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).

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