Information Products Archives

HAC News: July 21, 2010

July 21, 2010/in HAC News

Access a pdf version of this HAC News. • Senate Committee supports USDA rural housing programs for 2011 • HUD FY 2011 funding bills move forward • Banking reform act becomes law with housing provisions • HUD issues guidelines for state and local agencies’ subsidy layering reviews • Revisions proposed to HUD Code for manufactured housing • Unnumbered Letters give USDA multifamily housing guidance

July 21, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 15

SENATE COMMITTEE SUPPORTS USDA RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR 2011. On July 15 the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a USDA funding bill for FY 2011, boosting Section 502 single-family loans and holding most other rural housing programs level. The Committee rejected the Obama Administration’s proposed elimination of USDA’s MPR rural rental preservation demonstration program and also kept Section 515 rental housing at $69 million. The loan level for Section 502 guaranteed loans would double to $24 billion; 3.5% origination fees and 0.5% annual servicing fees would make the program self-supporting. Section 502 direct loans received a modest increase to $1.2 billion. House appropriators passed a 2011 USDA spending bill on June 30, but its details are not yet available. The full Senate bill (S. 3606) and the Senate Committee’s report, are available at thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app11.html.

USDA Rural Development Program (dollars in millions)	FY09 Approp.	FY10 Approp.	FY11 Budget Proposal	FY11 Senate Bill (S. 3606)
*Loans*
502 Single Fam. Direct	$2,121.5a	$1,121	$1,200	$1,200
502 Single Family Guar.	16,699 a	12,000	12,000	24,000
504 Very Low-inc. Repair	34.4	34.4	34	34
514 Farm Labor Hsg.	20	27.3	27	27.2
515 Rental Hsg. Direct	69.5	69.5	95.2	69.5
538 Rental Hsg. Guar.	129.1	129.1	129.1	129.1
Rental Prsrv. Revlg. Loans	2.9	1.8	0	2.7
*Grants & Payments*
504 Very Low-inc. Repair	29.7	31.6	31	31.6
516 Farm Labor Hsg.	9.1	9.9	10	9.9
523 Self-Help TA	38.7	41.9	37	41.9
533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants	8.9	9.4	9.4	9.4
521 Rental Assistance (1-yr. contracts) Preservation RA New Construction 515 RA New Construction 514/516 RA	902.5 (6) (2.03) (3.4)	980 (6) (2.03) (3.4)	966 0 (3) (3)	971.6 (6) (3) (3)
542 Rural Hsg. Vouchers	5	16.4	18	16.4
Rental Prsrv. Demo. (MPR)	20	25	0	25

a. Includes Recovery Act funds.

HUD FY 2011 FUNDING BILLS MOVE FORWARD. The House Appropriations Committee approved the Transportation-HUD bill on July 20, making no changes in the funding levels reported in the HAC News, 7/7/10. The Senate’s T-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee passed a bill on July 21 and the full Committee is expected to mark it up July 22. Details have not been made public yet but will be posted at www.ruralhome.org when available.

BANKING REFORM ACT BECOMES LAW WITH HOUSING PROVISIONS. The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act adds $1 billion to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, extends the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act, and authorizes new foreclosure-related efforts. Find H.R. 4173 at https://thomas.loc.gov.

HUD ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES’ SUBSIDY LAYERING REVIEWS. No additional HUD reviews would be needed for project-based Section 8 properties. See Federal Register, 7/9/10, https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-16827.pdf. Contact Michael Dennis, HUD, 202-402-3882.

REVISIONS PROPOSED TO HUD CODE FOR MANUFACTURED HOUSING. Comments are due September 13 on revisions recommended by the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee. See Federal Register, 7/13/10 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact HUD’s Office of Regulatory Affairs and Manufactured Housing, 202-708-6401.

UNNUMBERED LETTERS GIVE USDA MULTIFAMILY HOUSING GUIDANCE. A UL dated May 20 clarifies the closing responsibilities for Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Demonstration Program transactions. Contact multifamily@stl.usda.gov with “MPR” in the subject line. A UL dated May 19 addresses completion and proper submission of multi-family housing payment documents. Both are available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_unnumberedList.html or from RD offices. Contact Diane Larson, RD, 712-243-2915.

