HAC News: May 28, 2020

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May 28, 2020
Vol. 49, No. 11

House passes another coronavirus relief bill.
On May 15 the House approved H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, which proposes substantial new housing assistance. The Senate is expected to work on a separate relief bill in June.

Agencies extend foreclosure moratoria and mortgage forbearance options.
In March a number of federal agencies imposed temporary bans on foreclosure for federally assisted homeowners and on evictions of both owners and renters in properties with federal aid. Some borrowers were also eligible to delay their mortgage payments. The agencies have now announced extensions through June 30, some including additional waivers or other provisions. The extensions cover mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well as those made under USDA’s Section 502 direct program,* USDA’s Section 502 guarantee program, USDA’s Section 538 multifamily mortgage guarantee program, HUD’s Section 184 and 184A Native American and Native Hawaiian loan guarantee programs, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ loan guarantee program,and the Federal Housing Administration’s single-family loan guarantee program. ProPublica has developed a searchable database of rental properties covered by the CARES Act’s eviction ban (including those with direct or guaranteed USDA mortgages), which protects many tenants until late August. Other eviction resources are compiled on HAC’s website.

USDA offers coronavirus-related business and industry loan guarantees.
USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service will guarantee almost $1 billion in loans to businesses in places with populations under 50,000. Loans must support business operations and facilities with working capital to cure problems caused by the coronavirus emergency.Eligible lenders include federal or state chartered financial institutions, Farm Credit lenders, S&Ls and others. Eligible borrowers include agricultural producers and a wide variety of entities operating rural businesses. Differences from the regular loan guarantee program include support for agricultural production, 90% guarantees, 10-year maximum terms and others. The application deadline is September 15, 2021 or whenever funds are all used. For more information, contact an RD state office. An interim final rule for the CARES Act program is effective immediately with comments due on June 22. For more information on the rule, contact Mark Brodziski, RBCS, 202-205-0903.

OCC finalizes CRA regulations, Federal Reserve and FDIC decline to join.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released a final regulation to revise enforcement of the Community Reinvestment Act on May 20. The final rule retained much of the OCC’s controversial proposal, but several major elements of the initial proposal were not adopted. The rulemaking process received thousands of public comments, including a comment from HAC, which did not support the draft. Historically the three federal banking regulatory agencies have issued joint regulations but OCC’s final rule was not joined by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which had signed on to the proposal when it was released in January. The Federal Reserve Board did not join either the proposal or the final version. The National Community Reinvestment Coalition, the California Reinvestment Coalition and Democracy Forward intend to sue OCC to block its final rule. On May 21, Comptroller Joseph M. Otting announced his resignation.

June 2 webinar to explore five good ideas for rural philanthropy.
The Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, in partnership with HAC and others, will offer a webinar titled Ratcheting Up Rural Response, Recovery and Resilience: Five Good Ideas for Philanthropy Right Now on June 2 at 2:00 pm Eastern time. Funders and rural practitioners will explore ways to provide immediate relief for the coronavirus’s impacts and to improve prospects for recovery.

Half of rural households have responded to the census, HAC reports.
A HAC analysis found that as of May 17 the rural response rate to the 2020 Census was 53%, lagging the 59.6% national rate. This Census is the first to rely primarily on online responses – a concern for rural communities given long-established internet deficiencies, household dynamics and poor connectivity in many rural markets.The coronavirus pandemic has also delayed in-person delivery of Census forms to the 5% of households, mostly rural, who do not receive them by mail. HAC encourages everyone to respond.

RuralSTAT: As of May 26, there were 121,274 reported cases of COVID-19 in counties outside of metropolitan areas, and an associated 4,600 deaths. The numbers of reported rural (outside metro) cases and deaths have more than doubled in the past 30 days. Source: Housing Assistance Council tabulations of data from the New York Times, based on reports from state and local health agencies.

President orders reducing regulations to aid economic recovery.
An Executive Order issued on May 19 directs federal agencies to temporarily or permanently rescind, modify or waive regulations in order to promote job creation and economic growth.It gives OMB the authority to oversee compliance and to issue further instructions to agencies.

