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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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August 31, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 18

• OMB asks agencies to suggest spending cuts • Section 514/516 deadline extended • USDA reissues Preservation Revolving Loan Fund NOFA • HUD offers Energy Innovation Fund Multifamily Pilot Program Grants • Continuum of Care NOFA published • Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program reopens in some states • HUD proposes to open FHA mortgage insurance to Farm Credit System direct lenders • HUD announces FY10 Rural Innovation Fund grantees • Proposed FMRs released • Handbook explains clean-up after flooding • HAC launches senior housing initiative • HAC offers training on senior housing and 502 packaging, Nov. 8-10, Seattle

August 31, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 18

OMB ASKS AGENCIES TO SUGGEST SPENDING CUTS. The Office of Management and Budget told federal agencies to prepare 2013 budget proposals based on 5% and 10% cuts from FY11 appropriations. An OMB blog post says the Administration will not make across-the-board cuts but will cut spending that is “wasteful or not essential.” Visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/08/18/2013-budget-guidance. There will be further communications between agencies and OMB as the Administration’s official budget is developed; these are not usually made public.

SECTION 514/516 DEADLINE EXTENDED (see HAC News, 7/6/11 and 8/18/11). Preapplications are now due September 6 rather than August 22, and the points for energy conservation are revised. See Federal Register, 8/30/11, https://www.grants.gov/, or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_NOFAs.html. Contact an RD state office.

USDA REISSUES PRESERVATION REVOLVING LOAN FUND NOFA. USDA will make loans to intermediaries that will lend for Section 515 and 514/516 preservation. Deadline is September 21. See Federal Register, 8/22/11, or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_NOFAs.html. Contact Sherry Engel, sherry.engel@wdc.usda.gov, 715-345-7677.

HUD OFFERS ENERGY INNOVATION FUND MULTIFAMILY PILOT PROGRAM GRANTS. CDFIs, for-profits, nonprofits, and special purpose financing entities are eligible for grants to demonstrate financing or applied research showing innovative and replicable approaches to increase energy efficiency at existing multifamily properties. Matching funds are required. Deadline is October 20. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm. Contact Theodore K. Toon, HUD, 202-708-0001.

CONTINUUM OF CARE NOFA PUBLISHED. Continuums of Care with approved registrations can apply by October 28 through HUD’s e-snaps system. Visit https://www.hudhre.info/.

EMERGENCY HOMEOWNERS’ LOAN PROGRAM REOPENS IN SOME STATES. Applications for interest-free loans are now due September 15 from homeowners in AK, AR, CO, HI, IA, KS, LA, ME, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NY, ND, OK, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, and PR who are at risk of foreclosure due to involuntary unemployment or underemployment, economic conditions, or medical conditions. Visit https://www.findehlp.org/ or call 855-FIND-EHLP (855-346-3345).

HUD PROPOSES TO OPEN FHA MORTGAGE INSURANCE TO FARM CREDIT SYSTEM DIRECT LENDERS. To make more housing credit available in rural areas, a proposed regulation would enable these lenders to seek FHA approval. Comments are due October 25. See Federal Register, 8/26/11, or https://www.regulations.gov/. Contact HUD’s Office of Lender Activities and Program Compliance, 202-708-1515.

HUD ANNOUNCES FY10 RURAL INNOVATION FUND GRANTEES. More than half the 46 awardees serve Native American/Native Alaskan populations. HUD says grantees will create 789 housing units and 655 jobs. Visit the Press Room at https://www.hud.gov/.

PROPOSED FMRS RELEASED. Comments are due September 19 on FY 2012 Fair Market Rents listed in the Federal Register, 8/19/11. Visit https://www.regulations.gov or https://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/fmr.html. Contact HUD User, 800-245-2691 or HUD program staff.

HANDBOOK EXPLAINS CLEAN-UP AFTER FLOODING. Intended to help residents and contractors remove mold and other contamination, Creating a Healthy Home: A Field Guide for Clean-up of Flooded Homes is free at https://www.nchh.org/. Agencies working directly with individuals impacted by floods can order printed booklets for distribution from the National Center for Healthy Housing, 877-312-3046.

HAC LAUNCHES SENIOR HOUSING INITIATIVE. Support from The Atlantic Philanthropies will be used to increase the capacity of organizations providing affordable housing for low-income rural seniors and to advocate for better and better-funded programs. To receive announcements about events and resources, contact Janice Clark, HAC, janice@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600 ext. 131.

HAC OFFERS TRAINING ON SENIOR HOUSING AND 502 PACKAGING, NOV. 8-10, SEATTLE Section 502 Packaging Certification Training for Nonprofit Organizations, Nov. 8-10, is for those who are familiar with the 502 direct loan program and anticipate seeking certification as loan packagers. Participants in this track are expected to attend the complete course and to take the online certification exam afterwards. Housing Seniors in Rural America: Aging in Place in a Shifting Landscape, Nov. 9-10, is a symposium featuring discussions, resources, and examples of successful practices. For more, check http://ruralhome.org/ later this week or contact Dan Stern, HAC, dan@ruralhome.org.