Information Products Archives

Rural Reentry: Housing Options and Obstacles for Ex-Offenders

December 1, 2011/in Supportive Services, Vulnerable Populations

Rural Reentry: Housing Options and Obstacles for Ex-Offenders
December 2011, 54 pages, ISBN: 978-1-58064-173-9

The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world and, in 2007, the national prison population surpassed 1.5 million individuals (PEW, 2008). The massive explosion of the nation’s prison population has largely occurred in the past 20 years, tripling from the 585,084 individuals incarcerated in 1987. As of 2009, 1 in 31 Americans is in prison, jail, or otherwise under the supervision of probation or parole (PEW, 2009). As incarceration rates continue to increase exponentially, the number of ex-offenders who return home looking to reintegrate themselves into society continues to rise as well. As 95 percent of incarcerated persons will eventually be released, the community challenges of managing the needs of ex-offenders are becoming overwhelming (CRJ, 2001).

Much of the research and policy on the reintegration of formerly incarcerated persons discusses the issue through an urban perspective where large numbers of ex-offenders are densely concentrated and there is a critical mass of formerly incarcerated persons in need that can sustain various creative, high density housing options. The dynamics of a rural environment, however, pose different challenges and opportunities for the ex-offenders and reentry housing practitioners. Growing numbers of formerly incarcerated persons are returning home to rural communities that may lack the resources or tools to adequately meet demand. Rural reentry service networks may be loosely formed, incomplete or nonexistent depending on the region. This report serves as a probe into the burgeoning, complex topic of rural reentry, attempting to better understand the rural environment, its housing providers, and the ex-offenders who call it home.

HAC News: November 30, 2011

November 30, 2011/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

November 30, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 24

• HUD offers lead hazard funding • RD explains energy requirements for new construction • Uniform Appraisal Dataset adopted for Section 502 direct and guaranteed loans • RD will accept third-party initial inspections for single-family homes • Updated rural tenant data released • Research predicts increase in homelessness • HAC launches research series using 2010 Census data • New Rural Voices covers housing and water links • HAC examines supplemental poverty measure • Correction: FY12 funding not subject to deficit reduction actions

November 30, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 24

HUD OFFERS LEAD HAZARD FUNDING. Applications are due January 18 for both the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program and the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program. Visit https://www.grants.gov or https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm. Contact Michelle M. Miller, HUD, michelle.m.miller@hud.gov, 202-402-5769.

RD EXPLAINS ENERGY REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION. Administrative Notice 4603 (October 28, 2011) states that USDA-funded new construction projects are now governed by the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act’s standards for the efficiency of equipment and appliances in homes. These standards do not apply to manufactured homes, which remain subject to the HUD Code. ANs are posted at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd-an_list.html. Contact William Downs, USDA, 202-720-1499, william.downs@wdc.usda.gov.

UNIFORM APPRAISAL DATASET ADOPTED FOR SECTION 502 DIRECT AND GUARANTEED LOANS. For appraisals completed on or after January 1, appraisers must use the new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac UAD for both Section 502 programs. For UAD information visit https://www.efanniemae.com/sf/lqi/umdp/uad/index.jsp. RD’s AN 4601 (October 28, 2011) is at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd-an_list.html. Contact an RD office.

RD WILL ACCEPT THIRD-PARTY INITIAL INSPECTIONS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES. For Section 502 direct loans and Section 504 loans and grants, through September 30, 2012 RD will accept qualified third-party inspectors’ inspections instead of requiring its own staff to visit properties, and will waive some site inspections. Environmental requirements must be met, and RD will conduct final inspections. Details are in an Unnumbered Letter dated October 27; visit https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/uloctober11.pdf or contact an RD office.

UPDATED RURAL TENANT DATA RELEASED. USDA’s annual occupancy report for Section 515 and 514/516 rentals states that from April 2010 to May 2011 the total number of Section 515 properties dropped by 270 (about 3,600 apartments) and the number of farmworker properties increased by six. Other data include tenant income, rent burden, gender, race/ethnicity, and more, nationwide and for each state. Find the Unnumbered Letter dated October 4 at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/uloctober11.pdf or contact an RD office.

RESEARCH PREDICTS INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that in the next three years U.S. homelessness could increase by 5%, and recommends continued investment in successful homelessness prevention and re-housing activities. “Increases in Homelessness on the Horizon” is free at https://www.endhomelessness.org. Contact NAEH, info@naeh.org, 202-638-1526.