SBA relief program needs changes to better aid underserved and rural businesses, say reviewers and users.
Reports by the Small Business Administration’s Inspector General and the Center for Responsible Lending have concluded that the Paycheck Protection Program created by the CARES Act did not serve disadvantaged businesses, including those in rural areas, as well as Congress intended. The IG found the SBA’s administration of the program mostly aligned with the statute but missed the mark in some ways, including not requiring lenders to prioritize underserved and rural borrowers. CRL’s analysis concluded that “structural inequities made it extremely difficult for small businesses – and particularly businesses owned by people of color – to qualify for assistance or receive it in time to save their businesses and the jobs of the employees that depend on them.” An article by Talk Poverty provides examples from California illustrating CRL’s findings. Rural participants in a recent online forum convened by a House subcommittee offered similar stories, saying the program has been helpful for rural businesses but could be even better.

H-2A farmworkers quadrupled from 2005 to 2019.
In 2005 just over 48,000 positions were certified for farmworkers with temporary H-2A visas. By 2019 more than 258,000 received certification, according to data posted by USDA’s Economic Research Service. Other farm labor data from ERS covers demographic characteristics, wages and more.

Tenants and owners of single-family homes and small buildings more likely to be economically affected by coronavirus downturn.
Noting that existing data and eviction protections tend to exclude single-family homes and small multifamily buildings, Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies examined the characteristics of tenants in such homes and concluded that job losses related to the current economy could leave 20% unable to pay some or all of their rent. For larger apartment buildings the estimate is 12%. Smaller properties are also more likely to be owned by individuals who may be less able to weather a loss of rental income. JCHS did not analyze geographic differences, but HAC data tabulations show that 45% of rural renters live in single-family homes, compared to only 19% in cities and 34% in suburbs. 

Recent publications and media of interest

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). 

 

* The reference to the Section 502 direct program was omitted when this issue of the HAC News was originally published. The extension is noted near the bottom of USDA’s announcement. HAC apologizes for any confusion.

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HAC News: May 14, 2020

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May 14, 2020
Vol. 49, No. 10

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.  

New coronavirus relief bill introduced in House. 

H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, introduced on May 12, would provide substantial new housing assistance. The House is expected to pass the bill on May 15, but it is not expected to become law in its current form. 

  • The measure includes $309 million for additional USDA Section 521 Rental Assistance, which would be available for tenants who are not currently receiving RA as well as those who are. Up to $25 million of the total could be used for Section 542 vouchers.  
  • The bill would expand the CARES Act’s provisions, which protect only those with federal housing assistance or federally backed mortgages, by creating a 12-month prohibition on all evictions of renters or homeowners based on nonpayment and a 12-month forbearance period for all owners of multifamily rental properties.  
  • Funding would be added to numerous HUD programs including CDBG, public housing, vouchers, Sections 202 and 811, and McKinney-Vento homeless assistance programs. Another $100 billion would finance emergency aid to tenants through the Emergency Solutions Grant program.  
  • State housing finance agencies would administer a new $75 billion Homeowner Assistance Fund. 
  • Setasides for tribes would include $100 million for the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Housing Improvement Program and $20 million for BIA to provide and deliver potable water.  
  • The bill would revise USDA’s authority to offer payment moratoria to Section 502 direct and Section 504 borrowers, requiring that determinations be based on individual borrowers’ circumstances.  

SBA taking Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications from agricultural businesses. 

Agricultural businesses with fewer than 500 employees are currently the only enterprises that can apply for the Small Business Administration’s coronavirus-related EIDL loans and advances. (SBA is continuing to process applications submitted before April 15 by other businesses.) A USDA webcast about the program is available online. For more information, contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center, 1-800-659-2955, disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  

Agencies offer information for tenants and homeowners. 

CFPB, FHFA and HUD launched a new website on May 12 that explains CARES Act protections for renters and homeowners, suggests resources for additional help and provides information on how to avoid COVID-19 related scams. It also includes explanations and links to help determine whether homes are federally backed, a requirement for relief under CARES. A detailed CFPB blog post offers even more material for renters. USDA Rural Development has also published new Frequently Asked Questions for tenants in USDA-financed rentals, available in English and Spanish.  

Census Bureau resumes some field operations.  

After suspending field operations for the 2020 decennial Census in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Census Bureau has restarted them in some places to reach out to people who otherwise might not respond. HAC encourages everyone in the U.S. to respond to the Census.  

HAC examines data on coronavirus infections in rural America.  

As of May 3, there were more than 67,000 reported cases of COVID-19 and an estimated 2,500 associated deaths in rural communities. Maps and graphics presenting HAC’s analysis of this data are posted online. Rural areas with extremely high per capita infection rates include some communities with meat packing facilities in the Midwest, persistently poor African-American communities in the Southeast and Native American communities. Communities on, or near, the Navajo Nation have some of the highest reported infection rates in the entire U.S.

