HAC News Formats. pdf

September 17, 2020
Vol. 49, No. 19

TOP STORIES

Continuing resolution will not include economic relief.
Congress and the White House are negotiating details of a continuing resolution to fund the government when fiscal year 2021 begins on October 1, but reportedly have decided the measure will not include additional funding to address the economic impacts of the pandemic. Separate negotiations on a new relief package have not resulted in an agreement; on September 10 the Senate voted down the most recent proposal, a “skinny” bill introduced by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), which would not have provided any housing aid.

Online session to cover rural housing challenges in pandemic.
Shelter in Rural Places: Facing Rural Housing Challenges in the Unfolding Pandemic, to be held on September 22, will be the third Rural Opportunity and Development (ROAD) session. Rural and tribal organizations will share their analysis and useful strategies for helping rural residents, workers and families address housing distress and homelessness, including strategies that could help fend off further crisis if federal and state unemployment and housing assistance run dry. The ROAD sessions virtual exchanges are co-designed and hosted by the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, the Housing Assistance Council, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership and Rural LISC.

HUD posts final disparate impact rule.
HUD has posted online the final version of its revised disparate impact rule, though the department has not issued an announcement or statement about it and it has not yet been published in the Federal Register. The final rule is not identical to the proposed regulation released in August 2019, but retains the proposal’s heavy burden of proof for an injured party.

Public charge rule now active nationwide.
In July a federal court issued an injunction halting implementation of the new public charge rule, which establishes limits on immigrants’ use of public assistance. In August an appeals court narrowed the injunction so it applied in only three states. On September 11 the appeals court stayed the injunction nationwide so that, while proceedings on the lawsuit continue, the Department of Homeland Security can enforce the rule throughout the United States. More information about the rule is available from the Protecting Immigrant Families Campaign.

HAC posts disaster guide for West Coast wildfires.
The guide provides resources for people affected by the recent fires in California, Oregon and Washington.

September 15-October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month.

RuralSTAT

79% of rural homes are occupied. Nearly half the unoccupied units are vacation homes.
Source: HAC tabulations of 2014-2018 American Community Survey Data. For more information on housing change and occupancy in rural America, visit HAC’s newest Rural Research Brief.

OPPORTUNITIES

HUD offers funds for healthy homes and reduction of health hazards.
State, local and tribal governments, nonprofits, for-profits, public housing authorities and others can apply by November 9 for Healthy Homes and Weatherization Cooperation Demonstration grants to coordinate healthy homes and weatherization programs. For more information, contact Brenda M. Reyes, HUD. Public housing agencies are the only eligible applicants for the Lead-Based Paint Capital Fund Program, which will fund evaluation and reduction of lead-based paint hazards and other housing-related hazards including carbon monoxide and mold in public housing. The deadline is November 2. For more information, contact HUD staff.

October deadline approaching for stimulus check applications.
October 15 is the deadline for people to apply for the $1,200 stimulus payments authorized by the CARES Act earlier this year if they are eligible but did not receive funds automatically or request them. Anyone who misses this deadline will have to file a tax return for 2020 to claim the payment. Details are available from the IRS and from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. CBPP also offers outreach resources for informing eligible people about the deadline. Assistance for individuals is also available online or through United Way’s helpline,1-844-322-3639. 

POLICY

Emergency rental relief is overdue.
HAC joined six other leading affordable housing organizations in a statement issued September 16 calling for immediate rental assistance, paired with financial support for affordable housing providers, to supplement the protection provided by the CDC’s recent eviction moratorium. While some property owners have resources to help them weather the temporary loss of rental income, many providers of affordable housing do not.

CORONAVIRUS

HAC finds rural share of COVID-19 cases still rising nationally.
As of September 10, all but 14 counties outside of metropolitan areas have reported COVID-19 cases, and nearly three-quarters of outside metro counties have also reported associated deaths related to the virus. HAC’s latest update on the pandemic’s rural impact is available online.

USDA updates its pandemic information.
USDA Rural Development has posted an updated version of its summary about actions taken in all its programs, a bulletin on servicing relief for homeowners with Section 502 guaranteed mortgages in disaster areas, revised FAQs for lenders using the Section 502 single-family guarantee program, and an announcement about the CDC eviction moratorium. For more information, contact an RD service center.

