https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/02/01/.

ADMINISTRATION BUDGET TO BE PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 14. The process of developing federal funding levels for fiscal year 2012 will begin when the Obama Administration issues its budget proposals in less than two weeks. Watch for details on HAC’s website, https://ruralhome.org.

HUD OFFERS FUNDS FOR ASSISTED LIVING, SERVICE COORDINATORS, AND RESEARCH. • The Assisted Living Conversion Program aids private nonprofits that own properties with specific types of federal assistance, including Section 515 with Section 8, or Section 202. Deadline is March 29. Contact Katina Washington, Katina.X.Washington@hud.gov, 202-708-3000. • Service Coordinators in Multifamily Housing funds are available for specified types of HUD-assisted properties. Deadline is March 24. Contact HUD field staff. • The Transformation Initiative: Natural Experiments Grant Program supports scientific research that makes use of natural experiments to evaluate the impacts of local, state, and federal policies. HUD is particularly interested in helping policymakers spend effectively and efficiently, but will consider other projects as well. Deadline is February 21. Contact Michael T. Morse, Michael.T.Morse@hud.gov, 202-402-5901. • All HUD NOFAs are posted at https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm and https://www.grants.gov.

MATERIALS ON HUD RURAL INNOVATION FUND NOFA POSTED ON HAC’S SITE. A recording of a HAC webcast discussing the application process, slides, and other resources are available at https://ruralhome.org. Application materials are at https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Deadline remains February 23. Contact Robert Duncan, HUD, 202-402-4681 or 1-877-787-2526.

HUD PROPOSES PROTECTIONS FOR SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY. Owners and operators of HUD-assisted and FHA-insured housing would be prohibited from discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The notice explains that a separate rule will add the same protections to HUD’s Native American housing programs. Comments are due March 25. See Federal Register, 1/24/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Kenneth J. Carroll, HUD, 202-708-2333.

FHFA REQUESTS ALTERNATIVES TO CREDIT RATINGS FOR GSE OVERSIGHT. The Federal Housing Finance Agency seeks alternatives to replace the use of credit ratings for securities in its regulations overseeing Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. Comments are due March 17. See www.fhfa.gov/Default.aspx?Page=89 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Scott Smith, FHFA, 202-414-8922.

RD PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON SECTION 515 PROPERTIES FUNDED BETWEEN 1979 AND 1989. An Unnumbered Letter dated January 4, 2011 explains the status of properties included in a litigation settlement agreement and those that were not included. Contact Cynthia L. Johnson, RD, 202-720-1940, cynthial.johnson@wdc.usda.gov. Visit https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_UnnumberedList.html.

CAPITAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES UPDATED. An Unnumbered Letter dated January 7, 2011 compiles information from several sources for USDA-financed multifamily properties’ CNAs. Contact Carlton Jarratt, RD, 804-287-1524, carlton.jarratt@wdc.usda.gov. Visit https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_UnnumberedList.html.

HUD REPORTS WORST CASE NEEDS INCREASED 20% FROM 2007 TO 2009. Worst case housing needs – defined as very low-income renter households who paid more than half their monthly income for rent, lived in severely substandard housing, or both – were 7.10 million in 2009 (41% of very low-income renters), up from 5.91 million (37%) in 2007. Every racial/ethnic group experienced increases, with Hispanics having the largest increase. The report suggests the rise is tied to the economic recession and homeownership crisis. Worst Case Housing Needs 2009: A Report to Congress is free at https://www.huduser.org.

ONLINE MAP SHOWS POVERTY RATES FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS. An interactive map provides total poverty rates and rates for children. Visit https://halfinten.org/issues/articles/poverty-data-by-congressional-district/.

STUDY ANALYZES HPRP, SUGGESTS IMPROVEMENTS. On the Edge: How HUD Can Improve the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, published by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, is based on a survey of service providers and is available at https://www.nlchp.org.

MISSED THE LAST HAC NEWS? The January 19 issue of the HAC News may not have reached all print subscribers because of a mailing glitch. It is available (along with other back issues) on HAC’s website, https://ruralhome.org. HAC apologizes for any problems.

https://thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app11.html.