HAC LAUNCHES RESEARCH SERIES USING 2010 CENSUS DATA. “Rurality in the United States” is the first in a series of Rural Research Notes presenting data and findings regarding social, economic, and housing characteristics of rural America based on the recently released 2010 Census and American Community Survey. Copies are free at http://ruralhome.org or from Dan Stern, HAC, dan@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

NEW RURAL VOICES COVERS HOUSING AND WATER LINKS. Housing and Water: The Critical Connection is a joint fall 2011 issue of HAC’s quarterly magazine and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership’s Rural Matters magazine. It provides examples of successful projects that have improved opportunities for affordable housing and water and waste services for low-income rural families and communities. This and other issues of Rural Voices are free at http://ruralhome.org. One print subscription per organization is free from Dan Stern, HAC, 202-842-8600, dan@ruralhome.org.

HAC EXAMINES SUPPLEMENTAL POVERTY MEASURE. A new HAC research brief, “Supplemental Poverty Measure: Understanding the change in rural (nonmetro) poverty estimates,” examines a new Census Bureau calculation that attempts to address some of the limitations of the official poverty estimate measure, which was created in the 1960s and is used by an estimated 82 federal programs as a factor in allocating monies. The supplemental measure will not replace the official measure. It generated a national nonmetro poverty rate estimate of 12.8%, compared to the official rate of 16.6%, probably because of differences in housing costs. The research brief is free at http://ruralhome.org or from Dan Stern, HAC, dan@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

CORRECTION: FY12 FUNDING NOT SUBJECT TO DEFICIT REDUCTION ACTIONS. The November 16 HAC News stated incorrectly that the recently enacted FY12 funding levels for USDA and HUD could be affected by the Super Committee’s actions or sequestration of funds resulting from its inaction. Any changes would take effect in FY13, not FY12. HAC apologizes for the confusion.

Analysis of the Supplemental Poverty Measure

November 29, 2011/in Rural Research Notes

HAC’s 2011 Research Note: Analysis of the Supplemental Poverty Measure

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released a new “supplemental” poverty measure. This new measure represents an attempt by the Census Bureau to address some of the limitations associated with the official poverty estimate measure, which was created in the 1960s. It should be noted that the supplemental measure is not intended to replace the current and official poverty measure, which is used by an estimated 82 federal programs as a factor in allocating monies,i but instead is being offered as a way “to better reflect contemporary social and economic realities and government policy effects and thus provide a further understanding of economic conditions and trends.

HAC News: November 16, 2011

November 17, 2011/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

November 16, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 223

• November is National Native American Heritage Month •Conference committee sets FY12 funding levels for USDA and HUD • CDFI Fund accepting applications • Changes proposed to NAHASDA regulations • HUD offers fair housing rule on discriminatory effect • HUD clarifies duplication of benefits for CDBG disaster grants • Deadline extended for HUD’s environmental justice strategy • Changes to Federal Home Loan Banks’ responsibilities suggested • Comments on New Markets Tax Credit sought • Materials posted from rural senior housing training

November 16, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 23

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. President Obama’s proclamation is at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/ presidential-actions.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SETS FY12 FUNDING LEVELS FOR USDA AND HUD. By November 18 the House and Senate are expected to pass, and President Obama to sign, a “minibus” that will fund USDA, HUD, and several other federal departments and agencies for the current fiscal year. It also includes a Continuing Resolution to carry the rest of the government through December 16. The funding levels in the bill could still be affected by deficit reduction actions of the Super Committee and Congress (see HAC News, 8/18/11). The conference report is posted at https://www.rules.house.gov/.

For USDA’s housing programs, the bill adopts most of the Senate’s amounts, higher than the House’s.

USDA Rural Devel. Program (dollars in millions)	FY11 Approp.a	FY12 Admin. Budget	FY12 Hse. (H.R. 2112)c	FY 12 Sen. App. Cmte. (H.R. 2112)	FY 12 Final Approp. (H.R. 2112)
502 Single Fam. Direct	$1,121	$211.4	$845.6	$900	$900
502 Single Family Guar.	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000
504 VLI Repair Loans	23.4	0	0	10	10
504 VLI Repair Grants	34	11.5	32	27	29.5
515 Rental Hsg. Direct	69.5	95.2	58.6	64.5	64.5
514 Farm Labor Hsg.	25.7b	27	18.3	23.4	20.8
516 Farm Labor Hsg.	9.8b	9.8	6.2	8	7.1
521 Rental Assistance Preservation RA New Constr. 515 RA New Constr. 514/516 RA	955.6 0 (2.03) (3)	906.7 0 (3) (3)	890 0 (1.5) (2.5)	904.7 0 (2) (2)	904.7 0 (1.5) (2.5)
523 Self-Help TA	37	0	22	30	30
533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants	10	0	0	7.3	3.6
538 Rental Hsg. Guar.	30.9	0	0	130	130
Rental Prsrv. Demo. (MPR)	15	0	0	2	2
Rental Prsrv. Revlg. Lns.	1	0	0	0	0
542 Rural Hsg. Vouchers	14	16	11	11	11
Rural Cmnty. Dev’t Init.	5	8.4	3	4.2	3.6

