This publication reports the findings of HAC’s research on factors that have contributed to the decreasing rate of very low-income loan obligations and recommends strategies to address these challenges.
2010, 36 pages, ISBN 978-1-58064-164-7
Very Low-Income Loan Obligations Within USDA’s Section 502 Direct Homeownership Loan Program (PDF)
Access a pdf version of Rural Voices.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room, USDA’s announcement of regional meetings in a November 1 press release at https://www.usda.gov, and a HUD blog post at https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/press/blog.
NOVEMBER 14-20 IS NATIONAL HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK. Details from the National Coalition for the Homeless are posted at https://www.nationalhomeless.org/projects/awareness/index.html.
NEW CONGRESS MEANS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT KEY PLAYERS FOR HOUSING. The new 112th Congress next year will have many new chairs and members of committees that impact appropriations and authorizations for both USDA and HUD programs. Details are posted on HAC’s site, http://ruralhome.org.
FUTURE OF 2011 APPROPRIATIONS UNCLEAR. With a continuing resolution in effect until December 3, the current Congress reconvenes on November 15 for a lame duck session. It is currently unclear whether 2011 appropriations will be funded in an omnibus bill, a year-long continuing resolution, or another short-term CR until early next year. There also seem to be possibilities for inclusion of several pieces of authorizing legislation in an omnibus spending measure, but that too is uncertain. Watch HAC’s website at http://ruralhome.org for updates.
PRESERVATION REVOLVING LOAN FUND NOFA PUBLISHED. USDA Rural Development will grant funds to intermediary lenders for revolving funds to assist with preservation of Section 515 and 514/516 housing. Deadline is January 10. See Federal Register, 11/9/10, or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_NOFAs.html. Contact Timothy James, RD, 202-720-1094, timothy.james@wdc.usda.gov.
HUD OFFERS FSS AND ROSS FUNDS. PHAs can apply by December 6 for Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency funds; contact HUD’s Public and Indian Housing Resource Center at 800-955-2232. PHAs, THDEs, tribes, nonprofits, and resident groups can apply by February 21 for the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinators Program; contact Anice Schervish Chenault at Anice.S.Chenault@hud.gov or 202-402-2341. PHAs and TDHEs can apply by January 19 for ROSS FSS funds; contact Ms. Chenault. Visit https://www.grants.gov or https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail.
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR NATIVE CDFIS. Current or potential CDFIs that target at least 50% of their activities to Native Americans, Hawaiians, or Alaskans are eligible for financial or technical assistance grants. Deadline is December 22. Visit https://www.cdfifund.gov. Contact CDFI Fund staff, 202-622-6355, cdfihelp@cdfi.treas.gov.
NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND REGULATIONS PROPOSED. Comments are due December 28. A National Low Income Housing Coalition summary is at https://www.nlihc.org/detail/article.cfm?article_id=7443. See Federal Register, 10/29/10 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Marcia Sigal, HUD, 202-402-3002.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENERGY EFFICIENCY EFFORT LAUNCHED. Under a USDA-DOE partnership, contractors will inspect homes and make recommendations for energy retrofits. The program will be piloted in Indiana, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Homeowners may apply for existing RD energy efficiency program funding. USDA’s November 9 press release is in the newsroom at https://www.usda.gov.
RURAL CHILD POVERTY RATES AS HIGH AS 55.8%, CARSEY INSTITUTE REPORTS. Reviewing data for children under age 6, researchers found rural children poorer than those in central cities, with African Americans having the highest rates, followed by Hispanics and then whites. “The Unequal Distribution of Child Poverty: Highest Rates among Young Blacks and Children of Single Mothers in Rural America” is at https://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/.
JOINT CENTER CONSIDERS FUTURE OF LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT. A new Joint Center for Housing Studies paper entitled “Long-Term Low Income Housing Tax Credit Policy Questions” is available at https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/.
LENDING INFORMATION SCARCE FOR RURAL AREAS, HAC REPORTS. A new research note, “Improving HMDA: A Need to Better Understand Rural Mortgage Markets” is free at http://ruralhome.org or $1.00 from Lawrence Adams, HAC, lawrence@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.
| PREPARE FOR THE CONFERENCE ON TWITTER! HAC has launched a Twitter feed for the 2010 National Rural Housing Conference at @NRHC10. To get started, visit https://www.twitter.com. The conference will be held in Washington, DC, December 1-3. |
https://www.grants.gov and https://www.hudhre.info. The deadline remains November 18. Submit questions at https://www.hudhre.info/helpdesk/.