HAC News: July 7, 2010

July 7, 2010/in HAC News

Access a pdf version of this HAC News. • HUD, USDA spending bills for FY 2011 approved by House Subcommittees • Financial reform bill finalized • Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant NOFA released • 2009 American Housing Survey data available • Varying definitions of homelessness complicate services and data, GAO finds • HAC testifies at Rural Development Forum on Self Help Housing • HAC seeks nominations for rural housing awards • SAVE THE DATE FOR HAC’S NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE 2010!

July 7, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 14

HUD, USDA spending bills for FY 2011 approved by House Subcommittees. Congressional appropriators on June 30 and July 1 began the first steps toward an FY 2011 budget for HUD and USDA rural housing programs. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture passed a bill on June 30, but full details are not yet known on the rural housing programs. Rural Housing Service loans and grants are funded at $1.322 billion, $101.8 million below the 2010 level but $71.9 million above the President’s 2011 budget request. Rural housing programs will most likely stay at 2010 levels.

The Transportation-HUD Subcommittee, meeting July 1, rejected HUD’s proposals to cut or eliminate HOME, Indian housing, Sec. 202, Sec. 811, SHOP, and the Rural Innovation Fund. Those programs continue at 2010 levels. But the panel also declined to fund several new ideas proposed in the President’s budget, including Transforming Rental Assistance, Catalytic Investments, and Capacity Building. See the table below for HUD details.

Information on both bills, including lists of earmarks, is available at https://appropriations.house.gov. Complete details will be available after the full House Appropriations Committee considers the bills. Details, as available, will be posted at https://ruralhome.org.

HUD Program (dollars in millions)	FY 2010 Approp.	President’s FY 2011 Budget Proposal	FY 2011 House THUD Subcomm. Bill
Cmty. Devel. Block Grants Sustainable Commun. Initiative Rural Innovation Fund a Catalytic Investment Grants b	$4,450 (150) (25) –	4,380.1 (150) 0 (150)	4,352.1 (150) (25) 0
HOME	1,825	1,650	1,825
Tenant-Based Rental Asstnce.	16,339	17,310	17,225
Project-Based Rental Asstnce.	8,551.5	9,382.3	9,382.3
Transforming Rental Asstnce. c	–	350	0
Vets. Affairs Spptve Hsg. Vouchers	75	0	75
Public Hsg. Capital Fund	2,500	2,044	2,500
Public Hsg. Operating Fund	4,775	4,829	4,829
Public Hsg. Revtlztn. (HOPE VI)	135	0	200
Choice Neighbrhd. Initiative d	65	250	0
Native Amer. Hsg. Block Grant	700	580	700
Homeless Assistance Grants	1,865	2,055	2,055
Hsg. Opps. for Persons w/ AIDS	335	340	350
202 Hsg. for Elderly	825	273	825
811 Hsg. for Disabled	300	90	300
Fair Housing	72	>61	72
Rural Hsg. & Econ. Dev. (RHED) e	0	0	0
Healthy Homes & Lead Haz. Contrl.	140	140	140
Self-Help Homeownshp. (SHOP)	27	0	27
Brownfields Redevelopment	17.5	0	17.5
Housing Counseling	87.5	88	88

a. New program replacing Rural Housing & Economic Development.
b. New program for economic development and gap financing for community revitalization.
c. New program for rental preservation, efficiency and resident choice.
d. Demonstration initially proposed in FY 2010 budget to replace HOPE VI.
e. Replaced by Rural Innovation Fund.

Financial reform bill finalized. The House has passed a conference committee’s version of H.R. 4173, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The Senate may vote next week on the bill, which would extend the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act, provide $1 billion for a third round of HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and try to block predatory lending. Search by bill number at https://thomas.loc.gov.

Sustainable Communities RegionalPlanning Grant NOFA released. HUD has posted the FY 2010 NOFA for the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant, which has approximately $98 million to support multijurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments. At least $25 million will go to areas with populations under 500,000. Deadline to apply is August 23, 2010. For information, visit https://www.hud.gov/sustainability or contact Zuleika K. Morales-Romero, 202-402-7683 or Zuleika.K.Morales@hud.gov.