a. Figures shown do not include 0.2% across the board reduction.
b. Figures shown for Section 514 and 516 farm labor housing are the amounts offered in the FY11 NOFA.
c. Figures shown do not include 0.78% across the board reduction.

HUD programs underwent cuts in most areas, compared to 2011 levels, and some smaller programs were eliminated, including the Sustainable Communities Initiative and the Rural Innovation Fund. HOME, public housing, and SHOP suffered steep reductions.The bill provides funding for renewals of current Section 202 contracts, but eliminates funding for development of new Section 202 senior housing.

HUD Program (dollars in millions)	FY11 Approp.	FY12 Admin. Budget	FY12 House Bill	FY12 Senate Bill (S. 1596)	FY 12 Final Approp. (H.R. 2112)
Cmty. Devel. Block Grants Sustainable Commun. Init. Rural Innovation Fund	3,508 (100) 0	3,781 150 (25)	3,500 0 0	3,001 (90) 0	3,308.1 0 0
HOME	1,610	1,650	1,200	1,000	1,000
Tenant-Based Rental Asstnce. Vets. Affairs Spptve Hsg. Vchrs	18,408 (50)	19,223 (75)	18,467.9 (75)	18,872.4 (75)	18,914.4 (75)
Project-Based Rental Asstnce.	9,257.4	9,429	9,428.7	9,418.7	9,339.7
Transforming Rental Asstnce.	0	200	0	0	0
Public Hsg. Capital Fund	2,044	2,405	1,532.1	1,875	1,875
Public Hsg. Operating Fund	4,626	3,962	3,861.9	3,961.9	3,961.9
Public Hsg. Revtlztn. (HOPE VI)	100	0	0	0	0
Choice Neighbrhd. Initiative	0	250	0	120	120
Housing Trust Fund	0	1,000	0	0	0
Native Amer. Hsg. Block Grant	650	700	648.7	650	650
Homeless Assistance Grants	1,905	2,372	1,901.2	1,901.2	1,901.2
Hsg. Opps. for Persons w/ AIDS	335	335	334.3	330	332
202 Hsg. for Elderly	400	757	600	369.7	374.6
811 Hsg. for Disabled	150	196	196	150	165
Fair Housing	72	72	71.9	64.3	70.8
Healthy Homes & Ld. Haz. Cntl.	120	140	119.8	120	120
Self-Help Homeownshp. (SHOP)	27	0	15.9	17	13.5
Housing Counseling	0	88	0	60	45

a. New program proposed by the Administration.
c. Figures shown do not include 0.2% across the board reduction.

CDFI FUND ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS. Flexible Financial Assistance awards and capacity building Technical Assistance awards are available to certified and certifiable CDFIs (apply by January 11) and to Native American certified and certifiable CDFIs (apply by January 18). Visit https://www.cdfifund.gov or https://www.grants.gov. Contact CDFI Fund staff, 202-622-6355, cdfihelp@cdfi.treas.gov.

CHANGES PROPOSED TO NAHASDA REGULATIONS. The amendments would implement provisions of the 2008 NAHASDA reauthorization law for the Indian Housing Block Grant and Title VI Loan Guarantee programs. The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register and at https://www.regulations.gov on November 18. Contact Rodger Boyd, HUD, 202-401-7914.

HUD OFFERS FAIR HOUSING RULE ON DISCRIMINATORY EFFECT. A proposed rule would establish uniform standards for determining when a housing practice with a discriminatory effect violates the Fair Housing Act, even without discriminatory intent. Comments are due January 17. See Federal Register, 11/16/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Jeanine Worden, HUD, 202-402-5188.

HUD CLARIFIES DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS FOR CDBG DISASTER GRANTS. See Federal Register, 11/16/11. Contact Scott Davis, HUD, 202-708-3587.

DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR HUD’S ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE STRATEGY. Comments are now due November 23. See HAC News, 10/12/11 and https://tinyurl.com/77rcxpz.

