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: June 22, 2011

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June 22, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 113

• House passes FY12 USDA funding bill without changes • HUD offers funds for Native institutions and Section 3 coordinators • Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant advance funding notice posted • White House Rural Council established • HUD will not implement Rural Housing Stability Program in FY11 • Habitat to package Section 502 and 504 direct applications • Guidance provided on closing MPR preservation transactions • RD instructs field staff on evaluating multifamily properties in default • HUD’s 2010 homeless assessment report shows progress and problems • Two studies document housing issues for people with disabilities • Fact sheet lists benefits of housing counseling • Congressional district profiles updated with Out of Reach 2011 data


June 22, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 113

HOUSE PASSES FY12 USDA FUNDING BILL WITHOUT CHANGES. On June 16 the House approved H.R. 2112 with a 0.78% across-the-board cut. Amendments to eliminate funding for Section 523 self-help housing were defeated by both the Subcommittee and Committee, and one to reduce funding for Section 504 grants was rejected on the House floor. Also defeated was an effort to move money from the Foreign Agricultural Service to Section 542 vouchers and USDA business programs. A funding table is at https://ruralhome.org and the bill’s text is at https://thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app12.html. The House will begin work on HUD funding in July. When the Senate begins action on FY12 appropriations bills it is expected to propose higher housing figures than the House.

HUD OFFERS FUNDS FOR NATIVE INSTITUTIONS AND SECTION 3 COORDINATORS. The deadline for Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Institutions Assisting Communities is August 1; contact Robert S. Kroll, HUD, 213-534-2601, robert.s.kroll@hud.gov. The deadline for entities receiving Section 3 funds to request coordinator funding is July 20; contact HUD’s fair housing office, 202-708-3633. Both notices are posted at https://www.grants.gov.

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES REGIONAL PLANNING GRANT ADVANCE FUNDING NOTICE POSTED. Pre-applications are not yet being accepted. Funds will be set aside for areas with populations under 500,000. Visit https://www.grants.gov or https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm. Contact sustainablecommunities@hud.gov.

WHITE HOUSE RURAL COUNCIL ESTABLISHED. The group, chaired by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, consists of numerous federal agencies. President Obama’s June 9 Executive Order is available at https://www.whitehouse.gov.

HUD WILL NOT IMPLEMENT RURAL HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAM IN FY11. HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs says the funding available this year will not allow HUD to implement many provisions of the HEARTH Act, including the Rural Housing Stability Program, although HUD is working on program regulations. SNAP’s May 16 update is posted at https://www.hudhre.info/hearth/.

HABITAT TO PACKAGE SECTION 502 AND 504 DIRECT APPLICATIONS. Rural Development and Habitat for Humanity have signed a memorandum of agreement intended to improve program access for Habitat participants, according to an Unnumbered Letter dated June 2, 2011 and posted at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/uljune11.pdf. Contact Brooke Baumann, RD, 202-690-4250.

GUIDANCE PROVIDED ON CLOSING MPR PRESERVATION TRANSACTIONS. An RD Unnumbered Letter dated May 31, 2011 includes a matrix showing what closing documents are needed for different types of transactions. Intended to supplement handbook HB-1-3560, the UL is posted at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments /ulmay11.pdf. Contact Bonnie Edwards-Jackson, RD, 202-720-0759, bonnie.edwards@wdc.usda.gov.

RD INSTRUCTS FIELD STAFF ON EVALUATING MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES IN DEFAULT. An Unnumbered Letter dated May 18, 2011 explains steps to be taken in evaluating and resolving servicing actions related to properties with defaulted Section 515 or 514 loans. Visit https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/ulmay11.pdf. Contact Stephanie White, RD, 202-720-1615.

HUD’S 2010 HOMELESS ASSESSMENT REPORT SHOWS PROGRESS AND PROBLEMS. HUD credits the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program with keeping the number of homeless persons unchanged from 2009 to 2010. Over 90% of HPRP clients exited the program to permanent housing. Between 2007 and 2010, however, the number of people using shelters in rural and suburban areas increased 57% and family homelessness increased 20%. 2010 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress is available at https://www.usich.gov.

TWO STUDIES DOCUMENT HOUSING ISSUES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. Renter households that include people with disabilities are more likely than other renters to face worst case housing needs, according to Worst Case Housing Needs of People with Disabilities – Supplemental Findings of the Worst Case Housing Needs 2009: Report to Congress, available at https://www.huduser.org/portal/publications/affhsg/wcn_disability.html. Supplemental Security Income payments are lower than HUD’s Fair Market Rents for one-bedroom or efficiency rentals in many states and metro areas nationwide, reports Priced Out in 2010 by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Housing Task Force and the Technical Assistance Collaborative, available at https://pricedout.tacinc.org.

FACT SHEET LISTS BENEFITS OF HOUSING COUNSELING. The Center for Housing Policy summarizes research on the impacts housing counseling has in reducing mortgage delinquency and foreclosure. Visit https://www.nhc.org/policy/Papers-Briefs-and-Fact-Sheets.html.

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT PROFILES UPDATED WITH OUT OF REACH 2011 DATA. The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s snapshots of housing needs in each congressional district and state are at https://www.nlihc.org.

