Information Products Archives

HAC News: January 19, 2011

January 19, 2011/in HAC News

https://ruralhome.org or https://rules.house.gov for updates. The FY12 funding process will begin when the Administration releases its budget proposals, expected to be during the week of February 14.

EPA OFFERS GRANTS TO BUILD CAPACITY TO ADDRESS CHILDREN’S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. State and local governments, tribes, and nonprofits can apply by February 18. Projects should be multi-media (involving multiple environmental health hazards), holistic (involving multiple stakeholders and built on strong partnerships), and focused on underserved communities. Visit https://www.grants.gov or https://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm. Contact seikel.kathy@epa.gov.

USDA OIG CRITICIZES SECTION 502 GUARANTEE PROGRAM. On December 6, 2010 USDA’s Office of Inspector General issued preliminary findings from an audit of Section 502 loans guaranteed with Recovery Act funding. Based on a sample of 100 loans, OIG estimated that 33% of the 81,000 loans made may have been ineligible for the program because borrowers’ incomes were too high or too low, they already owned adequate homes, or they purchased homes with swimming pools. OIG also identified instances where agency policies and guidance were unclear, inadequate, or insufficient, and suggested that agency oversight might have been a contributing factor. USDA officials did not agree with OIG’s conclusions for many of the loans it reviewed. The preliminary report is available at https://www.usda.gov/oig/rptsauditsrhs.htm.

HOMELESSNESS AND DOUBLED UP LIVING INCREASED FROM 2008 TO 2009. The National Alliance to End Homelessness studied state and national data, finding that the nation’s homeless population increased by 3% – approximately 20,000 people – from 2008 to 2009. Increased numbers of people experienced homelessness in each of the subpopulations examined: families, individuals, chronic, unsheltered. The doubled up population (people living with family or friends for economic reasons) increased by 12% to more than 6 million people. State of Homelessness in America 2011 is at https://www.endhomelessness.org/content/article/detail/3668.

USDA MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES MAY ADOPT NON-SMOKING POLICIES. An Unnumbered Letter (Dec. 29, 2010) provides guidance to owners who choose to limit smoking. The UL is available from RD offices and posted at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_UnnumberedList.html. Contact Janet Stouder, RD, 202-720-9728. A similar HUD piece from September, PIH-2010-21, is at https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/notices/hsg/10hsgnotices.cfm.

REPORT SAYS PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING CAN ALSO HELP BUILD ASSETS. Homeownership Today and Tomorrow: Building Assets While Preserving Affordability presents research showing how inclusionary housing, limited equity coops, and community land trusts can accomplish both goals and is available from the National Housing Institute at https://nhi.org/go/Assets. It is based on data presented in full in Balancing Affordability and Opportunity: An Evaluation of Affordable Homeownership Programs with Long-term Affordability Controls, available from the Urban Institute at https://www.urban.org/sharedequity.

HOUSING COUNSELING 101 PODCAST OFFERED. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling series is in-tended to help homeowners understand the use of housing counseling to avoid foreclosure. Visit https://www.nfcc.org/housing/index.cfm.

WEBSITE COVERS RECOVERY ACT IMPACT IN INDIAN COUNTRY. Created by the National Congress of American Indians, https://www.indiancountryworks.org provides information and links to news and data, as well as two 2010 NCAI reports on the Recovery Act’s activities and remaining need.

SUCCESSFUL AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNICATIONS DESCRIBED. What Works and Why: Affordable Housing Communications Campaigns 2000-2010 describes 15 campaigns by advocates and government agencies to build public and political support for affordable housing and to counteract negative attitudes. The report is $12.00 from the Partnership for Sustainable Communities at https://www.p4sc.org/articles/category/54 or 415-453-2100.

HUD OFFERS EMAIL LISTS AND A NEW BLOG. Lists on multifamily property disposition, rural economic development, homelessness, lead based paint, and several other topics are open to the public. To sign up, visit https://www.hud.gov/subscribe/. A new blog, the HUDdle, is online at https://blog.hud.gov.

HAC News: January 5, 2011

January 5, 2011/in HAC News

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.

HAC News: December 20, 2010

December 20, 2010/in HAC News

https://thomas.loc.gov.

EMERGENCY CAPITAL REPAIR GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR ELDERLY PROJECTS. HUD will award funds as applications are received for properties owned by nonprofits and designated for elderly occupancy and financed by HUD or having project-based Section 8 (including Section 515 properties with Section 8). Grants can be used to repair immediate threats to health, safety, and quality of life of residents. See https://www.grants.gov or www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/grpecrg.cfm. Contact G. DeWayne Kimbrough, HUD, 202-708-3000.