CHANGES TO FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANKS’ RESPONSIBILITIES SUGGESTED The Federal Housing Finance Agency proposes to require FHLBs to monitor their members’ compliance with CRA and first-time homebuyer requirements. Comments are due February 8. See Federal Register, 11/10/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Charles E. McLean, FHFA, 202-408-2537.

COMMENTS ON NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT SOUGHT. The CDFI Fund invites comments and suggestions by February 6 about the mission, purpose and implementation of the NMTC program, including how low-income census tracts are identified and whether points should be awarded for serving rural markets. Visit https://www.cdfifund.gov. Contact CDFI Fund staff, cdfihelp@cdfi.treas.gov.

MATERIALS POSTED FROM RURAL SENIOR HOUSING TRAINING. Presentation materials from HAC’s November training, Housing Seniors in Rural America: Aging in Place in a Shifting Landscape, are available on HAC’s website, http://ruralhome.org.

HAC News: November 1, 2011

November 1, 2011/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf, ePub, mobi

November 1, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 22

• Senate rejects efforts to further reduce rural housing and SHOP funds • House subcommittees set hearing on HOME fraud • Tenant Resource Network funds offered for specified HUD properties • USDA proposes FY12 fee for Section 502 guaranteed loans • HUD announces FY12 Difficult Development Areas and asks what FMRs to use • Proposed rule aims to increase Native American access to rural utilities programs • HUD revises handbook guidance on displacement caused by CDBG or HOME funds • Housing policy commission launched • 26% of rural children live in persistent poverty counties • Indian housing needs study updates online

November 1, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 22

SENATE REJECTS EFFORTS TO FURTHER REDUCE RURAL HOUSING AND SHOP FUNDS. On November 1 the Senate passed H.R. 2112, combining the USDA, Commerce/Justice, and Transportation/HUD FY12 appropriations bills, with the funding levels reported in HAC News, 9/28/11 (HUD) and 9/14/11 (USDA). There was no vote on an amendment from Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) that would have eliminated funding for HUD’s SHOP program. An amendment offered by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) to cut USDA RD funding by 40% was defeated 85-13. The Senate did not consider a statement from the Obama Administration that requested increases in some HUD programs but asked that USDA rural housing programs be reduced to the Administration’s budget levels (see HAC News, 2/16/11), which would have reduced Section 502 direct loans by 80% and eliminated the Section 523 self-help program and rental preservation programs. The bill does cut CDBG, HOME, and other HUD programs, and eliminates HUD’s Rural Innovation Fund. It is expected to be considered soon by a House-Senate conference committee. Details and the Administration’s statement are on HAC’s site, http://ruralhome.org.

HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEES SET HEARING ON HOME FRAUD. Witnesses appearing on November 2 include people convicted of defrauding the HOME program, as well as HUD officials. Read testimony and watch the hearing live at https://financialservices.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=266369. HAC will post a summary afterwards at http://ruralhome.org.

TENANT RESOURCE NETWORK FUNDS OFFERED FOR SPECIFIED HUD PROPERTIES. Nonprofits with at least five years of tenant organizing experience can apply by December 6 to educate tenants and involve them in preservation of affordable units in specific properties listed in the NOFA. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Contact Claire Trivedi, HUD, 202-708-3000.

USDA PROPOSES FY12 FEE FOR SECTION 502 GUARANTEED LOANS. To make the program self-supporting, RHS proposes to charge an annual fee of 0.3% of the outstanding principal balance, beginning with all loans obligated on or after October 1, 2011. (Legislation authorizes an annual fee of up to 0.5%.) The one-time guarantee fee is 2% for purchases and 1% for refinances. Deadline for comments is December 27. See Federal Register, 10/28/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Cathy Glover, RD, 202-720-1452, cathy.glover@wdc.usda.gov.

HUD ANNOUNCES FY12 DIFFICULT DEVELOPMENT AREAS AND ASKS WHAT FMRS TO USE. Designations of Qualified Census Tracts published October 6, 2009 remain in effect. HUD requests comments, due December 27, on whether it should use Small Area Fair Market Rents, rather than metropolitan-area FMRs, in future designations of metropolitan DDAs. See Federal Register, 10/27/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Michael K. Hollar, HUD, 202-402-5878, Michael.K.Hollar@hud.gov.

PROPOSED RULE AIMS TO INCREASE NATIVE AMERICAN ACCESS TO RURAL UTILITIES PROGRAMS. Substantially Underserved Trust Areas would be eligible for more flexible terms and waivers of requirements in USDA’s rural utilities programs. Comments are due 12/13/11. See Federal Register, 11/1/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Michele Brooks, Rural Utilities Service, 202-720-9542.