CHANGES IN SECTION 202 AND 811 BECOME LAW. On January 4, President Obama signed the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act (S. 118) and the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Act (S. 1481) into law. The bills modernize the programs and do not include major changes proposed by HUD in 2010 (see HAC News, 10/13/10). The bills are available at https://thomas.loc.gov. A Technical Assistance Collaborative summary of the Melville Act is at https://www.tacinc.org/ and an American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging summary of the Section 202 Act is at https://www.aahsa.org.

HUD SETS FEBRUARY 23 DEADLINE FOR RURAL INNOVATION FUND APPLICATIONS. The Rural Fund NOFA (see HAC News, 12/8/10) and a correction are available at https://www.grants.gov or https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/rural-innov.cfm. Contact Robert Duncan, 202-402-4681, robert.duncan@hud.gov.

HUD ISSUES RESEARCH NOFAS. For details on the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program (Round 2), the Homeless Families Demonstration Small Grant Research Program, and the Sustainable Communities Research Grant Program, visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm or https://www.grants.gov.

FINAL RULE ISSUED FOR SECTION 538 CONTINUOUS GUARANTEE. The Section 538 rental guarantee program will now offer a single, continuous guarantee for construction advances and permanent financing. See Federal Register, 1/3/11. Contact Tammy S. Daniels, RD, tammy.daniels@wdc.usda.gov, 202-720-0021.

RD TO HOLD CALLS ON MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROGRAMS. Teleconference or web conference meetings will be scheduled during January, April, July, and October, 2011, covering a variety of subjects for stakeholders. See Federal Register, 12/23/10 or search for document RHS-10-MFH-0029-0001 at https://www.regulations.gov. To request notices as calls are scheduled, contact Sandra Mercier, RD, 202-720-1617, sandra.mercier@wdc.usda.gov.

HOUSING GOALS SET FOR FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANKS. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s final rule is “substantially the same” as its May 28, 2010 proposed rule (see HAC News, 6/09/10). See Federal Register, 12/27/10, or https://www.fhfa.gov. Contact Brian Doherty, FHFA, 202-408-2991.

COMMENTS SOUGHT ON FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK MEMBERSHIP. The Federal Housing Finance Agency invites input on possible alternatives for revising its regulations governing FHLB membership. Deadline is March 28. See Federal Register, 12/27/10, or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Eric M. Raudenbush, FHFA, eric.raudenbush@fhfa.gov, 202-414-6421.

DIVERSITY REQUIRED FOR FANNIE, FREDDIE, AND FHLBS. A Federal Housing Finance Agency final rule implements a legislative provision that requires Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks to promote diversity and the inclusion of women and minorities in all activities. See Federal Register, 12/28/10, or https://www.fhfa.gov. Contact Eric Howard, FHFA, eric.howard@fhfa.gov, 202-408-2502.

WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS ESTABLISHED. The Council’s website says it will focus on highlighting ways to enlist more Americans and leaders across sectors to help catalyze change in communities to address important goals in education, youth development and employment. Visit https://www.serve.gov/communitysolutions. Contact Susannah Washburn, swashburn@cns.gov.

NEW PUBLICATIONS PROVIDE NSP CASE STUDIES. NeighborWorks America profiles 12 NeighborWorks organizations, most in metro areas, that are stabilizing communities impacted by the foreclosure crisis across the country. Implementing the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP): Community Stabilization in the NeighborWorks Network is at https://www.stablecommunities.org/library/implementingnsp. Neighborhood Stabilization Program: Innovative Development Strategies for Very Low-Income Housing features five metro area places and is available from the National Housing Law Project at https://nhlp.org/files/NHLP%20NSP%20Best%20Practices%20Final_0.pdf.

