HAC News Archives

If you need information on affordable rural housing and rural America in a quick, easy-to-digest format, you need the HAC News.

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 https://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 https://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 https://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.

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, https://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, https://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 https://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.

HAC News: October 13, 2011

October 13, 2011/in HAC News

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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 https://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.

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 https://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 https://ruralhome.org or contact Dan Stern, HAC, registration@ruralhome.org.

HAC News: September 14, 2011

September 14, 2011/in HAC News

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September 14, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 19

• President’s job plan includes possible housing aid • Continuing Resolution expected to start FY12 • Senate committee’s FY12 rural housing spending levels higher than House’s • House subcommittee proposes HUD spending cuts • USDA and HUD testify against moving RHS to HUD • USDA offers RA and equity loans for preservation • Guidance issued on using Section 538 for Section 515 preservation • National poverty rate worsened in 2010

September 14, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 19

PRESIDENT’S JOB PLAN INCLUDES POSSIBLE HOUSING AID. Project Rebuild, part of the American Jobs Act described in President Obama’s September 8 speech and sent to Congress September 12, would hire unemployed workers to repair distressed properties, emphasizing commercial properties. Visit https://www.whitehouse.gov.

CONTINUING RESOLUTION EXPECTED TO START FY12. Funding bills, including those for USDA and HUD, are not likely to be complete by the beginning of fiscal year 2012 on October 1. Visit https://ruralhome.org for updates and https://thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app12.html for bill texts.

SENATE COMMITTEE’S FY12 RURAL HOUSING SPENDING LEVELS HIGHER THAN HOUSE’S. The Senate Ap-propriations Committee passed a bill September 7 that provides more funding for almost all USDA housing programs than the House, though less than FY11 appropriations. The Section 502 guarantee and Section 538 programs would remain at FY11 levels. The bill includes $30 million for Section 523 self-help, $2 million for multifamily preservation, and $904.7 million for Section 521 Rental Assistance. The $900 million for RA contract renewals is the amount pro-posed in the Administration’s budget, which assumed 300 properties (HAC estimates about 8,100 units) will leave the Section 515 and 514/516 programs in FY12.

USDA Rural Development Program (dollars in millions)	FY10 Approp.	FY11 Approp. (a)	FY12 Admin. Budget	FY12 Hse. Bill (H.R. 2112) (e)	FY12 Sen. Bill (H.R. 2112)
*Loans and Payments*
502 Single Fam. Direct	$1,121	$1,121	$211.4	$845.6	$900
502 Single Family Guar.	12,000	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000
504 Very Low-inc. Rpr.	34.4	23.4	0	0	10
514 Farm Labor Hsg.	27.3	(b)	27	(d)	23.4
515 Rental Hsg. Direct	69.5	69.5	95.2	58.6	64.5
538 Rental Hsg. Guar.	129.1	30.9	0	0	130
Rental Prsrv. Revlg. Lns.	1.8	1	0	0	0
Grants
504 Very Low-inc. Rpr.	31.6	(c)	11.5	32	27
516 Farm Labor Hsg.	9.9	(b)	9.8	(d)	8
523 Self-Help TA	41.9	37	0	22	30
533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants	9.4	(c)	0	0	7.3
521 Rental Assistance Preservation RA New Constr. 515 RA New Constr. 514/516 RA	980 (6) (2.03) (3.4)	955.6 0 (2.03) (3)	906.7 0 (3) (3)	890 0 (1.5) (2.5)	904.7 0 (2) (2)
542 Rural Hsg. Vouchers	16.4	14	16	11	11
Rental Prsrv. Demo. (MPR)	25	15	0	0	2
Rural Cmnty. Dev’t Init.	6.3	5	8.4	3	4.2
a. Figures shown do not include 0.2% across the board reduction. b. Budget authority (the cost to the government) in the farm labor housing account remains at FY10 levels, but loan costs have risen as interest rates have risen, so the 514/516 program levels could be somewhat lower. c. The Rural Housing Assistance Grants pool, which funds Section 504 loans, Section 533, and some other smaller programs, is reduced by $1.1 million from FY10 levels. d. The BA for Section 514 and 516 would fall from $9.7 million in FY11 to $2.5 million for FY12, but the House bill does not allocate amounts specifically for loans or grants. e. Figures shown do not include 0.78% across the board reduction.

HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE PROPOSES HUD SPENDING CUTS. On September 8 a House appropriations sub-committee passed an FY12 spending bill for HUD that would reduce funding for most programs and provide no funding for the Rural Innovation Fund or housing counseling. Dates have not been scheduled for consideration by the full House committee or by Senate appropriators.

HUD Program (dollars in millions)	FY10 Approp.	FY11 Admin. Budget	FY11 Proposed CR (H.R. 1)	FY12 Admin. Budget
Cmty. Devel. Block Grants	$4,450	4,380.1	1,500	3,781
Sustainable Commun. Initiative	(150)	(150)	0	(b)
Rural Innovation Fund (a)	(25)	0	25	25
Catalytic Investment Grants	–	(150)	–	0
HOME	1,825	1,650	1,650	1,650
Tenant-Based Rental Asstnce.	16,339	17,310	14,080	15,223
Project-Based Rental Asstnce.	8,551.5	9,382.3	8,882	9,035
Transforming Rental Asstnce.	–	350	–	200
Vets. Affairs Spptve Hsg. Vouchers	75	0	75	75
Public Hsg. Capital Fund	2,500	2,044	1,428	2,405
Public Hsg. Operating Fund	4,775	4,829	4,626	3,962
Public Hsg. Revtlztn. (HOPE VI)	135	0	0	0
Choice Neighbrhd. Initiative	65	250	65	250
Housing Trust Fund	–	–	–	1,000
Native Amer. Hsg. Block Grant	700	580	500	700
Homeless Assistance Grants	1,865	2,055	1,865	2,372
Hsg. Opps. for Persons w/ AIDS	335	340	335	335
202 Hsg. for Elderly	825	273	238	757
811 Hsg. for Disabled	300	90	90	196
Fair Housing	72	61	72	72
Rural Hsg. & Econ. Dev. (RHED) (a)	0	0	0	0
Healthy Homes & Lead Haz. Cntl.	140	140	120	140
Sustainable Housing & Communities (b)	–	–	0	150
Self-Help Homeownshp. (SHOP)	27	0	27	0
Brownfields Redevelopment	17.5	0	0	0
Housing Counseling	87.5	88	0	88
a. The Rural Innovation Fund replaced RHED. b. Funded as part of CDBG in 2010 and separately in the FY12 budget

USDA AND HUD TESTIFY AGAINST MOVING RHS TO HUD. Their statements were made at the House Financial Services Committee’s housing subcommittee’s second hearing, held September 8, on a draft bill that would move USDA’s Rural Housing Service to HUD (see HAC News, 5/25/11) and also change FHA and Ginnie Mae. At a September 13 House agriculture subcommittee hearing, RHS Administrator Tammye Treviño again made clear that the Administration opposes the idea. Visit https://ruralhome.org for a summary and links.

USDA OFFERS RA AND EQUITY LOANS FOR PRESERVATION. $3 million in Section 521 Rental Assistance and $10 million in equity loans are available to owners or nonprofit purchasers of Section 515 properties already on RD’s incentives waiting list. See August 8 Unnumbered Letter at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_UnnumberedList.html. Contact Cynthia L. Johnson, RD, 202-720-1940, cynthial.johnson@wdc.usda.gov.

GUIDANCE ISSUED ON USING SECTION 538 FOR SECTION 515 PRESERVATION. See August 16 Unnumbered Letter at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_UnnumberedList.html. Contact Tammy Daniels, RD, 202-720-0021, tammy.daniels@wdc.usda.gov.

NATIONAL POVERTY RATE WORSENED IN 2010. Visit https://ruralhome.org for a rural perspective on new poverty, income, and health insurance data from the Census Bureau, https://www.census.gov.