HUD REVISES HANDBOOK GUIDANCE ON DISPLACEMENT CAUSED BY CDBG OR HOME FUNDS. See Change 11 and Chapter 7 at https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/handbooks/cpdh/1378.0/index.cfm. The National Low Income Housing Coalition analyzes improvements and changes at https://www.nlihc.org/doc/Memo16-38.pdf. Contact a HUD office.

HOUSING POLICY COMMISSION LAUNCHED. The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Commission is chaired by Christopher Bond, Henry Cisneros, Mel Martinez, and George Mitchell. It plans to study the entire housing sector and to issue “realistic and actionable policy recommendations” early in 2013. Visit https://www.bipartisanpolicy.org/projects/housing. Contact the Center, bipartisaninfo@bipartisanpolicy.org, 202-204-2400.

26% OF RURAL CHILDREN LIVE IN PERSISTENT POVERTY COUNTIES. A Carsey Institute research brief reports that 81% of counties with persistent child poverty are nonmetro, clustered in Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta, the Southeast, parts of the Southwest, and the Great Plains, and that policy often overlooks needy rural families. More Poor Kids in More Poor Places: Children Increasingly Live Where Poverty Persists is at https://carseyinstitute.unh.edu/CarseySearch/search.php?id=176. Contact carsey.communications@unh.edu, 603-862-2821.

INDIAN HOUSING NEEDS STUDY UPDATES ONLINE. Visit https://tinyurl.com/3ly2bpx for news about HUD’s Assessment of Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Housing Needs, currently underway. Contact Jennifer Stoloff, HUD, jennifer.a.stoloff@hud.gov, 202-402-5723.

Fall 2011: Housing and Water: The Critical Connection

October 31, 2011/in Rural Voices

Access a pdf version of Rural Voices.

A joint issue of HAC’s Rural Voices and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership’s (RCAP) Rural Matters

View From Washington

USDA and the Obama Administration: Working to meet the needs of rural homeowners
by USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Dallas Tonsager

FEATURES

Figuring It Out: Bringing Infrastructure to Affordable Housing Development Projects
Infrastructure improvements can rapidly increase the cost of an affordable housing development. HOPE shares strategies that have worked for them to fund these improvements.

Former Pineapple Plantation Continues to Bear Fruit
A Hawaii nonprofit partners with RCAP to save the affordable housing in Kunia after a pineapple producer leaves the town.

A Housing and Water Project that is ‘A Gift From God’
The community of Hobson Bay, Va. improved its infrastructure and housing stock dramatically with the help of Southeast RCAP.

Persistence and Perseverance: Tackling Infrastructure Challenges in Northwest, North Carolina
Comprehensive infrastructure development plans must take into account political and financial challenges that may impact even the most well thought-out project.

Location, Location, Location: Developing the Morley Meadows Subdivision in Santaquin, Utah
As with all housing development, location is key; however, when infrastructure is taken into account, location can be both an asset and a challenge.

Creating Comfortable Housing for a Growing Population of Seniors
How RCAP Solutions assembled the Townsend Woods project, the first LEED-certified HUD 202 senior development in Massachusetts.

Keeping the Water Flowing in Rural America for 35 Years
For 35 years, Community Resource Group has been working to insure access to clean, safe water for all rural Americans.

USDA Rural Development Obligations FY 11

October 18, 2011/in USDA RD Annual Obligations

Back to USDA RD Obligations

USDA Rural Development Obligations – Fiscal Year 2011

(Through September FY 2011)

Single Family Housing Program Obligations

Multi-Family Housing Program Obligations

Unallocated Program Obligations

Download Complete File of all Data

About the Data

The USDA Rural Development (RD) Year-End Report presents fiscal year utilization and activity of most USDA housing programs at the state and national level. These figures derive from HAC tabulations of USDA-RD 205c,d, and f report data. Additional data and information for the year end report were also provided by USDA’s Single Family and Multifamily Housing Divisions in the National Office.

Contact Information

The USDA Rural Development Year-End Report is produced by the Housing Assistance Council (HAC), 1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington, DC 20005. For questions or comments about the report, please contact Lance George at 202-842-8600 or lance@ruralhome.org. For additional information about USDA Rural Housing programs, contact the Rural Development National Office USDA Rural Development, Room 5014-S Mail Stop 0701, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0701, Phone: 1-800-670-6553 or (202) 690-1533, TTY: (800) 877-8339 (Federal Information Relay Service), Fax: (202) 690-0500. or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/.