ART COLLINGS INTERNSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED. As a memorial to Art, who served as a mentor and trainer to many rural housers, HAC has created the Art Collings Internship. The first Collings intern will work at HAC during summer 2011. Donations in Art’s memory are welcome. Checks can be made out to the Housing Assistance Council, with “Collings internship” on the memo line, and mailed to HAC’s national office.

https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/grpruralinno.cfm. When it is posted at https://www.grants.gov, HUD will begin accepting applications and the 60-day application period will begin. A new mapping tool, not yet operating, will provide consistent needs data for applicants. Contact Robert Duncan, HUD, 202-402-4681.

FAIR HOUSING INITIATIVES PROGRAM FUNDS OFFERED. Fair housing organizations, nonprofits or others with anti-discrimination programs, and government agencies can apply by December 21 for three initiatives: Private Enforcement, Education and Outreach, and Fair Housing Organizations. Visit https://www.grants.gov or https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/grpfhip.cfm. Contact Myron P. Newry, 202-402-7095.

CAPITAL MAGNET FUND INTERIM RULE ISSUED. The CDFI Fund requests comments by February 1 on this program, which provides grants to CDFIs and nonprofit intermediaries for affordable housing and economic development. See Federal Register, 12/3/10 or https://www.cdfifund.gov. Contact Jeffrey C. Berg, 202-622-8662.

PRESIDENT TO SIGN BILL SETTLING BLACK FARMERS AND NATIVE AMERICAN TRUST LAND SUITS. Passed by the Senate November 19 and the House November 30, the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 (H.R. 4783) approves funding for the Pigford II lawsuit brought by African-American farmers, the Cobell lawsuit brought by Native Americans over the management of Indian trust accounts and resources, and four separate water rights suits by Native American tribes. The bill, scheduled for final signature on December 8, is available at https://thomas.loc.gov.

USICH SEEKS COMMENTS ON IMPROVEMENTS FOR VETERANS TO ACCESS BENEFITS. The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness requests input by December 16 at https://usich.uservoice.com as it develops a plan to remove barriers to mainstream program access for veterans and their families at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

AGENCIES SEARCHING FOR MODELS LINKING SERVICES AND HOUSING FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES. The Departments of Health and Human Services and HUD invite self-nominations by December 14 of systems that meet criteria including applicability in communities varying from large cities to rural areas, for possible inclusion in a study. Visit https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/call-for-nominations.html. Contact Emily_Holt@abtassoc.com.

HUD WEBSITE OFFERS HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DATA. Information from the Census Bureau, Labor Department, HUD, state and local governments, and the housing industry is consolidated in reports at https://www.huduser.org/portal/regional.html covering regions, states, metro areas, and counties.

NONMETRO COUNTIES WITH OUTMIGRATION MAY BE POOR OR PROSPEROUS, USDA REPORTS. An Economic Research Service paper says over a third of nonmetro counties lost at least 10% of their population through net outmigration over 1988-2008. Some lack economic opportunity. Most are relatively prosperous but quality-of-life factors inhibit inmigration. “The Two Faces of Rural Population Loss Through Outmigration” is at https://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December10/Features/RuralPopulation.htm and includes a link to the research report.

HAC ANNOUNCES 2010 AWARD RECIPIENTS. At the 2010 National Rural Housing Conference HAC presented three rural housing awards. The Henry B. González Award for elected officials went to James E. Darling, City Commissioner, McAllen, Texas, and Joe L. Piccolo, Mayor, Price City, Utah. Recipients of the Skip Jason Award for local service were Manuel Gauna, Tiempo, Inc. (posthumously); Stan Keasling, Rural Community Assistance Corporation; Selvin McGahee, Florida Non-Profit Housing; and Linda Smith, Esther Stewart Buford Foundation. The Cochran /Collings Award for service with national impact, renamed by HAC’s Board to honor Art Collings as well as Clay Cochran, was given to Tom Carew, Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises. More information about the awards and awardees is posted at https://ruralhome.org.

ART COLLINGS INTERNSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED. As a memorial to Art, who served as a mentor and trainer to many rural housers, HAC has created the Art Collings Internship. The first Collings intern will work at HAC during summer 2011. Donations in Art’s memory are welcome. Checks can be made out to the Housing Assistance Council, with “Collings internship” on the memo line, and mailed to HAC’s national office.