HAC News: August 31, 2011

August 31, 2011/in HAC News

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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 https://ruralhome.org/ later this week or contact Dan Stern, HAC, dan@ruralhome.org.

HAC News: August 18, 2011

August 18, 2011/in HAC News

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August 18, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 17

• New spending reduction process begins • White House Rural Council report and forum focus on jobsSection 514/516 Farm Labor Housing NOFA corrected • Multifamily exception authority requests must be complete, RD reminds field staff • Agencies request input on disposition of REO properties • Federal agencies renew commitment to environmental justice • RD to clarify calculation of student income • Farm loan claims packages available for Hispanic and women farmers • September 16 deadline for Native American trust account holders to file Cobell claims • African-American farmers being notified of Pigford II eligibility • Low-income families and children struggling, annual Kids Count data show • Energy efficiency finance options summarized in report

August 18, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 17

NEW SPENDING REDUCTION PROCESS BEGINS. The first stage of deficit reduction required by the Budget Control Act of 2011 allows more total domestic discretionary spending for FY12 than House appropriations bills had anticipated. The House is not expected to reconsider its USDA spending bill, passed June 16 (see HAC News, 6/22/11). The House has not yet acted on FY12 HUD funding, and the Senate must address both USDA and HUD. The second deficit reduction stage requires proposals from the new Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction by November 23. The 12 committee members include three Democrats and three Republicans from each house: co-chairs Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX); Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), John Kerry (D-MA), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Pat Toomey (R-PA); Reps. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Dave Camp (R-MI), James Clyburn (D-SC), Fred Upton (R-MI), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

WHITE HOUSE RURAL COUNCIL REPORT AND FORUM FOCUS ON JOBS. A new Jobs and Economic Security for Rural America report cites several HUD and foreclosure avoidance programs, mentions USDA housing programs, and acknowledges housing need in Indian Country. President Obama’s recent trip to Iowa included an August 16 White House Rural Economic Forum. Visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/rural-council.

SECTION 514/516 FARM LABOR HOUSING NOFA CORRECTED (see HAC News, 7/6/11). The maximum points for energy conservation for purchase and substantial rehab for an existing non-FLH property are increased from 16 to 32. The deadline remains August 22. See Federal Register, 8/18/11, https://www.grants.gov, or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_NOFAs.html. Contact an RD state office.

MULTIFAMILY EXCEPTION AUTHORITY REQUESTS MUST BE COMPLETE, RD REMINDS FIELD STAFF. An Unnumbered Letter dated July 19 emphasizes elements that must be included in a request for the housing administrator to grant an exception to regulations. Visit https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_UnnumberedList.html. Contact Melinda Price, 614-255-2403, melinda.price@wdc.usda.gov.

AGENCIES REQUEST INPUT ON DISPOSITION OF REO PROPERTIES. The Federal Housing Finance Agency, Treasury Department, and HUD are exploring alternatives for selling single-family real estate owned properties held by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA, including approaches that support rental and affordable housing needs. Visit https://www.fhfa.gov/Default.aspx?Page=360 or email reo.rfi@fha.gov.

FEDERAL AGENCIES RENEW COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. USDA, HUD, and 15 others signed a Memorandum of Understanding on August 4 related to the 1994 Executive Order that established the Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice. They will prepare strategies, release annual reports, and more to ensure equal treatment for all in environmental matters. Visit https://epa.gov/environmentaljustice/interagency.

RD TO CLARIFY CALCULATION OF STUDENT INCOME. The National Housing Law Project reports that RD will issue an Unnumbered Letter making clear that student income should be treated differently for those receiving USDA Rental Assistance than those with HUD Section 8. NHLP’s summary is posted at https://ruralhome.org.

FARM LOAN CLAIMS PACKAGES AVAILABLE FOR HISPANIC AND WOMEN FARMERS. Those who believe USDA improperly denied farm loan benefits to them between 1981 and 2000 because they are Hispanic or female can request claims packages at 1-888-508-4429 or https://www.farmerclaims.gov. No deadline is given.