HAC News: October 13, 2011

October 13, 2011/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf, ePub, mobi

October 13, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 21

• Government funded through November 18 • HUD offers two grant programs for Indian Country • AmeriCorps support available • HAC announces grant funding for rural senior housing • RD to conduct rent comparability studies for vouchers • Income calculations changed for Section 502 direct loans • Final 2012 Fair Market Rents published • HUD requests comments on environmental justice strategy • Comments invited on new interim PHAS scoring • Federal homelessness update published • Utility-funded energy efficiency programs can help multifamily housing • Affordability issues for seniors increasing, AARP reports

October 13, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 21

GOVERNMENT FUNDED THROUGH NOVEMBER 18. A continuing resolution keeps USDA and HUD housing programs at FY11 levels with a 1.5% across the board cut. The Senate may begin considering the USDA and Transportation-HUD FY12 appropriations bills this week. The full House has passed a USDA spending bill, but HUD’s bill has not moved beyond the subcommittee level there. See HAC News, 9/28/11 and 9/14/11. Bills are available at https://thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app12.html.

HUD OFFERS TWO GRANT PROGRAMS FOR INDIAN COUNTRY.Tribes and tribal organizations can apply by January 4, 2012 for FY12 Indian Community Development Block Grants. Contact Roberta Youmans, HUD, 202-402-3316. A variety of entities can apply by November 15 for FY10 Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Small Grants to collect and disseminate information. Contact Mike Blanford, 202-402-5728. Visit https://www.grants.gov or https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm.

AMERICORPS SUPPORT AVAILABLE.Nonprofits, institutions of higher education, sub-state government entities, tribes, labor organizations, partnerships, and intermediaries may apply and are encouraged to submit letters of intent by December 15; deadline is January 18. Visit https://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/funding. Contact agency staff at americorpsgrants@cns.gov or 202-606-7508.

HAC ANNOUNCES GRANT FUNDING FOR RURAL SENIOR HOUSING.With support from The Atlantic Philanthropies, Rural Senior Housing Fund grants are available to build, preserve, or advocate for housing for low-income seniors (62 and older) living in rural areas. Deadline is December 15. A webinar for applicants will be held October 20. Visit http://ruralhome.org. Contact Janice Clark, HAC, janice@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600 ext. 131.

RD TO CONDUCT RENT COMPARABILITY STUDIES FOR VOUCHERS. RD appraisers, rather than a contractor, will determine current market rents, which are used to calculate the value of vouchers offered to tenants in Section 515 properties when loans are prepaid or foreclosed. See Unnumbered Letter dated September 9, https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/ulseptember11.pdf. Contact Joan Atkinson, RD, 202-720-1609.

INCOME CALCULATIONS CHANGED FOR SECTION 502 DIRECT LOANS.A new RD notice makes numerous changes. Find Procedure Notice 415 at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/pn/pn451.html. Contact an RD office.

FINAL 2012 FAIR MARKET RENTS PUBLISHED. See Federal Register, 9/30/11, or https://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/fmr.html.

HUD REQUESTS COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE STRATEGY. A draft four-year plan is intended to address environmental justice concerns and increase access to environmental benefits through HUD activities, as part of a larger executive branch effort (see HAC News, 8/18/11). Comments are due November 14. Visit https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/sustainable_housing_communities/HUD_Draft_Environmental_Justice_Strategy. Contact Kathryn Dykgraaf, HUD, 202-402-6731. Stakeholder listening sessions are scheduled in several places between October 24 and December 2. Visit https://www.epa.gov/compliance/ej/interagency/schedule.html. Contact Sherri White, EPA, white.sherri@epa.gov.

COMMENTS INVITED ON NEW INTERIM PHAS SCORING.A February interim rule (see HAC News, 3/2/11) for HUD’s Public Housing Assessment System is superseded by a notice implementing a point loss cap, changing some definitions, and describing inspection software. See Federal Register, 10/13/11, or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Claudia Yarus, HUD, 202-475-8830.

FEDERAL HOMELESSNESS UPDATE PUBLISHED.The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness’s 2011 Annual Update to Opening Doors: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness reports that progress has been made in the first year of the Opening Doors effort. Visit https://www.usich.gov.

UTILITY-FUNDED ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS CAN HELP MULTIFAMILY HOUSING.Noting that most states require such programs but the focus is typically on large commercial facilities or single-family homes, a National Housing Trust factsheet encourages their use for energy retrofits of multifamily properties. Visit https://www.nhtinc.org. Contact NHT, 202-333-8931.