HUD REQUESTS COMMENTS ON 202/811 PROCESSING. A draft notice would revise procedures relating to processing activities after selection of Section 202 and Section 811 applications for fund reservations, including mixed-finance transactions. Visit www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/progdesc/progdesc.cfm. Comments are due January 18. Contact Kerry Mulholland, HUD, 202-708-3000 ext. 2649.

FHLBANK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LENDING RULE FINAL. Community financial institution (CFI) members of the Federal Home Loan Banks may use community development loans as collateral for FHLBank advances, and FHLBanks may make long-term advances to CFIs for community development activities. The rule also defines “community development” and related terms. See Federal Register, 12/9/10 or www.fhfa.gov/Default.aspx?Page=89. Contact Thomas E. Joseph, FHFA, thomas.joseph@fhfa.gov, 202-414-3095.

FINAL RULE PROVIDES CRA CREDIT FOR SUPPORTING NSP PROJECTS. The regulatory agencies that enforce the Community Reinvestment Act will give favorable consideration to lenders’ community development activities in Neighborhood Stabilization Program target areas. See Federal Register, 12/20/10 or www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/bcreg/20101215a.htm. Contact Michael S. Bylsma, OCC, 202-874-5750.

INTERAGENCY APPRAISAL AND EVALUATION GUIDELINES ISSUED FOR FEDERALLY REGULATED LENDERS. Regulatory agencies’ guidelines apply to real estate loans and other transactions for lenders including credit unions. Loans made or guaranteed by government entities are exempt. See Federal Register, 12/10/10 or www.occ.gov/news-issuances/bulletins/2010/bulletin-2010-42.html. Contact Robert L. Parson, OCC, 202-874-5411.

ACS DATA PUBLISHED FOR PLACES UNDER 20,000. Visit https://factfinder.census.gov for American Community Survey 2005-2009 data covering housing and other topics formerly included in the decennial census.

FIRST 2010 CENSUS DATA TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 21. Available that day will be population figures for the U.S. and the states, as well as the congressional apportionment totals for each state. Additional 2010 Census data will be released in coming months. Visit https://www.census.gov.

2009 FEDERAL SPENDING DATA AVAILABLE FOR COUNTIES. The figures compiled by USDA’s Economic Research Service include each USDA and HUD housing program. Visit https://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FederalFunds/ for data from 2009 and previous years to 2004.

NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS ONLINE. PowerPoints and handouts from many (not all) workshop panelists from the December 1-3 conference are posted at https://www.slideshare.net/nrhc2010.

HAC STUDY EXAMINES POSSIBLE REASONS FOR DECLINE IN DIRECT SECTION 502 LOANS TO VERY LOW-INCOME BORROWERS. USDA has had increasing difficulty meeting the legal requirement to loan at least 40% of direct Section 502 dollars to homebuyers with incomes under 50% of area median. HAC’s research considered external and internal factors such as changes in number of applications, closing of county offices, use of the Payment Assistance 2 program, changes in housing costs, and more. Very Low-Income Loan Obligations within USDA’s Section 502 Direct Homeownership Loan Program is free at https://ruralhome.org or $4.00 from Lawrence Adams, HAC, 202-842-8600.

SEASON’S GREETINGS! HAC’s board and staff wish peace, happiness, and affordable housing to all!

HAC News: December 8, 2010

December 8, 2010/in HAC News

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.

Very Low-Income Loan Obligations Within USDA’s Section 502 Direct Homeownership Loan Program

December 1, 2010/in

This publication reports the findings of HAC’s research on factors that have contributed to the decreasing rate of very low-income loan obligations and recommends strategies to address these challenges.
2010, 36 pages, ISBN 978-1-58064-164-7

Very Low-Income Loan Obligations Within USDA’s Section 502 Direct Homeownership Loan Program (PDF)

Conference 2010: Rural Housing Leaders Reflect: Where do we go from here?

November 30, 2010/in Rural Voices

Access a pdf version of Rural Voices.

Pinky Clifford, Oglala Sioux Tribal Partnerships for Housing
Peter Carey, Self-Help Enterprises
Rose Garcia, Tierra del Sol Housing Corporation
John Zippert, The Federation of Southern Cooperatives
Steve Kirk, Rural Housing, Inc.
Griffin Lotson, Sams Memorial Community Economic Development, Inc.
Art Gonzales, Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Corporation
Polly Nichol, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

HAC News: November 10, 2010

November 16, 2010/in HAC News

https://w ww.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room, USDA’s announcement of regional meetings in a November 1 press release at https://www.usda.gov, and a HUD blog post at https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/press/blog.