SEPTEMBER 16 DEADLINE FOR NATIVE AMERICAN TRUST ACCOUNT HOLDERS TO FILE COBELL CLAIMS. A court-approved settlement in July resolved the Cobell case regarding federal government mismanagement of Native American trust funds. Visit https://www.indiantrust.com. Contact 1-800-961-6109, info@indiantrust.com.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN FARMERS BEING NOTIFIED OF PIGFORD II ELIGIBILITY. Notices are being sent to those who missed the claim deadline of October 12, 1999 in the original Pigford discrimination case against USDA. Claims packages are not yet available. Updates are posted at https://sustainableagriculture.net/blog/pigford-ii-settlement-update and https://www.blackfarmercase.com. Call 1-877-810-8110.

LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND CHILDREN STRUGGLING, ANNUAL KIDS COUNT DATA SHOW. The 2011 data book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation provides state-level figures. Visit https://www.kidscount.org for interactive data or to print or order the book. Contact webmail@aecf.org.

Energy efficiency finance options summarized in report. A new white paper from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy describes the types of initiatives offering financing for the residential and commercial sectors. Energy Efficiency Finance 101: Understanding the Marketplace is free at https://www.aceee.org. Contact ACEEE, 202-507-4000, aceeeinfo@aceee.org.

HAC News: August 3, 2011

August 3, 2011/in HAC News

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August 3, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 16

• Extent of debt ceiling deal’s impact on housing programs unclear • House subcommittee postpones second hearing on moving USDA rural housing to HUD • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau opens • HUD offers grants to develop regional plans integrating housing and other development • RD withdraws SAVE immigration verification requirement • Pilots to coordinate federal housing programs • HUD launches rental preservation website • Newsletter addresses low-income renters • Rental unit supply increased while affordable stock fell, HUD reports • Metro areas grew more than twice as fast as nonmetro during 2000’s • AT&T merger with T-Mobile may not help rural connectivity, analysis concludes • Follow HAC on Twitter

August 3, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 16

EXTENT OF DEBT CEILING DEAL’S IMPACT ON HOUSING PROGRAMS UNCLEAR. The Budget Control Act signed into law on August 2 will cut appropriations, but does not require all cuts to be proportionate across the board. One provision exempts some programs for low-income people from additional funding cuts that would be triggered if the new Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction does not cut enough, but housing aid is not exempted.

HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE POSTPONES SECOND HEARING ON MOVING USDA RURAL HOUSING TO HUD. The Financial Services Committee’s housing subcommittee scheduled a second hearing for August 3 but then postponed it indefinitely. The first hearing was held May 25 (see HAC News, 5/25/11).

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU OPENS. The new agency, which opened July 21, was created by the Dodd-Frank Act to protect consumers from abusive financial practices. It will oversee mortgage lending by all types of entities and will take over responsibility for enforcing related laws, some of which were listed in the Federal Register on 7/21/11, including HMDA, the SAFE mortgage licensing act, and RESPA. It will not have jurisdiction over the Community Reinvestment Act. Visit https://consumerfinance.gov.

HUD OFFERS GRANTS TO DEVELOP REGIONAL PLANS INTEGRATING HOUSING AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT. Regional Planning Grants are for consortia of local governments, planning agencies, tribes, and private entities; contact Dwayne S. Marsh, HUD, 202-402-6316, sustainablecommunities@hud.gov. Community Challenge Planning Grants will go to state and local governments, tribes, and consortia of those entities; contact Sunaree K. Marshall, HUD, 202-402-6011, sustainablecommunities@hud.gov. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm or https://www.grants.gov.

RD WITHDRAWS SAVE IMMIGRATION VERIFICATION REQUIREMENT. A July 18 Unnumbered Letter rescinds the June 9 UL requiring use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system to check the immigration status of Farm Labor Housing tenants (see HAC News, 7/6/11 and 7/20/11). Both ULs are available at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_UnnumberedList.html or from RD offices.