AFFORDABILITY ISSUES FOR SENIORS INCREASING, AARP REPORTS.State Housing Profiles 2011 describes housing and demographic conditions for homeowners and renters age 50 and older. All data is for entire states, with no urban/rural breakdown. Nationally, among those age 50+ with incomes under $23,000, 96% of homeowners with mortgages pay more than 30% of their incomes for housing, as do 49% of homeowners without mortgages and 78% of renters. Visit https://www.aarp.org/statehousingprofiles. Contact Rodney Harrell, rharrell@aarp.org.

Primer for Beginning Rural Housing Developers

October 1, 2011/in Homeowner Housing, Housing Affordability, Rental Housing

Download the Primer

Rural organizations play an important role in combating the effects of the recession by working to provide affordable housing for an increased number of people. Due to high need, many rural organizations without prior housing development experience may now be interested in exploring the development process. This manual is intended to serve as a starting point for those groups by providing a basic overview of the housing development process and the understanding necessary to move on to more detailed and more complete guides to housing development. This guide does not cover every step of the development process; instead it highlights those parts that HAC considers especially critical to an overall comprehension of housing development. This manual should not be used as an organization’s only guide to developing affordable housing.

Housing development can mean many different things. It can mean new construction or rehabilitation of existing structures. It can involve development of single-family homes or multifamily housing, rental units or homeownership projects. Yet all types of affordable housing development share the same basic process. Whether a proposed project is simple or complex, failure to understand that process or to successfully complete the requisite development and housing counseling steps can seriously jeopardize project success.

This guide is specifically geared to development of affordable housing in rural areas, since rural housing developers face unique obstacles, such as fewer housing development professionals from which to choose, fewer commercial banks to approach for funding, and limited public water and sewer infrastructure. However, the rural development organization also enjoys certain benefits, including U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) programs that provide funding only to projects in rural areas.

HAC News: September 28, 2011

September 28, 2011/in HAC News

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September 28, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 20

• September 15-October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month • House to consider continuing resolution options on Sept. 29 • Senate committee acts on HUD spending • Budget Control Act’s impact on HUD predicted • HUD posts general section for FY12 NOFAs • HUD offers multifamily energy innovation funds • HUD seeks feedback on healthy homes designation • Housing GSE regulations under review • Information available on Section 502 guarantee program fees • 500 places may lose eligibility for USDA housing programs, HAC estimates • Register for HAC’s senior housing symposium, Nov. 9-10, Seattle

September 28, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 20

SEPTEMBER 15-OCTOBER 15 IS NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. President Obama’s declaration is posted at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/proclamations.

HOUSE TO CONSIDER CONTINUING RESOLUTION OPTIONS ON SEPT. 29. The House will choose between two bills passed by the Senate to provide federal funding for the beginning of FY12. H.R. 2017 would fund the government through October 4 and H.R. 2608 through November 18. Both would fund USDA and HUD housing programs at FY11 levels with a 1.5% across the board cut. The bills are at https://thomas.loc.gov (search by bill number).

SENATE COMMITTEE ACTS ON HUD SPENDING. On September 21 the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a FY12 Transportation-HUD spending bill with substantial differences from the House subcommittee bill (see HAC News, 9/14/11). The Senate funded and the House did not fund housing counseling, Sustainable Communities, and Choice Neighborhoods. The Senate provided less funding for CDBG, HOME, Section 202, Section 811, fair housing, and HOPWA – but more for rental assistance vouchers, public housing capital and operating funds, and SHOP. The Rural Innovation Fund did not receive any funding in either bill. Further action on this and other appropriations bills is unclear. An omnibus package combining most of the bills is a likely possibility, with no further action taken on individual measures. The Senate report on S. 1596 is at https://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=112_cong_bills&docid=f:s1596pcs.txt.pdf.

HUD Program (dollars in millions)	FY10 Approp.	FY11 Approp.^b	FY12 Admin. Bdgt.	FY12 House Bill	FY12 Senate Bill
Cmty. Devel. Block Grants Sustainable Commun. Initiative Rural Innovation Fund	$4,450 (150) (25)	3,508 (100) 0	3,781 150 (25)	3,500 0 0	3,001 (90) 0
HOME	1,825	1,610	1,650	1,200	1,000
Tenant-Based Rental Asstnce. Vets. Affairs Spptve Hsg. Vchrs	18,184 (75)	18,408 (50)	19,223 (75)	18,467.9 (75)	18,872.4 (75)
Project-Based Rental Asstnce.	8,551.5	8,882	9,429	9,028.7	9,018.7
Transforming Rental Asstnce. ^a	–	0	200	0	0
Public Hsg. Capital Fund	2,500	2,044	2,405	1,532.1	1,875
Public Hsg. Operating Fund	4,775	4,626	3,962	3,861.9	3,961.9
Public Hsg. Revtlztn. (HOPE VI)	135	100	0	0	0
Choice Neighbrhd. Initiative	65	0	250	0	120
Housing Trust Fund	–	0	1,000	0	0
Native Amer. Hsg. Block Grant	700	650	700	648.7	650
Homeless Assistance Grants	1,865	1,905	2,372	1,901.2	1,901.2
Hsg. Opps. for Persons w/ AIDS	335	335	335	334.3	330
202 Hsg. for Elderly	825	400	757	600	369.7
811 Hsg. for Disabled	300	150	196	196	150
Fair Housing	72	72	72	71.9	64.3
Healthy Homes & Lead Haz. Cntl.	140	120	140	119.8	120
Self-Help Homeownshp. (SHOP)	27	27	0	15.9	17
Housing Counseling	87.5	0	88	0	60