HAC News: June 8, 2011

HAC News Formats. , Epub, Kindle

June 8, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 12

• Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Planning Grants offered • New Markets Tax Credits available • IRS hopes to encourage non-real estate NMTC investments • Comments deadline extended on QRM rule favoring 20% downpayments • OMB issues 2011 Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement • HUD requests comments on future regulatory reviews • FY11 median family incomes released • June is National Homeownership Month • State of the Nation’s Housing 2011 reports challenges for ownership, brightening in rental markets • Study deems U.S. implementation of human right to housing “unacceptable.” • Mississippi Delta housing featured in Rural Voices

HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES USDA FY12 FUNDING BILL. On May 31 the House Appropriations Committee approved the housing levels adopted by the Agriculture Subcommittee (see HAC News, 5/25/11). Amendments to eliminate funding for Section 523 self-help housing were offered and defeated at both the Subcommittee and Committee sessions. The bill, H.R. 2112, may be considered by the full House in June. It and the committee’s report are posted at https://thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app12.html.

CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE PLANNING GRANTS OFFERED. PHAs, local governments, nonprofits, and for-profits partnering with public entities can apply by August 8 for funds to create comprehensive plans to transform distressed communities. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Contact HUD staff, ChoiceNeighborhoods@hud.gov, 202-401-8812.

NEW MARKETS TAX CREDITS AVAILABLE. Community Development Entities, and those applying by June 22 for CDE certification, can apply for NMTC allocations by July 27. See Federal Register, 6/6/11 or https://www.cdfifund.gov. Contact CDFI Fund staff, cdfihelp@cdfi.treas.gov, 202-622-6355.

IRS HOPES TO ENCOURAGE NON-REAL ESTATE NMTC INVESTMENTS. Comments are due September 8 on a proposed regulatory change to encourage NMTC spending for non-real estate businesses in low-income communities. Suggestions of similar changes are due September 6. See two separate notices in the Federal Register, 6/7/11, or at https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Julie Hanlon-Bolton, IRS, 202-622-3040.

COMMENTS DEADLINE EXTENDED ON QRM RULE FAVORING 20% DOWNPAYMENTS. Comments are now due August 1 rather than June 10 on a regulation drafted by HUD, FHFA, and the federal bank regulators that would make non-governmental mortgages more expensive for lenders when downpayments are less than 20%. The rule would not impact USDA Section 502 direct and guaranteed, FHA, or VA loans. This provision is part of a lengthy “credit risk retention” regulation. See Federal Register, 4/29/11 or https://www.regulations.gov; the deadline extension is at https://www.occ.treas.gov/news-issuances/index-news-issuances.html. Contact Chris Downey, OCC, 202-874-4660, or Leslie Strauss, HAC, 202-842-8600, leslie@ruralhome.org. HAC will post its comments at https://ruralhome.org before August 1.

OMB ISSUES 2011 CIRCULAR A-133 COMPLIANCE SUPPLEMENT. This supplement applies to audits of states, local governments, and nonprofits for fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2010. Comments are due October 1. Visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a133_compliance_supplement_2011. Contact federal funding agencies for more information.

HUD REQUESTS COMMENTS ON FUTURE REGULATORY REVIEWS. HUD has drafted a plan for periodically analyzing its significant regulations (see HAC News, 3/2/11), and a list of rules to be examined, including those for Section 202, HOME, FHA, and public housing. Comment by August 1 on the plan and list (not the rules themselves). See Federal Register, 6/2/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Camille E. Acevedo, HUD, 202-708-1793.

FY11 MEDIAN FAMILY INCOMES RELEASED. HUD’s data for metro and nonmetro areas is available at https://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/il/il11/index.html.

JUNE IS NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a “Rural Housing /Rural Jobs” theme, highlighting housing’s contribution to local economies. USDA’s press release is posted at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov. For information on local events contact a USDA Rural Development state office.

STATE OF THE NATION’S HOUSING 2011 REPORTS CHALLENGES FOR OWNERSHIP, BRIGHTENING IN RENTAL MARKETS. The annual study from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies is available at https://www.jchs.harvard.edu or from JCHS, 617-495-7908.

STUDY DEEMS U.S. IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHT TO HOUSING “UNACCEPTABLE.” A National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty report card gives the U.S. failing grades on some aspects of its compliance with international standards for the human right to housing. The report calls for funding for homelessness prevention and housing, permanent protection for tenants of foreclosed properties, and a federal living wage. “Simply Unacceptable”: Homelessness and the Human Right to Housing in the U.S. is free at https://www.nlchp.org.

MISSISSIPPI DELTA HOUSING FEATURED IN RURAL VOICES. The summer issue of HAC’s quarterly magazine summarizes the results of a HAC survey of nonprofits in the region and offers articles written by local housing staffers about strategies used to address the Delta’s needs. Rural Voices is free at https://ruralhome.org. One print subscription per organization is free from Dan Stern, HAC, 202-842-8600, dan@ruralhome.org.

Housing Assistance Council
1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington DC 20005

HAC News: May 25, 2011

https://appropriations.house.gov.

USDA Rural Development Program
(dollars in millions)

FY10 Approp.

FY11
Approp. (a)

FY12 Admin. Budget

FY12 Hse. Subcmte. Proposal

Loans and Payments

502 Single Fam. Direct

$1,121

$1,121

$211.4

$845.6

502 Single Family Guar.

12,000

24,000

24,000

24,000

504 Very Low-inc. Rpr.

34.4

23.4

0

0

514 Farm Labor Hsg.

27.3

(b)

27

(d)

515 Rental Hsg. Direct

69.5

69.5

95.2

58.6

538 Rental Hsg. Guar.

129.1

30.9

0

0

Rental Prsrv. Revlg. Lns.