NSP3 INFORMATION PUBLISHED. A HUD notice provides the allocation formula and amounts, the list of grantees, alternative requirements, and the waivers of regulations for grantees under the third round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding. The program requirements in this notice apply to NSP1 also; the allocation and application information apply only to NSP3. See Federal Register, 10/19/10 or https://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/neighborhoodspg/index.cfm. Contact Stanley Gimont, HUD, 202-708-3587.
HUD OFFERS SNAPS-TA FUNDING. States, local governments, and nonprofits can apply by November 22 for funds to provide technical assistance for McKinney-Vento homeless programs or for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/grpsnaps-ta.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Contact Holly Kelly, HUD, Holly.A.Kelly@hud.gov, 202-402-6324.
CAPITAL FUND EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM NOFA RELEASED. The CFCF program will provide capital funding to PHAs for facilities to provide early childhood education, adult education, and job training programs for public housing residents. Deadline is January 14. Visit https://www.grants.gov or https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail. Contact Jeffrey Riddel, HUD, pihoci@hud.gov, 202-708-1640, ext. 4999.
FINAL RULE ALLOWS PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUNDS FOR FINANCING. Financing activities may include payment of debt service, and housing development and modernization activities. A PHA may grant a security interest in future Capital Fund grants. HUD is still considering the use of operating funds for financing activities. See Federal Register, 10/21/10 or https://www.hud.gov/hudclips. Contact Jeffrey Riddel, HUD, 202-708-1640, ext. 4999.
FEMA REQUESTS COMMENTS ON DISASTER HOUSING GUIDE. The Disaster Temporary Housing Operational guide, intended to present a comprehensive picture of FEMA housing assistance and support, is available at https://www.regulations.gov (docket ID FEMA-2010-0062). Comments are due November 22. Contact Stephen Miller, FEMA, 202-212-1000.
HUD FINALIZES VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT REGULATION. VAWA protects victims of domestic violence, including those living in public housing or participating in HUD’s tenant-based and project-based Section 8 programs. See Federal Register, 10/27/10, or https://www.hud.gov/hudclips. Contact HUD program staff.
GUIDANCE OFFERED ON FHA AND PROTECTING TENANTS AT FORECLOSURE ACT. HUD’s interpretive notice addresses differences between FHA regulations and the PTFA when an FHA mortgage is foreclosed. See Federal Register, 10/28/10 or https://www.hud.gov/hudclips. Contact Vance Morris, HUD, 202-708-1672.
USDA CALCULATES JOBS IMPACTED BY HOUSING SPENDING. A report on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act accomplishments says Section 502 direct loans saved or created 19,500 jobs and Section 502 guaranteed loans did the same for 125,000 jobs. The report includes data on USDA ARRA funds for each state and is free at https://www.usda.gov/documents/USDA_ARRA_AnnualReport_10192010.pdf.
GAO FINDS PROBLEMS IN AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING. A review found that many state and local governments’ Analyses of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice were out of date, and many current AIs did not provide timelines for addressing identified problems. Housing and Community Grants: HUD Needs to Enhance Its Requirements and Oversight of Jurisdictions’ Fair Housing Plans (GAO-10-905) is free at https://www.gao.gov or available for a fee from GAO, 202-512-6000.
RURAL CHDOS’ CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES DESCRIBED IN RURAL VOICES MAGAZINE. “Rural CHDOs: Building Capacity, Building Homes” is the fall issue of HAC’s quarterly magazine Rural Voices. This and back issues are free at http://ruralhome.org. One print subscription per organization is free from Lawrence Adams, HAC, 202-842-8600, lawrence@ruralhome.org.
| REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 1 TO GET EARLY BIRD RATES FOR HAC’S 2010 NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE! Visit http://ruralhome.org or contact staff at HACconference2010@ruralhome.org or 202-842-8600 ext. 137. |
Access a pdf version of Rural Voices.
. The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act (S. 118) and the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act (S. 1481) were approved by the Senate Banking Committee on September 30. S. 1481 is the same as H.R. 1675, which passed the House in July; S. 118 is similar to Title VII of H.R. 4868, which passed the House Financial Services Committee in July. Both bills may be enacted into law after Congress returns to work on November 15. Bills are available at https://thomas.loc.gov.