2009 American Housing Survey data available. AHS is conducted every two years by the Census Bureau and HUD. Preliminary figures from the 2009 AHS estimate there are approximately 111.9 million occupied housing units in the United States, an increase of about 1.2 million units from 2007. The survey indicates that roughly 25 million, or 22 percent of occupied homes are located outside of metropolitan areas. Data are published online at https://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/ahs/ahsdata09.html. To order data in print or on disk, call the Customer Services Center, 301-763-INFO (4636).

Varying definitions of homelessness complicate services and data, GAO finds. Researchers report that data collected by the Departments of Education, HHS, and HUD cannot be compared, and eligibility rules may be confusing. Homelessness: A Common Vocabulary Could Help Agencies Collaborate and Collect More Consistent Data (GAO-10-702) is free at https://www.gao.gov or at cost from GAO, 866-801-7077.

HAC testifies at Rural Development Forum on Self Help Housing. Rural Development held public forums to solicit feedback on the current method of delivering the self-help program with a focus on the Technical and Management Assistance contracts under Section 523. Ten forums were held between February and June across the country. Written comments can be submitted until July 15. Visit https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/Admin/2010SelfHelpForums.htm. Contact Debra S. Arnold, RD, 202-720-1366, debra.arnold@wdc.usda.gov. HAC’s testimony can be viewed at https://ruralhome.org.

HAC seeks nominations for rural housing awards. At the National Rural Housing Conference in December, HAC will present three rural housing awards; the Cochran/Collings Award for national rural housing service, the Skip Jason Community Service Award, and the Henry B. Gonzalez Award for local or tribal elected officials. The national service award is named after Clay Cochran and Arthur M. Collings. Dr. Cochran was a mentor and pioneer in the rural housing movement whose work dates back to the 1930s and 1940s. Collings, who passed away in March 2010, combined feistiness, humor, and an extensive knowledge of rural housing programs while working for USDA and HAC. The Community Service Award is named after Robert “Skip” Jason, a long-time housing activist with considerable community experience. The Elected Official Award is named for Henry B. Gonzalez, who served in Congress from 1961 to 1998 and chaired the House Banking Committee. Nominations are due September 15. For information, visit https://ruralhome.org or contact Lilla Sutton, HAC, 202-842-8600, lilla@ruralhome.org.

SAVE THE DATE FOR HAC’S NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE 2010! Plan to join rural housers from around the country in Washington, DC, December 1-3, 2010 for “A Place to Live: Rural Housing in a Changing Landscape.” Details will be posted at https://ruralhome.org as available.

HAC News: June 23, 2010

June 23, 2010/in HAC News

Access a pdf version of this HAC News. • HUD/DOT planning grants offered • RD extends eligibility for Section 538 continuous guarantee demo • HUD considers simplifying procedure for completing new manufactured homes on site • Rules set for new water/waste disposal program • Proposal would give CRA credit for NSP activities • Comments invited on CRA regulations • Comments sought on National Energy Rating Program for Homes • National homelessness plan released • State of the nation’s housing is mixed, says annual study • Green building symposium materials available online • Rural Voices magazine features green building • HAC seeks nominations for rural housing awards

June 23, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 13

HUD/DOT PLANNING GRANTS OFFERED. A joint NOFA offers HUD’s Community Challenge Planning Grants and Department of Transportation planning grants to state and local government entities. Visit https://www.grants.gov. Contact TIGERIIGrants@dot.gov or sustainablecommunities@hud.gov; Robert Mariner, DOT, 202-366-8914; or Zuleika K. Morales-Romero, HUD, 202-402-7683, zuleika.k.morales@hud.gov.

RD EXTENDS ELIGIBILITY FOR SECTION 538 CONTINUOUS GUARANTEE DEMO. Lenders with Section 538 guaranteed rural rental housing obligations issued after October 1, 2007 (rather than 2009) are now eligible to apply for guarantees that cover construction through permanent financing. (See HAC News, 5/12/10). See Federal Register, 5/14/10, or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_NOFAs.html. Contact Tammy Daniels, RD, 202-720-0021.