1.8

1

0

0

Grants

504 Very Low-inc. Rpr.

31.6

(c)

11.5

32

516 Farm Labor Hsg.

9.9

(b)

9.8

(d)

523 Self-Help TA

41.9

37

0

22

533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants

9.4

(c)

0

0

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)

542 Rural Hsg. Vouchers

16.4

14

16

11

Rental Prsrv. Demo. (MPR)

25

15

0

0

Rural Cmnty. Dev’t Init.

6.3

5

8.4

3

a. Figures shown do not include 0.2% across the board reduction.
b. Budget authority (BA, the cost to the government) in the farm labor housing account would remain 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 grants, 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 $19.7 million in FY11 to $12.5 million for FY12, but the bill does not allocate amounts specifically for loans or grants.

House subcommittee considers moving USDA rural housing to HUD. On May 25 the House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing on a draft bill entitled the “FHA-Rural Regulatory Improvement Act,” which would move USDA’s rural housing programs to a new office in HUD headed by a new Deputy Assistant Secretary for Rural Housing. The bill would also institute fees to make the Section 538 program self-supporting and make changes in FHA and Ginnie Mae. The draft bill is posted at https://financialservices.house.gov/UploadedFiles/fha_rural.pdf and hearing witnesses’ testimony is at http: //financialservices.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=241957.

Section 538 loan guarantees available. The May 26 Federal Register will announce that lenders can apply by Dec. 30 for multifamily rental housing loan guarantees. Funds will be committed first to approved applications from prior years. See Federal Register, 5/26/11, or https://www.grants.gov. Contact an RD State Office, https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html, or Monica Cole, USDA, monica.cole@wdc.usda.gov, 202-720-1251.

HUD offers FY11 funds for lead hazard programs, asthma interventions, HOPWA, Section 811. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm or https://www.grants.gov.

HOME program under scrutiny. Washington Post articles criticizing HOME for incomplete projects and unused funding are online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/2010/07/08/AFxelh3G_page.html. HUD’s response was posted May 19 at https://blog.hud.gov/. The House Financial Services Committee will hold an oversight hearing May 31, and the Senate Banking Committee is expected to schedule a hearing.

HAC News: May 11, 2011

https://www.nlihc.org/oor/oor2011/.

HOMEOWNERSHIP LESS AFFORDABLE FOR MINORITIES, RESEARCH SHOWS. Because of income differences among racial/ethnic minorities, 80.3% of homes sold in 2010 were affordable to families earning the median income for whites, compared to 53% for African Americans, 51% for Hispanics, and 58.7% for American Indians, according to a National Association of Home Builders study. Data are provided for the entire country and for large metro areas. Housing Opportunity Index by Race/Ethnicity 2011 is available at www.housingeconomics.com.

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR LEAD TECHNICAL STUDIES AND HEALTHY HOMES TECHNICAL STUDIES. Deadline is June 30. Contact Dr. Peter Ashley, peter.j.ashley@hud.gov, 202-402-7595. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm or https://www.grants.gov.

USDA NATIVE AMERICAN FARMER SETTLEMENT RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL. On April 28, a federal court approved an agreement requiring USDA to pay $760 million in damages and debt relief for discrimination against American Indian farmers and ranchers. The Justice Department’s press release is at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/April/11-ag-551.html and information about the Keepseagle v. Vilsack case, including the final court order and instructions for claimants, is at https://www.indianfarmclass.com. This case is separate from Cobell v. Salazar, which addressed Indian trust land issues (see HAC News, 12/8/10).

HUD REQUESTS INPUT ON CONPLAN IMPROVEMENTS. Visit https://www.hud.gov/ideasinaction or email conplan.mailbox@hud.gov to provide ideas and feedback about making ConPlans more useful to HUD grantees and about data and mapping to help prepare ConPlans. PowerPoint slides about new data and mapping tools are at www.hometa.info/media/conf/Consolidated.pdf and a mapping prototype is at https://egis.hud.gov/cpdmaps.

DISASTER RECOVERY ASSISTANCE OFFERED. Information about applying for aid in federally declared disaster areas is available at https://www.fema.gov or from 1-800-621-3362. To locate a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, call that number or visit https://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm. Find a Red Cross shelter at https://app.redcross.org/nss-app/ or call a local Red Cross chapter. Find a state emergency management agency at https://www.fema.gov/about/contact/statedr.shtm. Other government resources are collected at https://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/PublicSafety/Disasters.shtml, or call 1-800-FED-INFO (1-800-333-4636). The Federation of Southern Cooperatives is assisting communities around Tuscaloosa; for details see https://www.federation.coop or call 205-652-9676.

TAX CREDITS’ IMPACT ON LOW-INCOME RURAL HOUSEHOLDS EXAMINED. A USDA Economic Research Service report finds that expansions to both the refundable and nonrefundable portions of the Earned Income and Child Tax credits have provided a major source of income support for low-income rural workers and their families, especially in the South where the rural poor are concentrated. Federal Tax Policies and Low-Income Rural Households is free at https://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB76/.

CENSUS BUREAU RELEASING 2010 STATE DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILES. State profiles being released throughout May provide homeownership and vacancy rates, type of household, race and ethnicity, and population distribution by age, and are available at https://factfinder2.census.gov under “News and Notes.”