Reporting capacity may play a role in rural media coverage.  

According to a new report by the Housing Assistance Council and Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, Revealing Rural Realities: What Fuels Inaccurate and Incomplete Coverage of Rural Issues?, rural issues are likely to receive less attention in the media because of the lack of robust rural reporting capacity. The research, which included interviews of rural and non-rural journalists and a scan of media coverage, also found there is enormous interest on the part of journalists and their readers to learn about the issues that affect rural America, but resource and time limitations affect rural reporting efforts.  

Good rural data – including reliable sources of housing data – is essential.  

A new report, In Search of “Good” Rural Data: Measuring Rural Prosperity, shines light on the shortcomings of available data for rural communities. Published by the Urban Institute with the Housing Assistance Council and Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, this research included interviews with rural data practitioners and a data scan of key sources. The report calls for increased sample size, partnerships between governments and data users and a re-evaluation of rural definitions to better reflect rural realities.  

All extreme poverty counties in 2018 were rural, ERS reports. 

Using the most recent available American Community Survey data to examine poverty rates by county, USDA’s Economic Research Service found that of the 664 counties with poverty rates above 20%, 524 were outside metropolitan areas. Fifteen of the 664 had extremely high poverty rates, above 40%, and all of those were outside metro areas. They were concentrated in South Dakota and Mississippi, where Native Americans and African Americans make up large portions of the population in poverty.  

Recent publications and media of interest   

  • Hotspots: Prisons and Slaughterhouses Hit Rural Communities Hard, a Nonprofit Quarterly article, details how COVID-19 has disproportionately affected rural areas with meat processing plants and correctional facilities. The article explains why these industries were wooed by struggling rural communities and how promises of improved economies have gone largely unfulfilled. It also explores other industry possibilities, such as health care centers, that would benefit the health and well-being of residents.  
  • Making Health Count: Monetizing the Health Benefits of In-Home Services Delivered by Energy Efficiency Programs, a report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, notes that the large existing network of in-home energy efficiency programs could be modified to include measures that promote better health outcomes for residents. If existing weatherization programs targeted four common health risks – asthma, falls, and exposure to extreme heat or cold – they could save more than $228 million annually due to avoided health harms.  
  • Millions Stuck at Home with no Plumbing, Kitchen or Place to Stay Safe from Kaiser Health News points out that keeping healthy is complicated for the millions of Americans who live without complete plumbing or kitchens, or in overcrowded conditions. Homes in rural areas are more likely to lack these basic services than in other places of the country. The analysis relied in part on HAC data.  
  • Monterey County Ag Workers Comprise Nearly a Quarter of County COVID-19 Diagnoses, an article in The Californian, describes the health risks faced by farmworkers due to factors including their often crowded housing conditions.  

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). 

In Search of "Good" Rural Data Cover Image

In Search of “Good” Rural Data

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In Search of "Good" Rural Data Cover Image

The Housing Assistance Council has long been working to address the shortcomings of rural data for rural housing developers nationwide. The efforts of one organization alone, however, cannot address the significant issues with rural data collection, dissemination, and use. Data is essential to understanding demographics, housing costs, poverty, housing finance, and financial well-being. This report familiarizes us with the limitations of commonly used data sets and identifying shortcomings that could be addressed through new methods. Check out this new report, “In Search of Good Data: Measuring Rural Prosperity,” now.

Rural Prosperity Report Cover

Revealing Rural Realities: What Fuels Inaccurate and Incomplete Coverage of Rural Issues?

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Rural Prosperity Report Cover

This report underscores and articulates how ongoing changes in the structure and business of media and journalism contribute to the gap between rural realities and public perception of rural America. It also highlights the outsized role that social media is playing in shaping public perceptions. Interviewees shared their recommendations for overcoming the challenges they identified and for making the most of emerging opportunities. Accordingly, this report provides a set of recommendations that could result in better rural-focused journalism.

HAC News: May 4, 2020

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May 4, 2020
Vol. 49, No. 9 

 

Rural housing again deferred to future coronavirus legislation.
A fourth relief package, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, became law on April 24, providing funds for businesses and health facilities. The measure does not include housing support. Advocates are again working to include housing assistance in the next bill, although its timing is uncertain. The Senate reconvened on May 4 but the House will not return until May 11 at the earliest.