HUD CONSIDERS SIMPLIFYING PROCEDURE FOR COMPLETING NEW MANUFACTURED HOMES ON SITE. A proposed rule would establish uniform procedures for manufacturers to complete construction of homes at installation sites rather than in factories, without advance approval from HUD. Comments are due August 23. See Federal Register, 6/23/10, or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact William W. Matchneer III, HUD, 202-708-6409.

RULES SET FOR NEW WATER/WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM. RD will use up to 4% of its water and waste disposal funding for the new Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) program to make predevelopment and planning grants to public agencies, nonprofits, and tribes for projects in financially distressed communities with populations under 2,500. See Federal Register, 6/24/10 or www.rurdev.usda.gov/RDU_Regulations.html. Contact Anita O’Brien, RD, 202-690-3789, anita.obrien@usda.gov.

PROPOSAL WOULD GIVE CRA CREDIT FOR NSP ACTIVITIES. Comments are due July 23 on a revised Community Reinvestment Act regulation covering loans, investments, and services that support activities eligible for Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding in target areas identified in NSP plans. Activities could be outside a financial institution’s assessment area. See Federal Register, 6/24/10 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Michael S. Bylsma, OCC, 202-874-5750.

COMMENTS INVITED ON CRA REGULATIONS. The agencies that regulate banks and thrifts request written or oral comments on whether and how they should revise their regulations to better serve the Community Reinvestment Act’s goals. Public hearings will be held in four cities between July 19 and August 17. Written comments may be submitted through August 31. Visit https://www.ffiec.gov/cra/hearings.htm or contact Barry Wides, OCC, Barry.Wides@occ.treas.gov, 202-874-4930.

COMMENTS SOUGHT ON NATIONAL ENERGY RATING PROGRAM FOR HOMES. Comment by July 10 on a Department of Energy proposed program to encourage consumers to invest in energy improvements in existing homes. Details are posted at https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/home_rating_rfi.html. Contact Joan Glickman, buildingratingRFI@ee.doe.gov.

NATIONAL HOMELESSNESS PLAN RELEASED. Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness is intended to serve as a roadmap for action by federal agencies along with local and state partners in the public and private sectors, to end veterans and chronic homelessness by 2015, and to end homelessness among children, family, and youth by 2020. Visit https://www.usich.gov.

STATE OF THE NATION’S HOUSING IS MIXED, SAYS ANNUAL STUDY. Harvard’s 2010 report notes numerous improvements and challenges in the U.S. housing situation as a whole, with continuing shortages of affordable housing for owners and renters. The State of the Nation’s Housing 2010 is free at https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/ or $15 from the Joint Center for Housing Studies, 617-495-7809.

GREEN BUILDING SYMPOSIUM MATERIALS AVAILABLE ONLINE. Materials from “Building Green in Rural America: A Symposium on Policy and Practice,” hosted by HAC and the Home Depot Foundation on June 9 in Washington, DC, are posted on HAC’s website at https://ruralhome.org.

RURAL VOICES MAGAZINE FEATURES GREEN BUILDING. The spring issue of HAC’s quarterly magazine describes nonprofits building green affordable housing. Rural Voices is free at https://ruralhome.org. One print subscription per organization is free from Lawrence Adams, HAC, 202-842-8600, lawrence@ruralhome.org.

HAC SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR RURAL HOUSING AWARDS. At the National Rural Housing Conference in December, HAC will present the Cochran/Collings Award for national rural housing service, the Skip Jason Community Service Award, and the Henry B. Gonzalez Award for local or tribal elected officials. Nominations are due September 15. Visit www.ruralhome.org or contact Lilla Sutton, HAC, 202-842-8600, lilla@ruralhome.org.

Spring 2010: Going for Green

June 15, 2010/in Rural Voices

Access a pdf version of Rural Voices.