PILOTS TO COORDINATE FEDERAL HOUSING PROGRAMS. Officials from HUD, USDA RD, and state housing finance agencies have been working to better align their programs. Pilot efforts addressing physical inspections and subsidy layering reviews will begin soon. A White House summary, with links to more details, is at https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/07/27/federal-rental-alignment. Send comments to harmonization@hud.gov.

HUD LAUNCHES RENTAL PRESERVATION WEBSITE. Resources related to HUD-financed multifamily properties are collected at https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/mfh/presrv/presmfh.

NEWSLETTER ADDRESSES LOW-INCOME RENTERS. Tenant Talk, published by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, provides information on relevant federal government actions. Visit https://www.nlihc.org/template/page.cfm?id=275. To subscribe, email outreach@nlihc.org or call 202-662-1530 ext. 316.

RENTAL UNIT SUPPLY INCREASED WHILE AFFORDABLE STOCK FELL, HUD REPORTS. Two new studies using American Housing Survey data calculate that the national supply of rental units increased by an estimated 693,600 from 2007 to 2009. The stock affordable for residents with the lowest incomes fell by over 2 million units while significant shifts of units to higher rent categories occurred. The rate of unit loss was slightly higher in nonmetro areas than nationwide (2.1% compared to 1.6%). Components of Inventory Change and Rental Market Dynamics are posted at https://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/cinch/cinch09/cinch07-09.html. Contact HUD User, 1-800-245-2691.

METRO AREAS GREW MORE THAN TWICE AS FAST AS NONMETRO DURING 2000’S. First Results from the 2010 Census reports many rural areas lost population during the decade, either because people moved to metro areas or because metro areas expanded into previously rural territory. Metro areas grew by 11%, more than twice as fast as nonmetro places. Nationwide, 341 counties now have majority minority populations. Growth in the Hispanic population is particularly striking, says the report. The Population Reference Bureau study is free at https://www.prb.org/pdf11/reports-on-america-2010-census.pdf or $5.00 from PRB, 800-877-9881.

AT&T MERGER WITH T-MOBILE MAY NOT HELP RURAL CONNECTIVITY, ANALYSIS CONCLUDES. Despite AT&T statements regarding network development in rural America, the company’s past performance indicates disinterest in rural broadband investment, according to “If Phone Giants Merge: A Rural Take.” The July 18 Daily Yonder article is posted at https://www.dailyyonder.com/rural-outlook-phone-giants-merger/2011/07/04/3410.

FOLLOW HAC ON TWITTER. For rural housing updates between issues of the HAC News, follow @ruralhome at https://www.twitter.com.

HAC News: July 20, 2011

July 20, 2011/in HAC News

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July 20, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 15

• House postpones consideration of FY12 HUD funding • Subcommittee votes to eliminate National Housing Trust Fund • Section 515 funds offered • Household Water Well System Grants available • Continuum of Care applicant registration open • RD to withdraw SAVE immigration verification requirement for FLH • Comments on Con Plan changes invited • HUD explains public housing work preference policies • Four major lenders hold almost half of Section 502 guaranteed loans, NHLP reports • California public radio features self-help housing • 2010 Census data added to Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America • ERS reports on evidence of Delta Regional Authority’s impact • GAO considers Dodd-Frank’s possible effect on mortgage credit • Nominations sought for HUD planning award

July 20, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 15

HOUSE POSTPONES CONSIDERATION OF FY12 HUD FUNDING. The Transportation-HUD mark-ups scheduled for July have been postponed, with no new date established yet.

SUBCOMMITTEE VOTES TO ELIMINATE NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND. On July 12, a House Financial Services subcommittee approved a package of bills intended to dismantle Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including H.R. 2441, which would abolish the NHTF as well as the Capital Magnet Fund. Full committee consideration has not yet been scheduled. For details visit https://www.nhtf.org/template/page.cfm?id=40 and https://financialservices.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=250326.