Fewer lenders required to report home mortgage data.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has issued a final rule raising the threshold for banks to report data under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. As of July 1, 2020, institutions originating fewer than 100 “closed-end” restrictive mortgage loans will not have to report. On January 1, 2022, lenders issuing under 200 “open-end” lines of credit will be exempt from reporting. 

Servicing options explained for homeowners with USDA Section 502 and 504 direct loans.
A recent National Housing Law Project paper explains protections for homeowners who have USDA direct mortgages and who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Some were recently adopted in the CARES Act, while others are available through USDA’s other servicing authorities. NHLP is developing a similar summary on the obligations of USDA-financed rental property owners to their tenants.

H-2A farmworkers exempt from immigration ban.
President Trump’s order suspending immigration to the U.S. for 60 days does not apply to agricultural workers temporarily admitted to the U.S. with H-2A visas, consistent with the administration’s other recent efforts to help employers use these workers. Farmworker advocates have urged the federal and state administrations to provide better health and safety protections for H-2A workers and have compiled resources online in a variety of languages for workers and organizations serving them.

COVID-19 hits Rural America later, but harder.
A Center for American Progress paper details how limited funding affects rural America’s ability to respond to and recover from the coronavirus. Existing structural barriers like a lack of infrastructure, shrinking health care resources, an aging population and local governments with little capacity also exacerbate the effects. Policy recommendations to help rural areas fight against the spread of the coronavirus include strengthening and expanding healthcare infrastructure, increasing the federal government’s share of Medicaid payments, implementing a national stay-at-home policy and creating dedicated funding streams for areas with populations under 50,000.

Webinars address “Rural Broadband in the Time of COVID-19.”
On April 17 and 23, the Center for Rural Strategies and Rural Assembly held two webinars to address the needs of the thousands of Americans who have a greater need for broadband access than ever. The first covered community issues and the second focused on policy responses.

Recent publications and media of interest

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). 

 

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HAC News: April 17, 2020

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April 17, 2020
Vol. 49, No. 8

April is National Fair Housing Month. 

Next coronavirus relief bill remains uncertain, HAC says “don’t leave rural America behind.”  

“Don’t Leave Rural America Behind in Coronavirus Recovery,” an April 16 opinion piece written by HAC CEO David Lipsetz for The Hill, warns that “unless proactive and deliberate steps are taken to bolster rural communities, they are at risk of seeing a repeat of the lasting damage done by the Great Recession.” Congress and the Administration have not been able to agree on what should be included in the fourth measure addressing the pandemic. To be adopted before the House and Senate reconvene (currently expected to be May 4), a bill would need to be approved by both chambers without objections from any members present in Washington, DC.  

Federal agencies continue to issue coronavirus information. 

HAC posts ongoing updates online covering agency actions, upcoming webinars, media coverage and more. USDA RD’s most recent releases include an April 15 update of the summary of actions it has taken and an April 13 FAQ Part 2 document addressing multifamily housing questions. For the HOME program, HUD recently provided memos on waivers and suspensions of HOME requirements and on those specifically applicable to use of tenant-based rental assistance. HUD mortgagee letters cover a variety of subjects for lenders. Documents on CDBG include a memo on CARES Act flexibilities and a guide to uses of CDBG for coronavirus response.  

HUD Fair Housing Initiatives funds offered. 

Competitive grants are offered under three initiatives: the Fair Housing Organizations Initiative, the Private Enforcement Initiative and the Education and Outreach Initiative. The deadline for all three competitions is May 11. For more information, contact Myron Newry, HUD.  

HHS extends deadline for rural opioid response funding. 

May 26 is the new applications due date for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Implementation. Nonprofits, for-profits and tribes are eligible for grants to provide prevention, treatment and recovery services in HHS-defined rural areas. For more information, contact Allison Hutchings, HHS, 301-945-9819.  

HAC responds to CRA modernization plan. 

Expressing strong support for the Community Reinvestment Act, HAC recently submitted comments to federal regulators explaining its numerous reasons for not supporting their proposal to modernize CRA regulations. Efforts and ideas in the plan to improve CRA’s reach and effectiveness in rural communities, HAC wrote, are far outweighed by a considerable number of ill-conceived and unsubstantiated aspects of the plan that run counter to the intent, value and effectiveness of CRA.  

Online tools help people claim stimulus payments. 

Rather than requiring simple tax returns from those who usually do not file returns, as it had previously announced, the IRS has developed a web portal for non-filers to provide the information necessary to receive Economic Impact Payments under the CARES Act. Another tool enables those who did file tax returns to check the status of their payments. More information is on the IRS website. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities explains How to File Taxes if You’re Experiencing Homelessness; note that this information was developed before the CARES Act was passed, so it does not cover Economic Impact Payments.  