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR FAMILIES SHRINKING AS PERMANENT HOUSING INCREASES. Policy shifts favoring emergency shelter and rapid re-housing are taking effect, reports the Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness, reducing the availability of transitional housing and the services it provides, such as vocational training, employment counseling, and parenting classes. “The Beginning of the End of Transitional Housing?” includes state-by-state data and is available at https://www.icphusa.org/PDF/reports/ICPH_TransitionalHousing.pdf.

ONLINE RESOURCES EXPLAIN RULES FOR ADVOCACY BY NONPROFITS. Information about IRS rules and guidelines, what is permissible, and available training and technical assistance resources is provided by the Alliance for Justice at https://www.afj.org/for-nonprofits-foundations/ and by Independent Sector at https://www.independentsector.org/advocacy.

HAC News: April 27, 2011

HOUSE PASSES BUDGET RESOLUTION WITH SIGNIFICANT CUTS. H.Con.Res. 34, the FY12 budget guidelines introduced by Budget Committee chair Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), passed the House on April 15. See HAC News, 4/13/11, for a summary and https://thomas.loc.gov for the bill’s text. A Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analysis of how these guidelines might affect housing and community development programs is at https://www.cbpp.org/files/4-26-11hous-pc.pdf.

FY11 NOFAS RELEASED FOR INDIAN CDBG, FSS, ROSS. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Deadline for Indian Community Development Block Grant applications is June 15; contact is Roberta L. Youmans, roberta.l.youmans@hud.gov, 202-402-3316. Deadline for Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency program is June 8; contact HUD’s Public and Indian Housing Resource Center, 800-955-2232. Apply by June 29 for Public and Indian Housing FSS or by July 13 for the ROSS Service Coordinators program; contact Anice S. Chenault, anice.s.chenault@hud.gov, 202-402-2341.

HUD EXPLAINS HOUSING COUNSELING PROGRAM FUNDING. A “frequently asked questions” document says that although the program was funded in the continuing resolutions covering the first half of FY11, the elimination of funding in the final CR means there is no HUD housing counseling appropriation for FY11. FY10 grants, announced in December, are not affected. HUD hopes to make available “limited funding” from previous years. See https://www.nlihc.org/doc/FY11-Housing-Grant-Cuts-FAQ.pdf.

USDA REQUESTS COMMENTS ON SIMPLIFYING REGULATIONS. USDA is reviewing its existing regulations to identify areas where it can simplify and reduce the reporting burden on the public, while also reducing its administrative and operating costs. RD is particularly interested in hearing how to streamline application procedures to reflect the size and risk of certain types of loans and grants. The notice includes a list of questions for commenters. Deadline for comments is May 20. See Federal Register, 4/20/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Julie Hetrick, USDA, 202-720-1269.

RENTAL AFFORDABILITY PROBLEMS WORSENING, STUDY SAYS. America’s Rental Housing: Meeting Challenges, Building on Opportunities reports a record number of renters are paying more than half their incomes for housing and predicts economic recovery will further tighten rental markets, especially for those with the lowest incomes. The report, by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, is free at www.jchs.harvard.edu. Contact the Joint Center, 617-495-7908.

HUD RESEARCH FINDS ADDING ASSISTED HOUSING REDUCES WORST CASE NEEDS. An analysis of data for metro areas concluded that when units of assisted housing are added to a market, there is a commensurate reduction in the number of households with worst case needs (unassisted renter households with very low incomes who pay more than 50% of income for housing or live in severely inadequate conditions or both). Various methods found that 68 to 94 of every 100 newly assisted units went to tenants with worst case needs. Reduction of Worst Case Housing Needs by Assisted Housing is free at https://www.huduser.org. Contact HUD User, 800-245-2691.

EXPANDED WEBSITE PROVIDES TAX CREDIT INFORMATION. Research and resources on state and federal Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits, Child and Dependent Care Tax Credits, and Property Tax Circuit Breakers are collected at https://www.taxcreditsforworkingfamilies.org.

FORECLOSURE RISK SCORES AVAILABLE BY ZIP CODE. Data developed by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation showing relative risk of foreclosures throughout each state and metro area are posted at https://www.foreclosure-response.org/maps_and_data/lisc_data.html. Additional delinquency and foreclosure data are also available at https://www.foreclosure-response.org.

2011 ADVOCATES’ GUIDE TO HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICY AVAILABLE. The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s annual publication covers federal programs and issues and is free at https://nlihc.org/template/page.cfm?id=274. For print copies, contact Sarah Brundage, NLIHC, sarah@nlihc.org.

U.S. WEALTH DISTRIBUTION MORE UNEQUAL THAN DISTRIBUTION OF WAGES OR INCOME. An Economic Policy Institute study reports the top 5% of U.S. households hold 63.5% of the country’s wealth. From 2007 to 2009, average annualized household declines in wealth were 16% for the richest fifth of Americans and 25% for the other four-fifths. The median net worth of black households was $2,200 in 2009, the lowest ever recorded. EPI writes that the imbalance explains why the economic recovery is affecting different income levels differently. The State of Working America’s Wealth and related reports are free at https://www.epi.org/pages/epinews.

HAC News: April 13, 2011

https://ruralhome.org.

USDA Rural Development Program
(dollars in millions)

FY10
Approp.