“Strained rural water utilities buckle under pandemic pressure.”
The Pew Charitable Trusts look at how the pandemic has reduced the revenue stream for many rural water systems which were already strained. While some rural systems received funding from the Paycheck Protection Program, these utilities generally have not benefitted from federal or state pandemic relief programs.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

USDA issues final rule on broadband infrastructure funding.
The final rule for broadband infrastructure allows awardees under select RD programs to use a portion of their funds to help expand access to broadband services for America’s rural businesses and residents. Eligible programs include Section 515 direct and Section 538 guaranteed rental housing loans. USDA requests comments by November 16 on this regulation. For more information, contact Michele Brooks, USDA, 202-690-1078.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Growth or decline in housing units and vacancy rates vary across rural America, HAC reports.
Housing Change and Occupancy in Rural America, a new Rural Research Brief, considers some of the factors contributing to, and resulting from, change in the rural housing stock.

Supportive housing resources posted online.
Materials and a recording from HAC’s Introduction to Supportive Housing webinar are now available online. This session, the first in a three-part series, provided a comprehensive overview of permanent supportive housing, explained the guiding principles of the Housing First approach, outlined supportive services, and presented the trauma-informed care and design framework. Part II will be held on October 15 and Part III on November 17. When registration opens, information will be posted on HAC’s website.

“For BIPOC communities, local news crisis extends beyond major cities.”
This article in the Columbia Journalism Review describes the “need for journalism’s reckoning regarding racial justice to extend beyond major cities to issues faced by [Black, Indigenous and people of color communities in small towns and suburbs.”

“Dead chicks, delayed prescriptions: Late mail leaves rural America disconnected.”
NBC News describes some of the many ways postal service is critical to connect rural communities with the rest of the nation. Many rural communities depend on their mail careers for essentials ranging from prescription medicines to paying bills.

HAC

Need capital for your affordable housing project?
HAC’s loan funds provide low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development and construction/rehabilitation. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.
Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including tribes).

HAC News Formats. pdf

August 20, 2020
Vol. 49, No. 17

CONGRESS

Congress may consider economic relief in Post Office bills.   
When negotiations on further coronavirus relief funding hit an impasse in early August, members of Congress left Washington and it appeared no action would be taken until after Labor Day. Now, after media reports on the U.S. Postal Service’s challenges, the House is returning to vote on added USPS funding and other provisions on Saturday, August 22. Senate leaders are drafting a bill covering the USPS as well as provisions from the HEALS Act (introduced in late July) but have not called the Senate back into session. They are reportedly considering combining coronavirus relief with a continuing resolution to fund the federal government for the first part of fiscal year 2021, which starts October 1.

OPPORTUNITIES

HUD offers ROSS service coordinator grants.
Nonprofits, resident associations, tribal governments and TDHEs, and PHAs can apply by November 19 for funds to employ Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency Service Coordinators to work with residents of public or Indian housing. For more information, contact HUD staff, ROSS-PIH@hud.gov.

Indian Housing Block Grant funding competition open.
Applications are due December 10 for Indian Housing Block Grants. Tribes and tribally designated housing entities are eligible for these grants, which can be used for a range of housing activities. For more information, contact HUD staff, IHBGCompetitiveProgram@hud.gov.

RURALSTAT

Approximately 15 million rural Baby Boomers comprise one-quarter of the rural and small town population.
Source: HAC tabulations of 2014-2018 American Community Survey Data. For more information on age and aging in rural America, see HAC’s newest Rural Research Brief.

CORONAVIRUS

New estimate: 30-40 million people at risk of eviction.
Several housing researchers from universities and nonprofits co-authored The COVID-19 Eviction Crisis: An Estimated 30-40 Million People in America are at Risk, aggregating existing research and providing new estimates. “If conditions do not change,” they conclude, “29-43% of renter households could be at risk of eviction by the end of the year.” The predicted tsunami of evictions has not yet begun in most places because the 30-day notice period added to the CARES Act moratorium does not expire until August 23, some areas still have state or local moratoriums in place, some emergency rental assistance programs are still operating, and data do not include tenants who move out before an eviction filing.

“Pandemic leads to more precarious housing situation.”
A preview of a forthcoming report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research presents research findings on housing insecurity before and during the coronavirus pandemic. Almost one-third of renters and one-sixth of homeowners experienced housing insecurity, on average, each week from late April 2020 through July 2020. Housing insecurity increased most notably for Hispanic and Black renters from 2019 to July 2020.

Public charge injunction limited to three states.
An appellate court narrowed the recent injunction against USCIS implementation of its 2019 “public charge” regulation so that it applies in only Connecticut, New York and Vermont. The rule can be used in the rest of the country. The coronavirus-related lawsuit that led to this injunction, as well as other suits challenging the rule, are still ongoing.