Census Bureau requests delay in data schedule. 

The Census Bureau, which earlier suspended field operations for the decennial census, now hopes to resume in-person visits for data collection in June. It has asked Congress to change the law establishing deadlines for data provision, so that it could finish data collection on October 31, 2020 and provide redistricting data to the states by July 31, 2021, four months later than the current deadline. The bureau says over 48% of households have already responded to the census. In rural places, however, the response rate is much lower: 39% in nonmetro counties that are adjacent to metro areas and 34.3% in non-adjacent nonmetro counties, according to the Daily Yonder. An analysis by HAC Research Director Lance George suggests the lower rural response rates may be because the Census Bureau has not yet been able to hand-deliver forms to places that are hard to reach by mail. HAC encourages everyone living in the U.S. to respond to the Census – even if they have not yet received a form – by mail, by phone (844-330-2020 in English; separate lines are available in other languages) or online. 

National groups address coronavirus-related discrimination based on race or disability. 

The NAACP is collecting information about civil rights violations during the pandemic. It offers information as well, including a guide for public officials to remediate some of the issues disproportionately affecting communities of color. A National Fair Housing Alliance publication explains how fair housing requirements protect against discrimination for people who have COVID-19 or are perceived to have it.  

Indian Country faces “disproportionate economic impact and uncertainty.” 

A Center for Indian Country Development survey of tribes and tribal organizations found that because of the coronavirus pandemic tribes have imposed social distancing measures to protect members, many have had to reduce staff, and most expect the economic impact to worsen over time. In some tribal communities as many as 30% of jobs are in the service sector, compared to an average of 18% across the U.S., and employment in entertainment, recreation and other hard-hit industries is also greater than average. Similarly, a survey by the Native CDFI Network found that the vast majority of Native-serving Community Development Financial Institutions expect to be harmed by the economic downturn.  

FEMA relief for coronavirus disaster explained. 

Working with FEMA to Address COVID-19 Housing and Homelessness Needs, a toolkit published by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, describes what assistance is available from FEMA based on President Trump’s March 13 national emergency declaration and the separate disaster declarations that are now also in place for each state and territory and for numerous tribes. NLIHC has also produced a summary of resources offered under the emergency declaration. FEMA has not made available most of the types of aid described in HAC’s disaster guide, Picking Up the Pieces: Restoring Rural Housing and Communities after a Disaster.  

Temporary rule allows flexibility for employers to use H-2A farmworkers. 

Effective when the rule is published in the Federal Register, growers will be allowed to hire workers with H-2A visas who are already in the country. In addition, H-2A workers will be permitted to stay in the U.S. beyond the current three-year maximum time period. These provisions add to previously announced efforts that ease hiring of H-2A applicants.  

Federal Reserve Board seeks nominations for Community Advisory Council. 

Apply by June 5 for the Community Advisory Council, a group of experts and representatives of consumer and community development organizations and interests that meets twice a year with the Fed’s Board of Governors. Members provide a range of perspectives on economic circumstances and financial services needs of consumers and communities, particularly low- and moderate-income. For more information, contact Jennifer Fernandez, Fed, 202-452-2412. 

HUD posts 2020 income limits. 

The income limits, used to determine eligibility for a variety of housing programs, became effective April 1.  

Recent publications and media of interest   

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: April 2, 2020

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April 2, 2020
Vol. 49, No. 7 

April is National Fair Housing Month. 

Coronavirus relief bill stops evictions, funds HUD but not USDA rural housing. 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, imposes a 120-day moratorium on tenant evictions in federally assisted housing (including USDA Sections 515, 514/516, 533 and 538, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits). It sets a 60-day moratorium on foreclosures of homeowners receiving federal assistance. Assisted homeowners can also request mortgage forbearance for 180 days, and owners of assisted multifamily rental housing can request forbearance for 30 days; these time periods can be extended. More details are available online from HAC and the National Housing Law Project. The law includes funds for HUD’s CDBG, Section 8 vouchers, homeless assistance, public housing, tribal housing, Section 202 and 811, and more programs, but does not provide relief funds needed for USDA rural housing. USDA housing may be included in a future stimulus package, but it is not clear when that might be enacted.  

USDA offers relief and guidance for rural renters, landlords, homeowners. 

USDA RD’s notices are posted on its site and HAC’s site.  

HUD releases coronavirus information for tribes and tribally designated housing entities. 