Energy Efficiency – Profile: Rural Development, Inc.
Sustainable Sites – Profile: Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Water Conservation – Profile: OPAL Community Land Trust
Green Rehabilitation – Profile: Umpqua CDC
Materials & Resources – Profile: Community Housing Partners
Indoor Air Quality – Profile: Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation
Special Feature – National Rural Housing Conference 2010: Learning Opportunities

USDA Rural Development Obligations FY 10

June 15, 2010/in USDA RD Annual Obligations

Back to USDA RD Obligations

Rural Development Obligations – Fiscal Year 2010

(Through September FY 2010)

Single Family Housing Program Obligations

Multi-Family Housing Program Obligations

Unallocated Program Obligations

HAC News: June 9, 2010

June 9, 2010/in HAC News

Access a pdf version of this HAC News. • June is National Homeownership Month • Senate considering Extender/Jobs Bill with housing provisions • Additional funding for Section 502 guarantees still pending • HUD releases General Section for FY10 NOFAs • Section 514/516 application limit will be $3 million • Rule finalized on using AHP funds for refinancing • GSE goals proposed for rural housing, manufactured housing, and preservation • Housing goals to be established for FHLBs • Fair housing agreement reached for Texas disaster survivors • Tenants in foreclosed homes still being forced out, study finds • GAO reports federal reimbursement of nonprofits’ indirect costs is inconsistent

June 9, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 12

JUNE IS NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH. A press release at www.rurdev.usda.gov suggests contacting local RD offices for information about events. HUD’s release is available at https://www.hud.gov.

SENATE CONSIDERING EXTENDER/JOBS BILL WITH HOUSING PROVISIONS. At press time the Senate was working on H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act. The bill’s housing provisions, including funding for the National Housing Trust Fund, remained intact after some amendments to other provisions. For updates, visit https://www.nhtf.org.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SECTION 502 GUARANTEES STILL PENDING. On May 27 the Senate approved its version of H.R. 4899, the 2010 Supplemental Appropriations Act, which would provide funding to meet the entire FY 2010 demand for Section 502 guarantees. The cost would be covered by a 3.5% guarantee fee and 0.5% annual fee; USDA could waive the fees for low- and very low-income borrowers. The House Appropriations Committee will now consider the Senate bill to replace a version passed by the House in March. The bill text is available at https://Thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app10.html. Meanwhile, in a notice posted at https://ruralhome.org, USDA has authorized lenders to make commitments for Section 502 guaranteed loans, subject to availability of funds.

HUD RELEASES GENERAL SECTION FOR FY10 NOFAS. The instructions, intended to help applicants prepare for program NOFAs to be released this summer, were posted June 7 at https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail. Appendix A shows when program NOFAs are expected; HUD anticipates releasing the NOFA for the Rural Innovation Fund (replacing RHED) in July or August.

SECTION 514/516 APPLICATION LIMIT WILL BE $3 MILLION. HAC is told that a notice changing the $2 million limit in the May 10 Farm Labor Housing NOFA has been approved and will appear in the Federal Register soon. Applications are due July 9. Visit https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_NOFAs.html or contact an RD state office.

RULE FINALIZED ON USING AHP FUNDS FOR REFINANCING. The Federal Housing Finance Agency is adopting its interim final rule published on August 4, 2009 (see HAC News, 8/5/09), with changes giving the Federal Home Loan Banks more flexibility in implementing the housing counseling requirement and making housing counseling costs an eligible use of AHP subsidy. See Federal Register, 5/28/10 or https://www.fhfa.gov/Default.aspx?Page=89. Contact Melissa L. Allen, FHFA, 202-408-2524, Melissa.Allen@fhfa.gov.

GSE GOALS PROPOSED FOR RURAL HOUSING, MANUFACTURED HOUSING, AND PRESERVATION. Comments are due July 22 on goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s service to these underserved markets. See Federal Register, 6/7/10 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Mike Price, FHFA, 202-408-2941.

HOUSING GOALS TO BE ESTABLISHED FOR FHLBS. Comments are due July 12 on a proposal to establish goals for the purchase of mortgages by the larger Federal Home Loan Banks. The notice states that the FHLBs account for a small proportion of total mortgage purchases. See Federal Register, 5/28/10 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Rafe R. Ellison, FHFA, 202-408-2968.

FAIR HOUSING AGREEMENT REACHED FOR TEXAS DISASTER SURVIVORS. Texas housing advocates filed complaints charging that the state’s proposed plan for spending CDBG disaster funds for Hurricanes Dolly and Ike did not adequately address low- and moderate-income needs or prevent discrimination. HUD, which had rejected the proposed plan, approved the agreement. Texas has submitted a new proposed plan that uses needs data to allocate more funds to East Texas and more to housing. The National Low Income Housing Coalition notes that cases related to Hurricane Katrina pending in Louisiana and Mississippi could be resolved similarly. HUD’s May 25 press release is at https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/press/press_releases_media_advisories and NLIHC’s June 7 statement is at https://www.nlihc.org.