SECTION 515 FUNDS OFFERED. Pre-applications are due August 29 for new construction or purchase and rehabilitation. Requests are capped at $1 million; $18 million is available for Section 515 as well as $2 million for new Rental Assistance. Points will be awarded for energy initiatives. See Federal Register, 7/13/11 or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_NOFAs.html. Contact a state RD office.

HOUSEHOLD WATER WELL SYSTEM GRANTS AVAILABLE. Rural Development offers grants to nonprofits that will make loans to homeowners to construct or repair household water wells for existing homes. Deadline is August 10. Visit https://www.grants.gov or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-individualwellsystems.htm. Contact Cheryl Francis, 202-720-1937, cheryl.francis@wdc.usda.gov.

CONTINUUM OF CARE APPLICANT REGISTRATION OPEN. Applicants must register in the e-snaps system by July 25 to be eligible for the FY11 funding competition. Visit https://www.hudhre.info. For assistance, contact a HUD CPD field office.

RD TO WITHDRAW SAVE IMMIGRATION VERIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR FLH. HAC has learned that RD plans to rescind its June 9 Unnumbered Letter requiring use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system to check the immigration status of Farm Labor Housing tenants (see HAC News, 7/6/11).

COMMENTS ON CON PLAN CHANGES INVITED. A forum is available until August 11 at https://www.hud.gov/ideasinaction for comments about the new data, mapping tool, and system upgrades HUD plans to implement.

HUD EXPLAINS PUBLIC HOUSING WORK PREFERENCE POLICIES. Notice PIH 2011-33, issued June 24, clarifies how work preference policies must operate if a public housing agency chooses to impose them for applicants on a public housing waiting list and for those already living in public housing. Contact a PHA or visit https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=pih2011-33.pdf.

FOUR MAJOR LENDERS HOLD ALMOST HALF OF SECTION 502 GUARANTEED LOANS, NHLP REPORTS. JP MorganChase Bank alone has made 246,000 of these loans, according to a National Housing Law Project analysis of data it obtained from USDA. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and US Bank hold a total of just under 100,000 loans. The data also showed that several state housing finance agencies participate in the program as lenders. “RHS Releases Data on Guaranteed Home Loan Program,” to be published in the Housing Law Bulletin, is available on HAC’s site, https://ruralhome.org.

CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO FEATURES SELF-HELP HOUSING. “Rural Homebuilding Project Faces Budget Axe” includes Self-Help Enterprises and USDA RD. Visit https://www.californiareport.org/archive/R201107180850/b.

2010 CENSUS DATA ADDED TO ATLAS OF RURAL AND SMALL-TOWN AMERICA. This online application provides county level data and maps on people, jobs, agriculture, and county characteristics. Visit https://www.ers.usda.gov/data/ruralatlas/.

ERS REPORTS ON EVIDENCE OF DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY’S IMPACT. Impacts of Regional Approaches to Rural Development: Initial Evidence on the Delta Regional Authority compares nonmetro counties covered by the DRA, which began funding rural development projects in 2002, with similar counties. Per capita income, net earnings, and transfer payments grew more rapidly in DRA counties than in similar non-DRA counties, and those impacts were stronger in counties in which DRA spending was higher. The report is online at https://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR119/.

GAO CONSIDERS DODD-FRANK’S POSSIBLE EFFECT ON MORTGAGE CREDIT. Mortgage Reform: Potential Impacts of Provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act on Homebuyers and the Mortgage Market discusses the Act’s qualified mortgage criteria, credit risk retention requirement, and provisions concerning homeownership counseling and regulation of high-cost loans. The report (GAO 11-656) is free at https://www.gao.gov or from GAO, 1-866-801-7077.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR HUD PLANNING AWARD. The HUD Secretary’s Planning and Empowerment Award, offered in partnership with the American Planning Association, honors excellence in community planning that has led to measurable benefits for low- and moderate-income residents. Deadline is Aug. 30. No entry fee is required. Visit https:// www.planning.org/awards. Contact Roberta Rewers, APA, 312-786-6395, rrewers@planning.org.

HAC News: November 30, 2011

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HAC News: September 28, 2011

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