Answers to frequently asked questions, a recording of an informational conference call, and other resources are posted on HUD’s Office of Native American Programs’ website.  

HAC continues to post news on coronavirus impacts on rural housing and rural arts organizations. 

Visit HAC’s website for ongoing updates. 

Simple tax returns required for some to receive stimulus payments.  

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is intended to provide cash to middle- and lower-income adults in the U.S. The Treasury Department will use income tax filings for 2018 and 2019 to identify most recipients and their bank information or mailing addresses. Social Security recipients will automatically receive payments the same way they receive their Social Security benefits. The IRS has announced that “some taxpayers who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return” to receive a payment. An earlier version of the IRS notice said it was developing a new web portal for filing those simple returns, but an April 1 update does not mention that. It does say a new web portal will allow those who filed in 2018 or 2019 to add direct deposit information for their bank accounts. The statement does not mention people who do not have bank accounts, internet access or Social Security numbers. It asks people not to call with questions, but to check https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus for updates. 

Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants available. 

Nonprofits and public agencies are eligible for grants to rehabilitate owner-occupied or rental housing. Preapplications are due to USDA RD State Offices on May 7. For more information, contact an RD State Office.  

ReConnect broadband application deadline extended again to April 15. 

After recently extending the application period for ReConnect loans, grants and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas, USDA has moved it farther. The deadline is now April 15. For more information, visit https://reconnect.usda.gov or contact Laurel Leverrier, USDA, 202-720-9554.  

CFPB requests comments on federal consumer finance laws. 

Comments are invited by June 1 for a new CFPB Taskforce on Federal Consumer Financial Law, which will examine the existing legal and regulatory environment for consumer financial products and services and recommend changes to the relevant laws. It will cover topics including mortgage origination and servicing, debt collection, and credit repair, along with other forms of consumer debt such as credit cards. For more information contact Nat Weber or Matt Cameron, CFPB, 202-435-7700.  

Recent publications and media of interest   

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). 

USDA Rural Development Housing Funding Activity: Fiscal Year 2019 Year-End Report

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HAC presents an overview of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 USDA Rural Housing program obligation activity in this publication, USDA Rural Development Housing Funding Activity: Fiscal Year 2019 Year-End Report.

Since the 1950s, USDA has provided financial assistance for the construction, repair, and affordability of millions of homes for low- and moderate-income rural Americans. USDA accomplishes this activity through its Rural Development (RD) agency. In FY 2019, USDA obligated 112,556 loans, loan guarantees, and grants totaling about $16.2 billion not including Multi-family Preservation and Revitalization program loan and grant funding. Since the first USDA housing loan was made (around 1950), the agency has funded the construction, purchase or repair of over 5.2 million rural housing units representing $335.7 billion.

Beginning in 1978, USDA also provided funding for rental assistance to help tenants better afford to rent housing in agency-financed multi-family housing units. In FY 2019, USDA obligated 258,878 annual units of tenant assistance representing about $1.36 billion through the combined total of the Section 521 Rental Assistance and the Section 542 Rural Housing Voucher programs. Since the late 1970s, USDA funded nearly $24.6 billion for rental assistance and tenant vouchers representing 3.57 million annual units.

USDA Program Obligation Final Report - FY 2019

HAC News: March 19, 2020

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HAC stands with local rural organizations and your communities.

As the COVID-19 pandemic moves through our cities, towns and rural places, HAC recognizes that our local partners will likely face additional pressure to respond to the needs of the rural communities you serve. As always, we will be as responsive and flexible as possible to work hand-in-hand with you as this situation progresses.A full statement from HAC CEO David Lipsetz is posted on our website.  

Coronavirus resources for rural housing still developing. 

HAC is compiling rural-housing-related coronavirus resources online. As this issue of the HAC News is published, USDA Rural Development has released information abouthow some, but not all, of its programs are addressing the crisis. To receive updated information directly from RD, stakeholders can subscribe to RD email lists. In response to a March 17 HAC letter requesting that more information be shared with stakeholders, Rural Housing Administrator Bruce Lammers said the agency is “working to provide thoughtful direction regarding these issues.”  

  • RD is expected to release answers to frequently asked questions on multifamily housing on March 19 or 20. 
  • On March 19, RD issued a 60-day moratorium on foreclosures (including foreclosures already in process) or evictions from homes with Section 502 guarantees. Lenders are also encouraged to use existing options to help borrowers as needed.
  • A USDA press release stated that “RD will issue guidance to our Single-Family Housing Direct borrowers to ensure they can … seek payment assistance if needed.” HAC has not seen the guidance yet.   

