TOP STORIES 

Funding awards must align with administration’s priorities, executive order says

President Trump issued an executive order on August 7 requiring federal agencies to ensure their grants fit the administration’s priorities, can be terminated at any time by the administration, and are controlled by senior political appointees. Existing awards must be revised “to permit immediate termination for convenience.” Awards may not support racial preferences, transgender people, illegal immigration, or “any other initiatives that compromise public safety or promote anti-American values.” The order instructs agencies to make grants “to a broad range of recipients rather than to a select group of repeat players.” It also requires OMB to “appropriately limit the use of discretionary grant funds for costs related to facilities and administration.”

HUD to offer services and materials in English only

HUD Secretary Scott Turner announced on X that “HUD will solely use English for all Departmental business and services. We are one people, united, and we will speak with one voice and one language to deliver on our mission.” HUD will continue to provide communications services to people with disabilities. The change to English-only aligns with an executive order President Trump issued in March, making English the official language of the U.S.

RuralSTAT

According to the Census Bureau’s most recent Community Resilience Estimates for Heat, approximately 82% of rural and small-town census tracts experienced “extreme” heat exposure in 2022. Source: HAC tabulations of U.S. Census Bureau Community Resilience Estimate for Heat data.

CAPITOL HILL

Housing provisions may be added to must-pass legislation

Several senators have proposed to attach housing-related bills as amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, although they are not related to defense. NDAA is more likely to be passed by Congress than the housing provisions alone so, if these amendments are accepted, their chances of passage will increase. The ROAD to Housing Act, which incorporates the Rural Housing Service Reform Act and was approved by the Senate Banking Committee on July 29, is one of these amendments. Another is a package of provisions related to Community Development Financial Institutions, which includes authorization for USDA’s Section 502 Native CDFI relending program. The RHS Reform Act has also been recently reintroduced as a stand-alone measure in the House; it was reintroduced in the Senate in April.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

FEMA now requires email addresses for disaster survivors

As of August 12, FEMA requires disaster survivors to have email addresses in order to register for aid, Wired reports. The agency will communicate through email and online accounts and will make payments electronically.

Appeals court allows CFPB layoffs

Reversing a lower court decision from several months ago, an appellate court held on August 15 that federal courts cannot yet consider challenges to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau staff cuts and other actions to halt the agency’s work. Staffing actions must go through the civil service review process, the court said. It decided that charges about other activities could be heard only if they were claimed to be unconstitutional or if harmful results had already occurred. Since the decision was made by a three-judge panel, the plaintiffs can now appeal the ruling to the full appeals court for the District of Columbia circuit. If layoffs proceed, they will impact about 90% of the agency’s staff.

Judge restores funds for FEMA resilience program

The administration ended FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program earlier this year, but several states filed suit challenging that decision. On August 5, the judge hearing State of Washington v. FEMA issued a preliminary injunction barring the agency from spending BRIC’s funding for other purposes while court proceedings continue.

Rollins announces more Rural Development appointments

Glen Smith, whose background is in farming and agri-business in Iowa, is nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Rural Development. He will need to be approved by the Senate. Neal Robbins will become Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, a position not requiring Senate review. He is from North Carolina with public and private sector experience in manufacturing, rural economic development, and financial transactions. Anthony Priest, appointed Chief of Staff for the Rural Housing Service, has worked in real estate development, product development, and education.

Fair Market Rents published

HUD has released Fair Market Rents for fiscal year 2026. Comments are due September 22.

Solar for All program ends

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced on X and YouTube that his agency is ending the Solar for All program, one of three Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund programs. The administration previously moved to terminate the GGRF’s National Clean Investment Fund and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, and July’s big reconciliation bill repealed all three.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

High needs rural areas could be hit especially hard by reductions to Medicaid and SNAP

About 12 million households nationwide receive both Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The highest rates of dual enrollment are in Central Appalachia, the U.S.-Mexico border region, the Mississippi Delta, and parts of some large metropolitan areas, the Urban Institute reports. As a result, those areas are likely to be seriously impacted by the recently adopted budget reconciliation bill, which cuts both programs.

Brief advises funders on CDFIs’ role supporting affordable homeownership

The Asset Funders Network has released a new brief on the role of Community Development Financial Institutions in increasing homeownership. The brief and a related webinar provide an overview of the history and role of CDFIs in underserved communities, the ways in which CDFIs support clients through funding or other services, and a variety of strategies for philanthropy to help ensure the stability of CDFIs in the future as housing affordability continues to decrease and other funding streams become more limited. The materials include many rural examples.

Stories highlight the journey to retain property in rural Southeast

USA Today provides an in-depth look at the issue of heirs’ property and the challenges some families face in retaining and protecting their generational property. This two-part series describes Saul Blair’s efforts to preserve his family’s property in rural Georgia, purchased over 100 years ago by his great-grandfather following his emancipation from slavery.

Internet availability not enough without uptake

The Billion-Dollar Remote Work Opportunity that Rural America Can’t Reach, commentary published by Fortune, points out that internet usage/subscription rates are low in rural communities, even those where broadband is now available. Many residents – most often older – do not understand its value, although they could benefit from remote work and services like telemedicine. The author recommends a “social strategy,” perhaps including temporary free access, to overcome reluctance.

New research proposes Community Reinvestment Act reform

A new book, Ending Redlining Through a Community-Centered Reform of the Community Reinvestment Act, explains how financial institutions can invest in and respond to the needs of underserved neighborhoods. The publication includes case studies on CRA in rural America and Native American areas.

HAC

Rural Housing Service Awards nominations open

At the 2025 National Rural Housing Conference in November, HAC will present its prestigious Rural Housing Service Awards. These awards recognize individuals whose exceptional leadership, commitment, and lasting contributions have significantly advanced affordable housing and community development in rural America. Submit nominations here by August 29.

HAC is hiring

HAC job listings and application links are available on our website.

• Chief Financial Officer
• Social Enterprise Manager
• Housing Preservation Specialist

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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