FY11 Admin.
Budget

FY11 Proposed CR
(H.R. 1)

FY 11 Final CR
(H.R. 1473) a

FY 2012 Admin. Budget

Loans

502 Single Fam. Direct

$1,121

$1,200

$1,121

$1,121

$211.4

502 Single Family Guar.

12,000

12,000

12,000

24,000

24,000

504 Very Low-inc. Repair

34.4

34

34

23.4

0

514 Farm Labor Hsg.

27.3

27

27.3

b

27

515 Rental Hsg. Direct

69.5

95.2

69.5

69.5

95.2

538 Rental Hsg. Guar.

129.1

129.1

129.1

30.9

0

Rental Prsrv. Revlg. Loans

1.8

0

0

1

0

Grants & Payments

504 Very Low-inc. Repair

31.6

31

31.6

c

11.5

516 Farm Labor Hsg.

9.9

10

9.9

b

9.8

523 Self-Help TA

41.9

37

37

37

0

533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants

9.4

9.4

9.4

c

0

521 Rental Assistance (1-yr. contracts)
Preservation RA
New Construction 515 RA
New Construction 514/516 RA

980
(6)
(2.03)
(3.4)

966
0
(3)
(3)

955.6
0
(2.03)
(3)

955.6
0
(2.03)
(3)

906.7
0
(3)
(3)

542 Rural Hsg. Vouchers

16.4

18

16.4

14

16

Rental Prsrv. Demo. (MPR)

25

0

0

15

0

Rural Community Development Initiative

6.3

0

0

5

8.4

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 would remain 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 CR provides for a reduction of $1.1 million in the Rural Housing Assistance Grants pool, which funds Section 504 grants, Section 533, and some other smaller programs.

FY11 DEAL CUTS MANY HUD PROGRAMS. The funding compromise eliminates HUD’s Housing Counseling program and Rural Innovation Fund. Section 202 elderly housing and Section 811 housing for people with disabilities would be halved. CDBG, HOME, public housing, NAHASDA, and some others would be reduced. Details are shown in the table below (parentheses indicate amounts that are included in totals). For more information visit HAC’s website, https://ruralhome.org.

HUD Program
(dollars in millions)

FY 2010 Approp.

FY11 Admin. Budget

FY11 House
Proposed CR
(H.R. 1)
FY11
Final CR
(H.R. 1473) (d)
FY12 Admin. Budget

Cmty. Devel. Block Grants

Sustainable Commun. Init.
Rural Innovation Fund (a)
Catalytic Investment Grants (b)

$4,450

(150)
(25)

$4,380.1

(150)
0
(150)

$1,500

0
(25)
0

$3,508

(100)
0
0

$3,781

0
(25)
0

HOME

1,825

1,650

1,650

1,610

1,650

Tenant-Based Rental Asstnce.
Vets. Affairs Supprtve Hsg Vouchers

18,184
(75)

19,551
0

18,080
(75)
18,408
(50)
19,223
(75)

Project-Based Rental Asstnce.

8,551.5

9,382.3

9,282 8,882 9,429

Transforming Rental Asstnce. (b)

350 0 0 200

Public Hsg. Capital Fund

2,500 2,044 1,428 2,044 2,405

Public Hsg. Operating Fund

4,775 4,829 4,626 4,626 3,962

Public Hsg. Revtlztn. (HOPE VI)

135 0 0 100 0

Choice Neighbrhd. Initiative (c)

65 250 65 0 250

Housing Trust Fund

1,000 0 0 1,000

Native Amer. Hsg. Block Grant

700 580 500 650 700

Homeless Assistance Grants

1,865 2,055 1,865 1,905 2,372

Hsg. Opps. for Persons w/ AIDS

335 340 335 335 335

202 Hsg. for Elderly

825 273 238 400 757

811 Hsg. for Disabled

300 90 90 150 196

Fair Housing

72 61 72 72 72

Healthy Homes & Lead Hazard Cntl.

140 140 120 120 140

Sustainable Communities Initiative

0 150

Self-Help Homeownshp. (SHOP)

27 0 27 27 0
Brownfields Redevelopment 17.5 0 0 0 0

Housing Counseling

87.5 88 0 0 88

a. Replaces the Rural Housing & Economic Development program.
b. New programs proposed by the Administration.
c. Demonstration initially proposed in FY 2010 budget to replace HOPE VI.
d. Figures shown do not include 0.2% across the board reduction

PROPOSALS FOR FY12 FUNDING PROVIDE FEW HOUSING DETAILS. The FY12 spending plans currently under discussion are intended to provide general spending ceilings for congressional appropriations deliberations, so they do not include full details. The House and Senate are not likely to agree on a final budget resolution, but the FY12 appropriations process can move forward without it. H. Con. Res. 34, introduced by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), chair of the House Budget Committee, suggests time limits and work requirements for housing aid recipients, as well as “narrowing the gap between assisted renters and unassisted renters with the same income levels,” and is available at https://budget.house.gov. President Obama’s proposal, issued on April 13, is summarized in a fact sheet at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-and-releases, which refers to the Bowles-Simpson Fiscal Commission report at https://www.fiscalcommission.gov. Neither provide any specifics about housing. A Senate proposal is expected in early May.

HUD OFFERS FUNDS FOR SECTION 811, HEALTHY HOMES, AND HOMELESS FAMILIES RESEARCH, AND POSTS FY11 NOFA GENERAL SECTION. These NOFAs are available at https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants /fundsavail.cfm and https://www.grants.gov.

HAC FACT SHEET DESCRIBES SELF-HELP PROGRAM’S IMPORTANCE FOR MINORITIES. USDA’s Self-Help Housing Program Supports Minority Homeownership notes that minorities comprise a significant proportion of participants in USDA’s self-help program and recommends maintaining FY10 funding levels for the Section 502 direct and 523 programs. It is available free at https://ruralhome.org.