HAC will postadditional details as they become available. To suggest items to post, please contact Leslie Strauss, HAC, leslie@ruralhome.org.  

Housing relief expected to be in next coronavirus emergency bill. 

Relief targeted specifically to housing and homelessness issues is not included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), signed into law by President Trump on March 18. Such aid is likely to be addressed – along with many other things – in another relief package currently being negotiated.Many state and local governments are taking housing-related steps as well, such as suspending evictions. 

Coronavirus testing and treatment will not count for public charge rule.  

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that testing, treatment and preventative care (including vaccines) related to the coronavirus will not be considered in determining whether a non-citizen is or may become a “public charge.”   

FHA and FHFA halt evictions and foreclosures for homeowners. 

HUD has announceda 60-day moratorium on foreclosures and evictions for single-family homeowners with mortgagesinsured by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA updates will be posted online.  The Federal Housing Finance Agencyhas also offered relief for single-family homeowners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,imposing a 60-day moratorium on foreclosures and evictions, as well as up to 12 months’ suspension of mortgage payments for homeowners impacted by the coronavirus.For more information, homeowners should contact the bankwhere they make mortgage payments. 

ReConnect broadband application deadline now March 31. 

USDA has extended the application period for ReConnect loans, grants and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. The new deadline is March 31. For more information, visit https://reconnect.usda.gov or contact Laurel Leverrier, USDA, 202-720-9554.  

Deadline corrected for applications for priority points based on regional development plan. 

As reported in the March 10 HAC News, applicants for community facilities, water and waste, or business programs may be eligible for extra points iftheir projects support strategic economic and community investment plans. RD has clarified that the deadline to request extra points is June 30 or the program application deadline, whichever comes first. For more information, contact a USDA RD state office.  

HAC encourages 2020 Censusresponses by mail, phone and online;field operations suspended. 

2020 Census forms and instructions should arriveby mail March 12-20.The Census is supposed to count every resident in the U.S., andHAC encourages everyone to respondby mail, by phone or online. The numbers are used to determine how billions of dollars of assistance are distributed, as well as how representation in Congress is divided. The 2020 Census does not ask about citizenship or documentation. It is illegal for the Census Bureau to share respondents’ information with any other government agencies, including law enforcement or immigration. Because of the coronavirus emergency, the Census Bureau has suspended field operations until at least April 1.  

FHFA sets expectations for Fannie and Freddie plan updates for underserved markets. 

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be required to meet more stringent requirements in their 2021-2023 plans for fulfilling their Duty to Serve obligation in underserved markets including rural areas, rental housing preservation and manufactured housing. The HAC News will continue to follow development of the plans.

Recent publications and media of interest   

  • Can Housing Interventions Reduce Incarceration and Recidivism?describes how stable and affordable housing and supportive services could help people stabilize after release from jail and reduce the likelihood of recidivism.  
  • Connecting Health & Housing in Rural America, a webinar hosted by Enterprise Community Partners, focuses on the intersection between housing and health as it manifests in rural areas. The speakers explore potential avenues for partnership between rural housing developers and the healthcare providers in their communities. View the recording here, or download the presentation.  
  • Does Information About Climate Risk Affect Property Values?, a working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research, reports that the housing market’s failure to account for the financial risk of homes located in floodplains has resulted in homes across the U.S. being valued at $34 billion more than they would if proximity to flood zones were incorporated into prices. Separately, U.S. House of Representatives subcommittees recently held a joint hearing on capturing better data about flood risk to improve disaster preparedness.  
  • The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Rental Homes is an annual analysis by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. This year it reports that extremely low-income renters in the U.S. face a shortage of 7 million affordable and available rental homes. Only 36 affordable and available homes existed for every 100 extremely low-income renter households in 2018. This year’s report also examines in greater detail the racial inequities of the nation’s housing shortage. 
  • Hoosier Housing Ready Toolkit: Ten Steps to Success for Rural Counties from the University of Indiana Center for Rural Engagement includes broad guidance and helpful worksheets about assessing a housing market, engaging local stakeholders and locating possible sites. 