TENANTS IN FORECLOSED HOMES STILL BEING FORCED OUT, STUDY FINDS. Staying Home: The Rights of Renters Living in Foreclosed Properties explains the 2009 Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act and problems with its implementation, as well as summarizing developments in state laws protecting tenants living in foreclosed properties. The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty report is free at https://www.nlchp.org.

GAO REPORTS FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT OF NONPROFITS’ INDIRECT COSTS IS INCONSISTENT. Based on a sample of nonprofits receiving funds from HHS or Emergency Shelter Grants or HOPWA funds from HUD, research found indirect costs were treated inconsistently. Nonprofit Sector: Treatment and Reimbursement of Indirect Costs Vary Among Grants, and Depend Significantly on Federal, State, and Local Government Practices is free at https://www.gao.gov or in print at cost from GAO, 1-866-801-7077.

HAC News: May 26, 2010

May 27, 2010/in HAC News

Access a pdf version of this HAC News. • Bill to provide 502 guarantee funds introduced in Senate • House passes manufactured housing replacement bill • Administration to hold rural summit on June 3 • Funds available for Section 514/516 farmworker housing • RD offers Section 538 continuous guarantee demo • EPA amends lead paint rule • USDA studies guaranteed and direct lending • Developing in rural towns mitigates transportation cost impacts • Websites warn homeowners about loan scams • Delinquency and foreclosure lower in community land trusts • NLIHC publishes 2010 Advocates’ Guide • USDA RD updates website

May 12, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 10

May 26, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 11

Many housing provisions pending in supplemental appropriations and jobs bills. H.R. 4899, the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010, would add FY 2010

funds to the Section 502 guarantee program, with a 5% fee. It is available at >

href=”https://thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app10.htmlhttps://thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app10.html”>https://thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app10.html>. H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act,

includes $1.065 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund, extends the Low Income Housing Tax Credit exchange program and New Markets Tax Credit for one year, and

provides settlement funds for the Cobell class action lawsuit regarding American Indians’ trust accounts and the Pigford suit concerning USDA discrimination against

African-American farmers. Its text is posted at >

href=”https://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/111_hr4213_txt.pdfhttps://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/111_hr4213_txt.pdf”>https://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/111_hr4213_txt.pdf>. The current versions of both bills have

not yet been approved by either the House or the Senate.

House panel hears pros and cons on HUD rental changes. Opinions varied at a May 25 House Financial Services Committee hearing on the Preservation,

Enhancement and Transformation of Rental Assistance Act, submitted to Congress by HUD. Written testimony and an archived webcast are posted at >

href=”https://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/financialsvcs_dem/hrfc_051910.shtmlhttps://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/financialsvcs_dem/hrfc_051910.shtml”>https://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/financialsvcs_dem/hrfc_051910.shtml>. HUD’s

proposed bill is at >

href=”https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/fy2011budget/signature_initiatives/transforming_rental_assistance.

Comments”>https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/fy2011budget/signature_initiatives/transforming_rental_assistance”>https://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/fy20 due June 14 on next Farm Bill. The House Agriculture Committee invites comments through a web form at >

11budget/signature_initiatives/transforming_rental_assistance.

Comments

href=”https://agriculture.house.govhttps://agriculture.house.gov”>https://agriculture.house.gov> as it begins to develop the 2012 Farm Bill. The committee is also holding field hearings around

the country; testimony to date, posted at https://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/statements.htmlhttps://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/statements.html”>https://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/statements.html>,

has focused on agriculture issues rather than rural development.

In 2007, 1.05 million nonmetro renters had worst case housing needs. The recession’s full economic impact is not included in a new HUD report to Congress on

renters who pay more than half their income for rent, live in severely substandard housing, or both, and do not receive housing aid. Worst Case Housing Needs 2007:

A Report to Congress is free at >

href=”https://www2.huduser.org/portal/publications/affhsg/wc_HsgNeeds07.html.