HAC News: March 31, 2011

https://appropriations.house.gov (go to the Agriculture Subcommittee page and click “Related Documents”). Written testimony from others will be accepted until April 14. Submission instructions are at https://appropriations.house.gov, or call staff, 202-225-2638.

GAO SUGGESTS IMPROVEMENTS IN FARM LABOR HOUSING PROGRAM. The Government Accountability Office examined demand for the Section 514/516 program, RD’s oversight processes, and existing properties’ financial status. Rural Housing Service: Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Farm Labor Housing Program Management and Oversight (GAO-11-329) is available free at https://www.gao.gov or for a fee from GAO, 866-801-7077.

DONATED MANUFACTURED HOMES FOR NATIVE AMERICANS ELIGIBLE FOR SECTION 502 LOANS. HUD is transferring free homes, donated by FEMA, to tribes. Section 502 loans can be used to cover transportation and set-up costs. An Unnumbered Letter dated March 14, 2011 reminds RD offices of requirements for manufactured homes and is available at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/ulmarch11.pdf or from RD offices.

RD ENCOURAGES LOCAL OFFICES TO PARTNER FOR REPLACEMENT OF OLD MOBILE HOMES. Local offices are urged to support efforts by nonprofits and government entities to provide new manufactured housing to replace mobile homes built before the HUD Code came into effect in 1976. See Unnumbered Letter (March 15, 2011), available at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/ulmarch11.pdf or from RD offices. Contact Christopher Ketner, RD, 202-690-1530, christopher.ketner@wdc.usda.gov.

USDA SECRETARY APPOINTS MINORITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The Minority Farmer Advisory Committee will help implement outreach and assistance efforts to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, promote their participation in USDA programs, and support civil rights activities within the department. USDA’s press release is at https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDAOC-52d34.

OMB REQUESTS COMMENTS ON COSTS AND BENEFITS OF REGULATIONS. Draft 2011 Report to Congress on the Benefits and Costs of Federal Regulations and Unfunded Mandates on State, Local, and Tribal Entities is available for review at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/inforeg_regpol_reports_congress/. Comments are particularly requested on how to improve retrospective analysis of existing rules, and are due May 16. See Federal Register, 4/1/11. Contact OMB, 202-395-3741.

RENTAL HOUSING DATA PROFILES FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS UPDATED. The National Low Income Housing Coalition has added new data to provide snapshots of housing needs in each congressional district and state. The profiles include renter cost burden levels, overcrowding and incomplete plumbing rates, and more. Visit https://www.nlihc.org/detail/article.cfm?article_id=3810&id=61.

RURAL VOICES FEATURES SELF-HELP SUCCESSES. A special edition of HAC’s quarterly magazine describes the benefits of USDA’s Section 523 self-help housing program coupled with Section 502 direct mortgages. Current and past 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.

GET THE HAC NEWS SOONER – GET IT BY EMAIL. To subscribe, visit https://lists.ruralhome.org/lists/info/hac_news. To be removed from the postal mailing list, send a request to dan@ruralhome.org.

HAC News: March 16, 2011

https://rules.house.gov. HAC will post updates at https://ruralhome.org.

HOUSE VOTES TO TERMINATE MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND NSP. The FHA Refinance Program Termination Act (H.R. 830) passed the House on March 10. At press time on March 16 the House was considering the NSP Termination Act (H.R. 861), which would rescind the third round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding and terminate the program, and the HAMP Termination Act (H.R. 839), which would end the Home Affordable Modification Program although assistance would continue to be available for homeowners with commitments. The bills’ texts are available at https://thomas.loc.gov.

SECTION 202 FUNDS OFFERED. Apply by June 1 for capital advances and rental assistance to develop supportive housing for very low-income seniors age 62 and higher. Visit www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm or www.grants.gov. Contact a local HUD Office or Alicia Anderson, HUD, 202-708-3000.

USDA RD ENDS SETASIDES OF SECTION 502 LOANS FOR SELF-HELP. An Unnumbered Letter dated February 28, 2011 notifies field staff that “only those purposes specifically authorized in the Housing or Appropriation Acts will be set aside for Fiscal Year 2011. The past practice of maintaining National Office set asides for Self Help and other purposes will not be continued in FY 2011.” The UL is available at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments /ulfebruary11.pdf or from RD offices.

HUD REACTIVATES EMERGENCY HOMEOWNERS’ LOAN PROGRAM, HOUSE VOTES TO ELIMINATE IT. Originally created in the 1970s, the program received $1 billion in funding from the Dodd-Frank Act to provide emergency mortgage relief to unemployed or underemployed homeowners at risk of foreclosure. The program will be administered by states that have substantially equivalent programs and by NeighborWorks® America in other states. Comments are due May 3 on the EHLP interim rule. See Federal Register, 3/4/11, or https://www.regulations.gov. Potential applicants should contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency or a NeighborWorks National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program site. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/ehlp/ehlphome.cfm or call HUD’s housing counseling office, 1-800-569-4287. On March 11 the House approved H.R. 836, which would rescind the program’s funding and terminate the program. Visit https://thomas.loc.gov.