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: March 10, 2020

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News Formats. pdf

March 10, 2020
Vol. 49, No. 5

USDA and HUD offer resources on coronavirus • Household Water Well System Grants available • HAC research brief tackles tax relief for sellers of affordable rental properties • HUD guidance describes new provisions for small rural PHAs • File information regarding a regional plan by June 30 to garner extra points for some USDA RD funding • Housing legislation moves forward in the House • CFPB provides FAQs for mortgage disclosure rule • New RD Deputy Under Secretary named • Census to replace American FactFinder • Affordable Homes at Risk • Many Living in Rural America Struggling with Housing as Cost of Living Outstrips Wages • Toolkit for State and Local Government Officials • Understanding Rural Attitudes Toward the Environment and Conservation in America • SAVE THE DATE FOR HAC’S 2020 RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE! • Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC News Formats. pdf

March 10, 2020
Vol. 49, No. 5

USDA and HUD offer resources on coronavirus.

Both departments provide basic resources and a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most up to date information. HUD suggests housing providers can share CDC fact sheets to help stakeholders understand the virus and steps to protect themselves. It also offers an infectious disease toolkit for Continuums of Care, noting that people experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable. The National Health Care for the Homeless Council has collected other resources and information on the subject. USDA provides additional information about food safety and pet safety. Articles published by the Daily Yonder and the Center for American Progress present differing perspectives about rural risk: “Rural Areas at Less Risk of Coronavirus Currently” because people have contact with fewer others, or “Rural Americans are Vulnerable to the Coronavirus” because they have larger proportions of vulnerable populations, residents often cannot work at home, and access to health care is limited.

Household Water Well System Grants available.

USDA offers grants to nonprofits to establish revolving loan funds that will make loans for household water well systems in places with populations under 50,000, tribal lands and colonias. Apply by May 31. For more information, contact Derek Jones, USDA RD, 202-720-9640.

HAC research brief tackles tax relief for sellers of affordable rental properties.

As the rural rental housing crisis builds, often the best way to preserve a property’s affordability is to sell it to an entity that will keep operating it as an affordable rental. Among the many issues involved in arranging such a sale is the need to cover the seller’s tax bill. A new HAC research brief, Tax Considerations for Rural Housing Preservation, looks at this issue and possible solutions.

HUD guidance describes new provisions for small rural PHAs.

While HUD is developing regulations to implement provisions of a 2018 law related to small PHAs in rural places, it has published initial guidance explaining how it is defining small and rural, and how it is currently implementing provisions that take effect without regulations. Just over 1,500 PHAs fit the definition; see the list of “Section 209 Small Rural PHAs.” They can inspect voucher units less often than other PHAs and are exempt from environmental review requirements for development or rehab projects costing under $100,000. For more information, contact Harold Katsura, HUD, 202-402-3042.

File information regarding a regional plan by June 30 to garner extra points for some USDA RD funding.

Applicants for community facilities, water and waste, or business programs may receive priority points if their projects support strategic economic and community investment plans. Applicants must submit a form by June 30 to be eligible. For more information, contact an RD state office.

Housing legislation moves forward in the House.

On March 2 the House of Representatives passed the Yes In My Backyard Act (H.R. 4351), which would require governments receiving CDBG funding to report on land use policies that support affordable housing production, and the Improving FHA Support for Small Dollar Mortgages Act (H.R. 5931), which would require the FHA to review its policies, practices and products to identify barriers to supporting mortgages under $70,000. Two other measures were approved by the House Financial Services Committee on February 28 but have not yet been considered by the full House. The Housing is Infrastructure Act (H.R. 5187) would authorize substantial funding increases for numerous housing programs, including USDA’s MPR and Section 504 programs. The Housing Fairness Act (H.R. 149) would fund nationwide housing discrimination testing as well as research and education and would increase appropriations for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program.

CFPB provides FAQs for mortgage disclosure rule.

The consumer agency’s questions and answers pertain to compliance with the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule (TRID) for home mortgage closing cost estimates. Specific topics include corrected closing disclosures and the three business-day waiting period, model forms, construction loans, loan estimates and lender credits.

New RD Deputy Under Secretary named.

Donald “DJ” LaVoy, who has served as Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development at USDA since September, is retiring. Bette Brand will move into the deputy position. She has most recently been the Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. The Under Secretary position, eliminated by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and reinstated by the 2018 Farm Bill, remains vacant.

Census to replace American FactFinder.

The U.S. Census Bureau will take its American FactFinder tool offline on March 31. The AFF tool will be replaced with the new data.census.gov utility. While the transition takes place, data and information on rural communities across the country will always be available at HAC’s Rural Data Portal. For more information on HAC’s data portal, contact dataportal@ruralhome.org.

Recent publications and media of interest

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).

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