Congressional”>https://www2.huduser.org/portal/publications/affhsg/wc_HsgNeeds07.html”>https://www2.huduser.org/portal/publications/affhsg/wc_HsgNeeds07.html.

Caucus on Homelessness launched. Co-founded and co-chaired by Reps. Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Judy Biggert (R-IL), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-

Congressional

TX), and Geoff Davis (R-KY), the caucus hopes to coordinate work on the issue. The members’ press releases can be accessed through >

href=”https://www.house.gov.

National”>https://www.house.gov”>https://www.house.gov.

Housing Trust and Enterprise offer green preservation mini-loans. Nonprofit owners and developers can borrow up to $50,000 for up to 30 months at

National

below-market rates to pay for predevelopment activities in connection with green retrofits of older affordable rental communities. Visit >

href=”https://www.nhtinc.orghttps://www.nhtinc.org”>https://www.nhtinc.org> for a summary. Contact Keiva Dennis, NHT, 202-333-8931 ext. 126, >

href=”kdennis@nhtinc.org.

Section”>mailto:kdennis@nhtinc.org”>kdennis@nhtinc.org

.

533 HPG notice corrected. RD added the Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones set-aside to the NOFA published April 27 and corrected some state office

Section

information. See Federal Register, 5/21/10 or https://www.regulations.govhttps://www.regulations.gov”>https://www.regulations.gov>. Contact Bonnie Edwards-Jackson, 202-690-0759,

bonnie.edwards@wdc.usda.gov.

“Pre-notice”>mailto:bonnie.edwards@wdc.usda.gov”>bonnie.edwards@wdc.usda.gov.

” for Choice Neighborhoods funding issued. The document describes this new HOPE VI replacement program and tells applicants to register for

“Pre-notice

grants.gov. The NOFA will be issued this summer. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/ph/cn/.

USDA”>https://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/ph/cn/”>https://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/ph/cn/.

RD considers changes to Section 502 guarantee program. Comments are due July 19 on a proposed rule that would use Fannie Mae’s interest rate to

USDA

calculate interest on all program loans and would allow USDA to recoup funds it paid on a claim if the lender did not follow program rules. See Federal

Register, 5/19/10, or https://www.regulations.govhttps://www.regulations.gov”>https://www.regulations.gov>. Contact Joaquin Tremols, RD, 202-720-1465, >

href=”joaquin.tremols@wdc.usda.gov.

Census”>mailto:joaquin.tremols@wdc.usda.gov”>joaquin.tremols@wdc.usda.gov

.

requests comments on new poverty measure. The new calculation would supplement, not replace, the official poverty measurement. (See HAC News,

Census

3/5/10.) Deadline is June 25. Visit https://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.htmlhttps://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.html”>https://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.html>. Contact

David Johnson, Census, 301-763-6443, spm@census.gov.

HUD”>mailto:spm@census.gov”>spm@census.gov.

reduces use of Section 8 income limits hold-harmless policy. Income limits for Section 8 tenants will be allowed to decrease if HUD’s formula indicates

HUD

they should. HUD will continue to publish a second set of income limits that apply the hold-harmless provisions, to be used by some HUD programs and by USDA rural

housing programs. Visit https://www2.huduser.org/portal/datasets/il.htmlhttps://www2.huduser.org/portal/datasets/il.html”>https://www2.huduser.org/portal/datasets/il.html>. Contact HUD USER, 800-245-

2691.

Black-white wealth gap quadruples from 1984 to 2007, researchers report. Brandeis University’s Institute on Assets and Social Policy found a large increase

in white households’ real wealth over the time period studied, while African Americans’ wealth rose only slightly. “The Racial Wealth Gap Increases Fourfold” is posted

at https://iasp.brandeis.edu/pdfs/Racial-Wealth-Gap-Brief.pdf.https://iasp.brandeis.edu/pdfs/Racial-Wealth-Gap-Brief.pdf”>https://iasp.brandeis.edu/pdfs/Racial-Wealth-Gap-Brief.pdf.>