REVISIONS PROPOSED FOR ADDRESSING MANUFACTURED HOME PROBLEM REPORTS. HUD is considering changes to regulations concerning how manufacturers and others address reports of problems with manufactured homes, including imminent safety hazards and violations of the HUD Code, but not normal wear and aging, unforeseeable consumer abuse, or unreasonable neglect of maintenance. Comments are due April 18. See Federal Register, 2/15/11, or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact HUD’s Office of Manufactured Housing Programs, 202-708-6401.

TELECONFERENCES SET ON SECTION 538 GUARANTEE PROGRAM. USDA RD will hold stakeholder calls in June and October. See Federal Register, 2/15/11. To register, contact Monica Cole, RD, phone 202-720-1251, fax 202-205-5066, monica.cole@wdc.usda.gov.

COMMENTS SOUGHT ON FAIR MARKET RENTS TREND FACTOR. Comment by April 8 on HUD’s proposed alternatives to the current factor used to trend FMRs to current rental rates. See Federal Register, 3/9/11 or https://www.regulations.gov or https://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/fmr.html. Call HUD USER, 1-800-245-2691.

NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND FAQ REVISED. The National Housing Trust Fund campaign’s updated answers to frequently asked questions include HUD’s proposed regulations and other new developments, available at https://www.nlihc.org/doc/NHTF-FAQ.pdf.

HAC PUBLISHES NEW FAIR HOUSING ANALYSIS. HAC analyzed over 91,000 fair housing complaints in a HUD dataset that includes violations filed with HUD and FHAP agencies from FY98 to FY08. The reasons for complaints are generally similar in urban and rural areas, with disability replacing race during the past five years as the most common basis for complaint. The report includes advice from experienced rural fair housing providers. Rural Fair Housing Complaints and Enforcement is free at https://ruralhome.org or $5 from Janice Clark, HAC, janice@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

HAC News: March 2, 2011

FY11 SPENDING CONTINUES UNTIL MARCH 18. President Obama is expected to sign H.J. Res. 44, approved by the House on March 1 and by the Senate on March 2. This latest in a series of Continuing Resolutions will extend most FY11 spending at FY10 levels through March 18. It provides no funding for earmarks and for some programs that were targeted for elimination in the Administration’s budget, including HUD’s Economic Development Initiative and Neighborhood Initiatives. HAC will post updates at https://ruralhome.org.

IDA FUNDING AVAILABLE. The Assets for Independence Program run by the Department of Health and Human Services offers grants to nonprofits, state and local governments, community development credit unions, and CDFIs to provide Individual Development Accounts and supportive services. Deadlines are March 31 and May 25. For details and to register for applicant webinars, visit https://www.IDAresources.org. Contact the AFI Resource Center, HHS, info@IDAresources.org, 1-866-778-6037 (toll free).

USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON DRAFT ACTION PLAN FOR TRIBAL CONSULTATION AND COLLABORATION. The final policy will guide all USDA agencies as they work with tribes. Comments are due March 25. Visit https://www.tinyurl.com/usdatribal. Contact USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations, tribalconsultation@usda.gov, 202-205-2249.

HUD REQUESTS INPUT ON REVIEWING REGULATIONS. Comments are due May 2 regarding HUD’s development of a plan for periodically analyzing significant HUD regulations and identifying specific regulations that may be outdated, ineffective, or excessively burdensome. See Federal Register, 3/2/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Camille E. Acevedo, HUD, 202-708-1793.

INTERIM RULE REVISES PHAS. Changes are intended to enhance the efficiency and utility of HUD’s Public Housing Assessment System. Comments are due April 25. See https://www.regulations.govor https://www.hud.gov/offices/reac/. Contact Claudia Yarus, HUD, 202-475-8830.

USDA OFFERS CLAIMS PROCESS FOR HISPANIC AND WOMEN FARMERS AND RANCHERS. Those who believe they were unjustifiably denied farm loan program benefits between 1981 and 2000 because of their ethnic background or gender may file claims with USDA. Call 1-888-508-4429 (toll free) or visit https://farmerclaims.gov.

GAO SAYS DUPLICATION CAN BE REDUCED IN FEDERAL HOMELESSNESS PROGRAMS AND OTHERS. A new Government Accountability Office report identifies 81 areas where federal efforts are duplicated or fragmented, or where costs could be reduced or revenues increased, including homelessness: seven agencies administer over 20 housing or shelter programs, and others fund supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. Past GAO research addressing this overlap included a July 2010 study of rural homelessness (see HAC News, 8/18/10). No other housing programs are mentioned. The report also notes efforts in multiple depart-ments to meet water needs in the U.S.-Mexico border region and to enhance economic development (including HUD and USDA RD programs), and problems with FEMA’s coordination of disaster preparedness grants. Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in Government Programs, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue (GAO-11-318SP) is available free at https://www.gao.gov or at cost from GAO, 1-866-801-7077 (toll free).

USDA MAPS RURAL COUNTY CHARACTERISTICS. An online, interactive Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America maps unemployment, population data, homeownership, and many other characteristics. Specific data are shown by clicks on the map. Visit https://ers.usda.gov/data/ruralatlas/.

HUD LAUNCHES NEW HOME TA WEBSITE, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON CONFERENCE. HOME funding recipients can find information about training and technical assistance resources, including the program’s 20th anniversary conference, May 2-4 in Washington, DC, at https://www.hometa.info/.

EVIDENCE SUMMARIZED ON ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. The Role of Affordable Housing in Creating Jobs and Stimulating Economic Development is free from the Center for Housing Policy, https://www.nhc.org/The-Role-of-Affordable-Housing-in-Creating-Jobs-and-Fostering-Economic-Growth.html.