NOVEMBER 14-20 IS NATIONAL HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK. Details from the National Coalition for the Homeless are posted at https://www.nationalhomeless.org/projects/awareness/index.html.

NEW CONGRESS MEANS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT KEY PLAYERS FOR HOUSING. The new 112th Congress next year will have many new chairs and members of committees that impact appropriations and authorizations for both USDA and HUD programs. Details are posted on HAC’s site, https://ruralhome.org.

FUTURE OF 2011 APPROPRIATIONS UNCLEAR. With a continuing resolution in effect until December 3, the current Congress reconvenes on November 15 for a lame duck session. It is currently unclear whether 2011 appropriations will be funded in an omnibus bill, a year-long continuing resolution, or another short-term CR until early next year. There also seem to be possibilities for inclusion of several pieces of authorizing legislation in an omnibus spending measure, but that too is uncertain. Watch HAC’s website at https://ruralhome.org for updates.

PRESERVATION REVOLVING LOAN FUND NOFA PUBLISHED. USDA Rural Development will grant funds to intermediary lenders for revolving funds to assist with preservation of Section 515 and 514/516 housing. Deadline is January 10. See Federal Register, 11/9/10, or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_NOFAs.html. Contact Timothy James, RD, 202-720-1094, timothy.james@wdc.usda.gov.

HUD OFFERS FSS AND ROSS FUNDS. PHAs can apply by December 6 for Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency funds; contact HUD’s Public and Indian Housing Resource Center at 800-955-2232. PHAs, THDEs, tribes, nonprofits, and resident groups can apply by February 21 for the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinators Program; contact Anice Schervish Chenault at Anice.S.Chenault@hud.gov or 202-402-2341. PHAs and TDHEs can apply by January 19 for ROSS FSS funds; contact Ms. Chenault. Visit https://www.grants.gov or https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail.

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR NATIVE CDFIS. Current or potential CDFIs that target at least 50% of their activities to Native Americans, Hawaiians, or Alaskans are eligible for financial or technical assistance grants. Deadline is December 22. Visit https://www.cdfifund.gov. Contact CDFI Fund staff, 202-622-6355, cdfihelp@cdfi.treas.gov.

NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND REGULATIONS PROPOSED. Comments are due December 28. A National Low Income Housing Coalition summary is at https://www.nlihc.org/detail/article.cfm?article_id=7443. See Federal Register, 10/29/10 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Marcia Sigal, HUD, 202-402-3002.

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENERGY EFFICIENCY EFFORT LAUNCHED. Under a USDA-DOE partnership, contractors will inspect homes and make recommendations for energy retrofits. The program will be piloted in Indiana, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Homeowners may apply for existing RD energy efficiency program funding. USDA’s November 9 press release is in the newsroom at https://www.usda.gov.

RURAL CHILD POVERTY RATES AS HIGH AS 55.8%, CARSEY INSTITUTE REPORTS. Reviewing data for children under age 6, researchers found rural children poorer than those in central cities, with African Americans having the highest rates, followed by Hispanics and then whites. “The Unequal Distribution of Child Poverty: Highest Rates among Young Blacks and Children of Single Mothers in Rural America” is at https://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/.

JOINT CENTER CONSIDERS FUTURE OF LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT. A new Joint Center for Housing Studies paper entitled “Long-Term Low Income Housing Tax Credit Policy Questions” is available at https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/.

LENDING INFORMATION SCARCE FOR RURAL AREAS, HAC REPORTS. A new research note, “Improving HMDA: A Need to Better Understand Rural Mortgage Markets” is free at https://ruralhome.org or $1.00 from Lawrence Adams, HAC, lawrence@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

PREPARE FOR THE CONFERENCE ON TWITTER! HAC has launched a Twitter feed for the 2010 National Rural Housing Conference at @NRHC10. To get started, visit https://www.twitter.com. The conference will be held in Washington, DC, December 1-3.

HAC News: October 27, 2010

October 27, 2010/in HAC News

https://www.grants.gov and https://www.hudhre.info. The deadline remains November 18. Submit questions at https://www.hudhre.info/helpdesk/.