CRA REFORM LEGISLATION INTRODUCED. The American Community Reinvestment Reform Act, H.R. 6334, introduced on September 29 by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and others, would expand the Community Reinvestment Act to cover non-bank lenders, improve enforcement, and increase the importance of community development activities. The bill is available at https://thomas.loc.gov.
YOUTHBUILD FUNDS AVAILABLE. Public and private nonprofits can apply by December 3 for grants to provide disadvantaged youth with skills while improving housing. Visit https://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Fax questions to Ariam Ferro, DOL, 202-693-2705, labeled SGA/DFA PY 10-02 and including complete contact information.
CDFI PROGRAM 2011 ROUND OPENS. Applications are due November 19 for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund’s Financial Assistance and Technical Assistance aid. CDFIs can apply for only FA or TA, not both. A webinar, conference calls, and on-site workshops are available for potential applicants. See Federal Register, 10/6/10 or https://www.cdfifund.gov. Contact James Yagley, yagleyj@cdfi.treas.gov.
HUD OFFERS FAMILY UNIFICATION VOUCHERS. PHAs can apply by December 1. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/grpfup.cfm. Contact Amaris Rodriguez, 202-708-0477, amaris.rodriguez@hud.gov.
HUD REQUESTS INPUT ON PROPOSED SECTION 202 AND 811 LEGISLATION. Comments are due November 15 on proposals that would reform both programs, separate from the bills pending in Congress (described above). The Section 202 program’s 15% setaside for nonmetro areas would be eliminated, replaced by distribution based on housing needs. HUD’s proposals are posted at www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/202811/sec202reform.cfm and www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/202811/sec811reform.cfm. Contact Benjamin Metcalf, HUD, benjamin.t.metcalf@hud.gov or Leslie Strauss, HAC, leslie@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.
SECTION 8 RENEWAL POLICY GUIDE BOOK REVISIONS AVAILABLE. HUD seeks comments by November 15 on changes to its comprehensive guidance for renewing expiring Section 8 contracts, available at https://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/mfhsec8.cfm. Contact Kerry Mulholland, HUD, 202-708-3000, ext. 2649.
USDA OBLIGATED 85% OF SECTION 502 DIRECT FUNDS AVAILABLE IN FY 2010. A total of $2.144 billion were obligated, 55% more than the $1.39 billion committed in FY 2009. In 2010, very low-income borrowers received 36% of the total, less than the 40% required but the highest dollar amount USDA has ever spent in one year in the category. A National Rural Housing Coalition analysis is posted on HAC’s website, http://ruralhome.org.
NON-HOMEOWNERSHIP FACTORS MAY EXPLAIN BENEFITS TO CHILDREN, RESEARCHERS FIND. A Center for Housing Policy research brief summarizes three recent reports testing the hypothesis that homeownership directly leads to better outcomes for children. The studies found that what really matters are other factors such as residential stability, neighborhood quality, and the parents themselves. Foundation for Success? A Review of New Research on the Effects of Homeownership on Children is posted at https://www.nhc.org/publications/.
CASE STUDIES HIGHLIGHT LIVABILITY AND TRANSIT IN RURAL PLACES. Twelve case studies compiled by Transportation for America are available at https://t4america.org/tag/livability-case-studies/.
GAO REVIEWS WAYS OF DISTRIBUTING CDBG FUNDS. A new study examines how entitlement jurisdictions and states distribute CDBG monies and finds few issues related to methods of distribution. Community Development Block Grants: Entitlement Communities’ and States’ Methods of Distributing Funds Reflect Program Flexibility (GAO-10-1011) is free at https://www.gao.gov or available for a fee from GAO, 202-512-6000.
REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 1 TO GET EARLY BIRD RATES FOR HAC’S 2010 NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE! “A Place to Live: Rural Housing in a Changing Landscape” will be held December 1-3 in Washington, DC. Pre-conference activities begin November 30. Limited scholarships are available for nonprofits. Visit http://ruralhome.org or contact staff at HACconference2010@ruralhome.org or 202-842-8600 ext. 137.
As the population and economy of rural America is changing so too are rural homes. For the most part these changes have beenpositive as today more rural Americans live in safe, decent, and high quality housing than at any time. Despite this progress, far too many rural Americans live in substandard, unaffordable, or crowded homes. There are more than 111 million occupied housing unitsin the United States, roughly 25 million, or 22 percent of homes, are located in rural areas.