HAC UPDATES FORECLOSURE RESEARCH. New Neighborhood Stabilization Program data provide information about delinquency and foreclosure rates in each census tract. HAC’s research note entitled Foreclosure in Rural America: An Update includes recommendations for rural homeowners with conventional loans, manufactured home loans, and USDA loans, and is free at https://ruralhome.org or $2.00 from Janice Clark, HAC, 202-842-8600.

HAC EXAMINES MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITY CONVERSION TO RESIDENT OWNERSHIP. Preserving Affordable Manufactured Home Communities in Rural America: A Case Study is free at https://ruralhome.org or $2.00 from Janice Clark, HAC, 202-842-8600.

HAC News: February 16, 2011

https://ruralhome.org. Budget documents are posted at https://www.omb.gov, https://www.hud.gov, and https://www.usda.gov.

USDA rural housing: H.R. 1 would keep most USDA rural housing programs at or near FY10 funding levels, although it would eliminate rental preservation funds except for vouchers. The Administration’s budget would slash Section 502 direct loans from $1.1 billion to $211 million, eliminate the Section 523 self-help technical assistance program, and double the Section 502 guarantee program. Like H.R. 1, it proposes to eliminate rental preservation programs, but it would increase Section 515 funding, which can be used for some preservation activities.

USDA Rural Development Program
(dollars in millions)

FY 2010 Approp.

FY 2011 Admin. Budget

FY11
Proposed CR

(H.R. 1)

FY 2012 Admin. Budget

Loans

502 Single Fam. Direct

$1,121

$1,200

$1,121

$211.4

502 Single Family Guar.

12,000

12,000

12,000

24,000

504 Very Low-inc. Rpr.

34.4

34

34

0

514 Farm Labor Hsg.

27.3

27

27.3

27

515 Rental Hsg. Direct

69.5

95.2

69.5

95.2

38 Rental Hsg. Guar.

129.1

129.1

129.1

0

Rental Prsrv. Revlg. Lns.

1.8

0

0

0

Grants and Payments

504 Very Low-inc. Rpr.

31.6

31

31.6

11.5

516 Farm Labor Hsg.

9.9

10

9.9

9.8

523 Self-Help TA

41.9

37

37

0

533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants

9.4

9.4

9.4

0

521 Rental Assistance d

980

966

955.6

906.7

Preservation RA

(6)

0

0

0

New Constr. 515 RA

(2.03)

(3)

(2.03)

(3)

New Constr. 514/516 RA

(3.4)

(3)

(3)

(3)

542 Rural Hsg. Vouchers

16.4

18

16.4

16

Rental Prsrv. Demo. (MPR)

25

0

0

0

Rural Cmnty. Dev’t Init.

6.3

0

0

8.4

HUD housing: H.R. 1 would cut large proportions of the funding for CDBG, Section 202, and Section 811, eliminate housing counselling, and reduce funds for other programs including HOME and Native American housing. It would continue funding for the Rural Innovation Fund and SHOP. The Administration’s budget would cut CDBG, HOME, and Sections 202 and 811, while increasing homelessness funding and adding a full $1 billion for the never-funded National Housing Trust Fund. The Rural Innovation Fund would be fully funded and the Self-Help Home-ownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) would be eliminated.

HUD Program
(dollars in millions)

FY10 Approp.

FY11 Admin. Budget

FY11
Proposed CR

(H.R. 1)

FY12 Admin. Budget

Cmty. Devel. Block Grants
– Sustainable Communities Initiative (b)
– Rural Innovation Fund (a)
– Catalytic Investment Grants

$4,450
(150)
(25)

4,380.1
(150)
0
(150)

1,500
0
25

3,781
0
25
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

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

Healthy Homes & Lead Haz. Cntl.

140

140

120

140

Sustainable Communities Initiative (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.

MORTGAGE ORIGINATORS AT FEDERALLY REGULATED LENDERS MUST REGISTER BY JULY 29. The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) for Mortgage Licensing Act requires registration. See Federal Register, 2/3/11. Visit https://mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org. Contact the mortgage registry, 240-386-4444.

HUD PROPOSES COMBINING PUBLIC HOUSING MODERNIZATION PROGRAMS.Comments are due April 8. See Federal Register, 2/7/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Jeffrey Riddel, HUD, 202-708-1640.

INDIAN HOUSING BLOCK GRANT ADVANCES OFFERED FOR FY11. HUD Notice PIH 2011-06 tells tribes and tribally designated housing entities how to request IHBG advances pending a final FY11 HUD appropriations bill. Visit https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/hudclips/notices/pih. Contact an Area Office of Native American Programs, listed at https://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/ih/index.cfm.

ADMINISTRATION ISSUES HOUSING FINANCE REFORM REPORT. The report suggests reliance on the private sector. It says both homeownership and rental housing are needed. It states that USDA, HUD, and VA will establish a task force “to explore ways in which their housing finance programs can be better coordinated, or even consolidated . . .” Reforming America’s Housing Finance Market is at https://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/Pages/housing.aspx.

RURAL VOICES MAGAZINE OFFERS REFLECTIONS ON CHANGE. “Rural Housing Leaders Reflect: Where Do We Go from Here?” is the winter issue of HAC’s quarterly magazine, free at https://ruralhome.org. One print subscription per organization is free from Dan Stern, HAC, 202-842-8600, dan@ruralhome.org.