NSP3 INFORMATION PUBLISHED. A HUD notice provides the allocation formula and amounts, the list of grantees, alternative requirements, and the waivers of regulations for grantees under the third round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding. The program requirements in this notice apply to NSP1 also; the allocation and application information apply only to NSP3. See Federal Register, 10/19/10 or https://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/neighborhoodspg/index.cfm. Contact Stanley Gimont, HUD, 202-708-3587.

HUD OFFERS SNAPS-TA FUNDING. States, local governments, and nonprofits can apply by November 22 for funds to provide technical assistance for McKinney-Vento homeless programs or for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/grpsnaps-ta.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Contact Holly Kelly, HUD, Holly.A.Kelly@hud.gov, 202-402-6324.

CAPITAL FUND EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM NOFA RELEASED. The CFCF program will provide capital funding to PHAs for facilities to provide early childhood education, adult education, and job training programs for public housing residents. Deadline is January 14. Visit https://www.grants.gov or https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail. Contact Jeffrey Riddel, HUD, pihoci@hud.gov, 202-708-1640, ext. 4999.

FINAL RULE ALLOWS PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUNDS FOR FINANCING. Financing activities may include payment of debt service, and housing development and modernization activities. A PHA may grant a security interest in future Capital Fund grants. HUD is still considering the use of operating funds for financing activities. See Federal Register, 10/21/10 or https://www.hud.gov/hudclips. Contact Jeffrey Riddel, HUD, 202-708-1640, ext. 4999.

FEMA REQUESTS COMMENTS ON DISASTER HOUSING GUIDE. The Disaster Temporary Housing Operational guide, intended to present a comprehensive picture of FEMA housing assistance and support, is available at https://www.regulations.gov (docket ID FEMA-2010-0062). Comments are due November 22. Contact Stephen Miller, FEMA, 202-212-1000.

HUD FINALIZES VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT REGULATION. VAWA protects victims of domestic violence, including those living in public housing or participating in HUD’s tenant-based and project-based Section 8 programs. See Federal Register, 10/27/10, or https://www.hud.gov/hudclips. Contact HUD program staff.

GUIDANCE OFFERED ON FHA AND PROTECTING TENANTS AT FORECLOSURE ACT. HUD’s interpretive notice addresses differences between FHA regulations and the PTFA when an FHA mortgage is foreclosed. See Federal Register, 10/28/10 or https://www.hud.gov/hudclips. Contact Vance Morris, HUD, 202-708-1672.

USDA CALCULATES JOBS IMPACTED BY HOUSING SPENDING. A report on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act accomplishments says Section 502 direct loans saved or created 19,500 jobs and Section 502 guaranteed loans did the same for 125,000 jobs. The report includes data on USDA ARRA funds for each state and is free at https://www.usda.gov/documents/USDA_ARRA_AnnualReport_10192010.pdf.

GAO FINDS PROBLEMS IN AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING. A review found that many state and local governments’ Analyses of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice were out of date, and many current AIs did not provide timelines for addressing identified problems. Housing and Community Grants: HUD Needs to Enhance Its Requirements and Oversight of Jurisdictions’ Fair Housing Plans (GAO-10-905) is free at https://www.gao.gov or available for a fee from GAO, 202-512-6000.

RURAL CHDOS’ CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES DESCRIBED IN RURAL VOICES MAGAZINE. “Rural CHDOs: Building Capacity, Building Homes” is the fall issue of HAC’s quarterly magazine Rural Voices. This and back issues are free at https://ruralhome.org. One print subscription per organization is free from Lawrence Adams, HAC, 202-842-8600, lawrence@ruralhome.org.

REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 1 TO GET EARLY BIRD RATES FOR HAC’S 2010 NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE! Visit https://ruralhome.org or contact staff at HACconference2010@ruralhome.org or 202-842-8600 ext. 137.

Fall 2010: Rural CHDOs: Building Capacity, Building Homes

October 20, 2010/in Rural Voices

Access a pdf version of Rural Voices.

Special Feature – 2010 HAC National Rural Housing Conference: Honoring Our Past As We Look to the Future
Navigating the CHDO Process – Total Action Against Poverty
Celebrating California’s First Native American-Based Community Housing Development Organization – United Native Housing Development Corporation
With Tighter Budgets, Vermont CHDOs Focus on Sustainability – Vermont Housing and Conservation Board
Making Homeownership Dreams a Reality–at an Affordable Price – Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc.
Capacity Leads to Access – North East Community Action Corporation

HAC News: October 13, 2010

October 13, 2010/in HAC News

. The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act (S. 118) and the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act (S. 1481) were approved by the Senate Banking Committee on September 30. S. 1481 is the same as H.R. 1675, which passed the House in July; S. 118 is similar to Title VII of H.R. 4868, which passed the House Financial Services Committee in July. Both bills may be enacted into law after Congress returns to work on November 15. Bills are available at https://thomas.loc.gov.