Improving HMDA: A Need To Better Understand Rural Mortgage Markets
Print copy: $1.00
This Rural Housing Research note describes The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) and provides an example of the limitations of available lending information for rural areas.
2010, 8 pages, ISBN 978-1-58064-167-8, Rural Housing Research Note.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/proclamations or in the Federal Register, 9/15/10.
FISCAL YEAR 2011 BEGINS WITH CONTINUING RESOLUTION. At press time, Congress is expected to pass a continuing resolution funding the federal government through December 3. Most programs will remain at FY10 levels. Check here for an update.
USDA COMMITTING SECTION 502 DIRECT LOANS WITHOUT APPRAISALS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30. Appraisals must be performed before loan closing. USDA RD’s Unnumbered Letter dated September 13 is available at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/ulseptember10.pdf or from RD offices.
RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE FUNDS AVAILABLE. RCDI funds intermediary organizations to provide financial and technical capacity building assistance to local groups. This year’s program includes a “Great Regions” initiative encouraging substantive economic growth, including job creation, in regions with fewer prospects and the greatest need for improved economic opportunity. Deadline is December 22. Visit https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm or https://www.grants.gov. Contact an RD State Office.
HUD OFFERS FUNDS FOR CONTINUUM OF CARE, HOUSING COUNSELING TRAINING. Both NOFAs are posted at https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail and www.grants.gov. The Continuum of Care deadline is November 18; contact a HUD field office. The counseling training deadline is October 29; contact Gerard P. Donahoe, Jr., Gerard.P.Donahoe@hud.gov, 202-402-3951.
LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION DEMO GRANT NOFA CORRECTED, DEADLINE EXTENDED. The new deadline is November 4 for some and October 22 for others. The Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program deadline remains October 15. See https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/grpleadcombo.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Contact Michelle Miller, HUD, Michelle.M.Miller@hud.gov, 202-402-5769.
HUD ASKS CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS GRANT APPLICANTS FOR ADVANCE NOTICE. Entities expecting to request either planning or implementation grants are asked – but not required – to notify HUD by October 7. See Federal Register, 9/24/10, or https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/grpchoice.cfm. Contact Caroline Clayton, HUD, Caroline.C.Clayton@hud.gov, 202-402-5461.
FINAL FAIR MARKET RENTS SET FOR FY11. On October 4 the final FMRs for Section 8 and other programs will be published in the Federal Register and at https://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/fmr.html. Until then, the notice is posted at https://www.ofr.gov/inspection.aspx.
REVISED DDA NOTICE PUBLISHED. HUD’s September 9, 2010 notice omitted the tables listing Difficult Development Areas for 2011. A corrected notice is available at https://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/qct.html or in the Federal Register, 9/21/10.
RURAL POVERTY INCREASED IN 2009. The Census Bureau reports in Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009 that the 2009 nonmetro poverty rate of 16.6% was higher than the national level and increased from 15.1% in 2008. Visit http://ruralhome.org for a HAC research note and a link to the Census report. • Separately, the Census Bureau released 2009 American Community Survey data, including poverty and housing figures, for places over 65,000 population. Data for smaller places will be released in December and January. Visit https://www.census.gov/acs/www/. A Census Bureau online tutorial that describes the ACS and how to find ACS data is available at https://www.census.gov/acs/www/guidance_for_data_users/e_tutorial/. • The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Center has been updated to include the 2009 ACS poverty data, and for the first time breaks down child poverty rates by congressional district. Visit https://datacenter.kidscount.org.
DATA ON NONMETRO JOB LOSS AND MIGRATION ANALYZED. USDA Economic Research Service’s Rural America at a Glance 2010, focusing on these topics, is at https://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/eib68/. The rural news website The Daily Yonder reports on ERS’s data and more at https://www.dailyyonder.com/rural-america-2010-%E2%80%94-jobs-and-migration/2010/09/18/2942 and https://www.dailyyonder.com/job-loss/2010/09/13/2935.
| REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 1 FOR HAC’S 2010 NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE! “A Place to Live: Rural Housing in a Changing Landscape” will be held December 1-3 in Washington, DC. Limited scholarships are available for nonprofits. Visit http://ruralhome.org or contact staff at HACconference2010@ruralhome.org or 202-842-8600 ext. 137. |
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