board announced on March 28 that they will propose to rescind the final CRA rule issued in October 2023 and reinstate the prior CRA framework.

April is National Fair Housing Month

Report housing discrimination to HUD online, by phone at 1-800-669-9777, or by mail.

RuralSTAT

Most (87%) of the recent population growth in places with moderate-to-high wildfire risk has been among people over the age of 60. In rural areas with the greatest wildfire risk, 35% of residents are over 60. Source: Economic Research Service, Aging and Wildfire Risk to Communities.

OPPORTUNITIES

Apply by April 15 for OneRural 2025 Technical Assistance

HAC is now accepting applications for OneRural Technical Assistance Services, offering customized support to rural nonprofits, Tribal housing entities, and local governments. This program helps organizations strengthen their housing and community development efforts through expert guidance and capacity building. Applications are open through April 15. Learn more and apply at OneRural 2025 – Housing Assistance Council.

USDA revises multifamily funding notices

The 2024 notices announcing funds for USDA’s multifamily preservation and Section 515 loan programs and for multifamily technical assistance provision offered points to applicants for addressing Biden administration priorities. The current administration has now amended the notices to remove those priorities and will not award points related to them. The agency will review applications accordingly. It is not reopening the funding opportunities and applicants do not need to make changes.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

HUD, other agencies confirm DEI orders do not apply to programs for Tribes

An internal HUD memo confirms that President Trump’s executive orders ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs do not apply to HUD’s programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives. The memo from HUD’s Acting General Counsel explains that “the Department’s legal obligation to provide housing for Indian Tribes and their citizens” and the government-to-government relationship with Tribes are distinct from the kind of DEI programs cancelled by the executive orders. The executive orders do apply, however, to DEI programs such as efforts to hire diverse staff by Native agencies that use HUD funding. The Departments of the Interior and Health and Human Services have issued similar clarifications.

No new Emergency Housing Vouchers to be issued after mid-April

HUD Notice PIH 2025-07 tells public housing agencies they must stop issuing Emergency Housing Vouchers. These vouchers were authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The notice also reminds PHAs that they are prohibited from reissuing turnover EHVs when families leave the program after September 30, 2023. HUD adds that it hopes to support families who currently have vouchers for as long as possible until the program runs out of funds by the end of calendar year 2026.

USDA and HUD limit mortgages for some non-citizens

USDA and HUD recently announced limitations on undocumented residents’ eligibility for mortgages guaranteed by USDA RD or insured by the Federal Housing Administration. They were already ineligible under Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. § 1436a), which prohibits housing assistance to noncitizens unless they meet specific requirements, such as having permanent residence status. The March 20 HAC News erroneously reported that all non-citizens are now ineligible for USDA guaranteed mortgages but, in fact, those with certain documentation remain eligible. HAC regrets the error. FHA Mortgagee Letter 2025-09 and Title I Letter TIL-490 explain that non-citizen FHA mortgage insurance recipients must be permanent residents.

Universal Notice for CDBG disaster funds revised

A March 19 HUD memo makes changes in the Universal Notice governing Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds, adjusting the previous version of the Notice, which was published on January 8, to fit recent executive orders. A version with all the changes incorporated into the text is posted on HUD’s CDBG-DR site.

HUD sets income limits, revises some Fair Market Rents

Income limits for HUD programs, effective April 1, are posted online. Separately, HUD has revised FMRs for several areas, based on new data and effective on April 28.

USDA delays energy efficiency requirements

Energy efficiency standards adopted by USDA and HUD last year will go into effect six months later than originally planned, USDA announced. The standards will apply to the Section 502 direct and guarantee programs and the Section 523 self-help program. HUD published a similar notice recently.

Preliminary injunction protects Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Under a preliminary injunction and order issued March 28 by a federal district court judge, the administration must rehire CFPB staff and keep the agency functioning while the employees’ union’s suit moves forward. The administration announced it will appeal the decision.

Some Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidance canceled

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte has been posting announcements to his X account of FHFA decisions canceling past directives regarding Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. Topics include tenant protections, special purpose credit programs, unfair or deceptive acts or practices, solar energy, climate-related risk management, and more.

HUD revamps website, resources can still be found online

While HUD is revising its website, materials that cannot be located at their previous URLs may be available through the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, HUD’s official archives, HUD User’s archives, or the National Housing Conference’s collection of resources.

EVENTS

HAC offers Section 502 direct loan packaging course in Atlanta

HAC will hold a USDA Section 502 Direct Certified Loan Packaging Training in Atlanta, GA on April 22-24. This three-day advanced course prepares participants to become certified Section 502 loan packagers. It is designed for those experienced in using Section 502. A laptop is required for the class for each participant. Following the course, participants are encouraged to take the online certification exam. The registration fee is $825. For more information, contact HAC, registration@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

HAC analysis shows significant increases in rural homelessness

HUD’s 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, released in January, shows that homelessness has reached an all-time high nationwide. A new HAC brief analyzes the data and finds that more than 126,000 people experienced homelessness in largely rural Continuums of Care, with a disproportionate rise in unsheltered families and chronically homeless individuals. The brief explores contributing factors such as the end of pandemic-era protections, economic pressures, and natural disasters. Despite these challenges, a notable decline in veteran homelessness highlights the impact of sustained, targeted interventions.

Farm laborers’ contributions highlighted during Farmworker Awareness Week

Organizations, schools, and communities across the country celebrated Farmworker Awareness Week March 24-31. Farmworker advocates, including Student Action with Farmworkers, put out a call to action to raise awareness of farmworker issues within their communities. HAC joined in these efforts by presenting on our recent farmworker research during the National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s Just Economy Conference 2025. To learn more about current farmworker trends and housing conditions, read HAC’s recent research brief, Creating A Better Understanding of Farmworker Communities and Their Housing Conditions.

Number of Hispanic homeowners hits record high

With 238,000 new owners added in the last year, Hispanic homeownership reached a record 9.8 million households, the largest increase of any racial or ethnic demographic for the second consecutive year, according to the annual State of Hispanic Homeownership Report published by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. The Hispanic homeownership rate declined, however, from 49.5% to 49.0%.

Articles highlight strategies to expand affordable housing

Axios and JPMorgan Chase identify four strategies to grow the affordable housing supply: zoning reform, better land acquisition tools, support for construction innovation, and stronger development capacity. A recent AP News story focuses on possibilities for innovation, highlighting how factory-built modular homes, 3D printing, and hempcrete are being explored to reduce housing construction costs and timelines. The article contends that these emerging methods could help expand affordable housing, especially in rural areas where labor shortages and high material costs often pose barriers.

HAC

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including Tribes).

Want to reprint a HAC News item?

Please credit the HAC News and provide a link to HAC’s website. Thank you!