CRA REFORM LEGISLATION INTRODUCED. The American Community Reinvestment Reform Act, H.R. 6334, introduced on September 29 by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and others, would expand the Community Reinvestment Act to cover non-bank lenders, improve enforcement, and increase the importance of community development activities. The bill is available at https://thomas.loc.gov.

YOUTHBUILD FUNDS AVAILABLE. Public and private nonprofits can apply by December 3 for grants to provide disadvantaged youth with skills while improving housing. Visit https://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Fax questions to Ariam Ferro, DOL, 202-693-2705, labeled SGA/DFA PY 10-02 and including complete contact information.

CDFI PROGRAM 2011 ROUND OPENS. Applications are due November 19 for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund’s Financial Assistance and Technical Assistance aid. CDFIs can apply for only FA or TA, not both. A webinar, conference calls, and on-site workshops are available for potential applicants. See Federal Register, 10/6/10 or https://www.cdfifund.gov. Contact James Yagley, yagleyj@cdfi.treas.gov.

HUD OFFERS FAMILY UNIFICATION VOUCHERS. PHAs can apply by December 1. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/grpfup.cfm. Contact Amaris Rodriguez, 202-708-0477, amaris.rodriguez@hud.gov.

HUD REQUESTS INPUT ON PROPOSED SECTION 202 AND 811 LEGISLATION. Comments are due November 15 on proposals that would reform both programs, separate from the bills pending in Congress (described above). The Section 202 program’s 15% setaside for nonmetro areas would be eliminated, replaced by distribution based on housing needs. HUD’s proposals are posted at www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/202811/sec202reform.cfm and www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/202811/sec811reform.cfm. Contact Benjamin Metcalf, HUD, benjamin.t.metcalf@hud.gov or Leslie Strauss, HAC, leslie@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

SECTION 8 RENEWAL POLICY GUIDE BOOK REVISIONS AVAILABLE. HUD seeks comments by November 15 on changes to its comprehensive guidance for renewing expiring Section 8 contracts, available at https://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/mfhsec8.cfm. Contact Kerry Mulholland, HUD, 202-708-3000, ext. 2649.

USDA OBLIGATED 85% OF SECTION 502 DIRECT FUNDS AVAILABLE IN FY 2010. A total of $2.144 billion were obligated, 55% more than the $1.39 billion committed in FY 2009. In 2010, very low-income borrowers received 36% of the total, less than the 40% required but the highest dollar amount USDA has ever spent in one year in the category. A National Rural Housing Coalition analysis is posted on HAC’s website, https://ruralhome.org.

NON-HOMEOWNERSHIP FACTORS MAY EXPLAIN BENEFITS TO CHILDREN, RESEARCHERS FIND. A Center for Housing Policy research brief summarizes three recent reports testing the hypothesis that homeownership directly leads to better outcomes for children. The studies found that what really matters are other factors such as residential stability, neighborhood quality, and the parents themselves. Foundation for Success? A Review of New Research on the Effects of Homeownership on Children is posted at https://www.nhc.org/publications/.

CASE STUDIES HIGHLIGHT LIVABILITY AND TRANSIT IN RURAL PLACES. Twelve case studies compiled by Transportation for America are available at https://t4america.org/tag/livability-case-studies/.

GAO REVIEWS WAYS OF DISTRIBUTING CDBG FUNDS. A new study examines how entitlement jurisdictions and states distribute CDBG monies and finds few issues related to methods of distribution. Community Development Block Grants: Entitlement Communities’ and States’ Methods of Distributing Funds Reflect Program Flexibility (GAO-10-1011) is free at https://www.gao.gov or available for a fee from GAO, 202-512-6000.

REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 1 TO GET EARLY BIRD RATES FOR HAC’S 2010 NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE! “A Place to Live: Rural Housing in a Changing Landscape” will be held December 1-3 in Washington, DC. Pre-conference activities begin November 30. Limited scholarships are available for nonprofits. Visit https://ruralhome.org or contact staff at HACconference2010@ruralhome.org or 202-842-8600 ext. 137.