a. New program proposed by the Administration. b. Figures shown do not include 0.2% across the board reduction.

BUDGET CONTROL ACT’S IMPACT ON HUD PREDICTED. Materials from a September 27 webinar by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities show future funding reductions for discretionary federal programs, including HUD housing, likely to occur under the recent deficit reduction legislation; visit https://www.cbpp.org/research/index.cfm?fa=topic&id=143. The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (“Super Committee”; see HAC News 8/18/11) now has a website at https://deficitreduction.senate.gov.

HUD POSTS GENERAL SECTION FOR FY12 NOFAs. NOFAs for individual funding programs will be published later. The general section applies to all. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Contact HUD’s grants management office, 202-708-0667.

HUD OFFERS MULTIFAMILY ENERGY INNOVATION FUNDS. Applications are due October 20 for Multifamily Energy Pilot grants from an FY10 Energy Innovation Fund, intended to stimulate innovative, replicable approaches for increasing the energy efficiency of existing multifamily properties. Both categories – financing and applied research – require matching funds. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and for-profits with portfolios over 1,000 units, special purpose financing entities like housing trust funds, and CDFIs. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/grpeif.cfm. Contact Theodore Toon, HUD, 202-708-0001.

HUD SEEKS FEEDBACK ON HEALTHY HOMES DESIGNATION. Comments are due October 14 on a proposal to designate communities as Safe and Healthy Homes Investment Partnerships providing multiple housing-based interventions and leveraging non-federal resources. These places would not receive direct funding, but might receive bonus points in future HUD NOFAs. See Federal Register, 9/14/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Jon L. Gant, HUD, 202-708-0310.

HOUSING GSE REGULATIONS UNDER REVIEW. The Federal Housing Finance Agency requests comments by November 22 on its plan to review regulations promulgated by its predecessors (HUD’s Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, HUD’s GSE oversight team, and the Federal Housing Finance Board). Individual regulations will be published for comment as well. Visit https://www.fhfa.gov or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Alfred M. Pollard, FHFA, alfred.pollard@fhfa.gov, 202-414-3788.

INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON SECTION 502 GUARANTEE PROGRAM FEES. New fees for the program begin October 1. Visit https://www.rdlist.sc.egov.usda.gov to sign up for emails and https://usdalinc.sc.egov.usda.gov/USDALincTrainingResourceLib.do to access documents, including frequently asked questions. Contact the national office guarantee division, 202-720-1452.

500 PLACES MAY LOSE ELIGIBILITY FOR USDA HOUSING PROGRAMS, HAC ESTIMATES. Analyzing recently released 2010 Census data, HAC calculated that 500 cities, towns, and villages could be reclassified as ineligible because their populations have grown. Future research will identify places that have lost population and could become newly eligible. Over 9 million people live in the potentially ineligible places (the report notes that not all would be eligible for housing aid, based on income or other program requirements). After the 1990 and 2000 censuses, legislation “grandfathered in” such places so they remained eligible; it is not known whether Congress will pass such a measure this year. The report, titled Estimating Potential Changes to USDA-RD’s Eligible Area Designations, lists of places, and an archived webinar presentation are available at http://ruralhome.org. Contact Lance George, HAC, lance@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

REGISTER FOR HAC’S SENIOR HOUSING SYMPOSIUM, NOV. 9-10, SEATTLE. Housing Seniors in Rural America: Aging in Place in a Shifting Landscape will feature discussions on aging in place; resources for repairing, developing, and preserving rental and homeownership units; and examples of successful practices in the field of affordable senior rural housing. Register online at http://ruralhome.org or contact Dan Stern, HAC, registration@ruralhome.org.