The rate of new cases of Covid-19 is higher in rural areas than nationwide.
A Daily Yonder analysis finds that as of August 13 the seven-day average of new cases in rural counties was 16.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to 15.9 new cases nationwide.

“Coronavirus surge brings suffering to the impoverished, underresourced Mississippi Delta.”
NBC News covers the intense challenge of providing medical care in one of the poorest rural parts of the country. A majority of the Delta’s population are Black and NBC reports that more than half the people who have died of COVID-19 in Mississippi are Black.

“These essential workers face evictions and could become homeless during pandemic.”
The Los Angeles Times describes the dire situation faced by migrant workers in rural California who have lost income during the coronavirus pandemic.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

HUD to extend moratorium on FHA foreclosures.
Politico reported August 18 that HUD will continue its moratorium on foreclosures and evictions of homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages through the end of 2020. Similar protections for homeowners with USDA single-family mortgages and those backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are still scheduled to expire on August 31. President Trump’s August 8 executive order addressing evictions and foreclosures does not extend the CARES Act’s eviction moratorium for tenants; it directs federal officials to review options for protecting renters and homeowners, but does not require any specific action.

USDA RD summary of coronavirus relief measures updated.
The document reviews past guidance for housing, community facilities, business and utilities programs, and labels indicate new or revised provisions in the August 5 update. RD notes that it has processed over 4,000 requests for payment deferrals for Section 515 or 514 mortgages and is still accepting requests.

OMB releases 2020 compliance supplement for audits.
The 2020 Compliance Supplement to OMB’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements applies to audits of fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2019 for nonprofits, state and local governments and tribes receiving federal funds. Comments are due October 10. For more information, contact the relevant federal agency.

Fair Market Rents for fiscal 2021 posted.
In developing its proposed FMRs for the year that begins October 1, HUD updated its economic assumptions to reflect the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Comments are due September 30. For more information, contact HUD USER, 800-245-2691.

Temporary change extended for hiring H-2A farmworkers.
The Department of Homeland Security is extending part of a temporary final rule issued in April. Farmworkers with H-2A visas will not have to leave the U.S. before beginning work for new employers who file H-2A petitions between August 19 and December 17, 2020. DHS did not extend another April provision, which allowed H-2A workers to stay in the U.S. longer than three years. For more information, contact Charles L. Nimick, USCIS, 202-272-8377.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Rural unemployment rate declines, but 1.8 million rural workers still unemployed.
A HAC analysis finds the June unemployment rate was 8.8% for counties outside metropolitan areas, using the most recent county-level data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rural unemployment peaked at 13.6% in April.

New HAC Rural Research Brief looks at age and aging in rural America.
The impacts of the aging U.S. population are especially pronounced in rural America, due to natural population change as well as outmigration. More details are available in a new Rural Research Brief published by HAC.

State of Black America contends that in 2020 America has been unmasked.
The 2020 issue of the National Urban League’s annual State of Black America report offers analysis and commentary on inequalities in the coronavirus pandemic, the economy and U.S. institutions.

GAO reports homelessness probably underestimated.
A Government Accountability Office review concluded that HUD’s point-in-time counts for 2017-2019 probably underestimated the U.S. homeless population. In Homelessness: Better HUD Oversight of Data Collection Could Improve Estimates of Homeless Population (GAO-20-433), it recommends HUD provide better guidance to Continuums of Care, which collect the data. GAO also calculated that rent increases are statistically correlated with increases in homelessness.

Native Americans have disproportionate share of fatal encounters with police.
While much of the discussion of racial bias in police shootings has centered on Black Americans, the Center for Indian Country Development examined Native Americans’ fatal encounters with police. Female Native Americans’ police-involved deaths were more likely to result from vehicles, overdoses or other incidental causes, while males’ deaths were more often from police use of force. Nationwide, from 2000 to 2017, Black males and Native American females had four times as many fatal encounters per population as their white counterparts. In the upper Midwest, Native American males had 14 times as many fatal encounters as white males and Native American females had 38 times more than white females.

“Two local leaders discuss how smarter federal policy can save rural America during COVID-19.”
A Brookings Institution blog post based on a webinar with local economic development leaders from Wytheville, VA and Charlevoix, MI considers needs including expanding broadband infrastructure and increasing access to finance. Reimagining federal policy for rural development can help “rural leaders meet the demands and opportunities of the modern economy and the additional pressures wrought by COVID-19.”

HAC

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan funds provide low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development and construction/rehabilitation. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at  hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including tribes).