HAC News: May 12, 2010

May 12, 2010/in HAC News

Access a pdf version of this HAC News. • Bill to provide 502 guarantee funds introduced in Senate • House passes manufactured housing replacement bill • Administration to hold rural summit on June 3 • Funds available for Section 514/516 farmworker housing • RD offers Section 538 continuous guarantee demo • EPA amends lead paint rule • USDA studies guaranteed and direct lending • Developing in rural towns mitigates transportation cost impacts • Websites warn homeowners about loan scams • Delinquency and foreclosure lower in community land trusts • NLIHC publishes 2010 Advocates’ Guide • USDA RD updates website

May 12, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 10

BILL TO PROVIDE 502 GUARANTEE FUNDS INTRODUCED IN SENATE. On April 27, Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced S. 3266, almost identical to H.R. 5017 (see HAC News, 4/28/10). Like the House-passed bill, S. 3266 authorizes up to $30 billion in Section 502 loan guarantees in FY10. It provides for a guarantee fee of up to 4.05% rather than the House’s 4%. The Senate has not yet acted. Find the bill at https://thomas.loc.gov.

HOUSE PASSES MANUFACTURED HOUSING REPLACEMENT BILL. H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, would authorize funds to help owners replace pre-HUD Code manufactured homes with Energy Star homes. CFED reports that a similar bill, S. 1320, is expected to be considered soon as part of a jobs bill in the Senate. Visit https://www.cfed.org. Both bills are available at https://thomas.loc.gov.

ADMINISTRATION TO HOLD RURAL SUMMIT ON JUNE 3. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack will host “the National Summit of Rural America: A Dialogue for Renewing Promise” in Missouri. Register at https://www.usda.gov/ruralsummit. Breakout session topics include infrastructure and broadband, small business, energy, farm competitiveness, education, nutrition, and recreation.

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SECTION 514/516 FARMWORKER HOUSING. Apply by July 9. See https://www.grants.gov. Contact Henry Searcy, henry.searcy@wdc.usda.gov, 202-720-1753, or an RD state office. This and other current RD housing NOFAs are listed, with links, on HAC’s site at https://ruralhome.org, and the site will be updated as others are released.

RD OFFERS SECTION 538 CONTINUOUS GUARANTEE DEMO. Lenders with Section 538 guaranteed rural rental housing obligations issued between October 1, 2009 and December 17, 2010 can apply for continuous loan note guarantees from construction through permanent financing. The first selections will be made May 20. See Federal Register, 5/10/10 or https://ruralhome.org. Contact Tammy Daniels, RD, tammy.daniels@wdc.usda.gov.

EPA AMENDS LEAD PAINT RULE. Comments are due July 6 on a proposal to address dust-lead hazards by revising the 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program rule that established training and work practice standards for renovators. Separately, a final rule takes effect on July 6 removing a provision that exempted renovation firms from compliance when owner-occupants certified that no children under age 6 or pregnant women lived in the home. Also, renovation firms will be required to give copies of compliance documents to owners and occupants. See Federal Register, 5/6/10 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact EPA staff at TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.

USDA STUDIES GUARANTEED AND DIRECT LENDING. The Economic Research Service considered the impact on distressed rural areas of emphasizing guaranteed loans rather than direct in housing and other RD programs. It found that the housing program least targeted to distressed areas is Section 502 guaranteed, and the most targeted is Rental Assistance. Shifting housing funding from direct to guaranteed loans “would particularly benefit the less poor and less employment-distressed areas, [and] it could reduce funding to some people and places in persistent-poverty and low-employment counties.” Geographic Targeting Issues in the Delivery of Rural Development Assistance is free at https://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB65/ or for a fee from 1-800-999-6779 (request EIB-65).

DEVELOPING IN RURAL TOWNS MITIGATES TRANSPORTATION COST IMPACTS. Based on its Housing + Transportation Affordability Index, the Center for Neighborhood Technology recommends small towns rather than sprawl to increase rural affordability. Its fact sheet is free at www.cnt.org/repository/HT2010-Fact-Sheet-Rural.pdf.

WEBSITES WARN HOMEOWNERS ABOUT LOAN SCAMS. https://www.loanscamalert.org is provided by NeighborWorks America® and partners including the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which has also developed https://www.preventloanscams.org.

DELINQUENCY AND FORECLOSURE LOWER IN COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS. Homeowners in community land trusts have far lower delinquency and foreclosure rates than owners of market-rate homes, according to research by a Vanderbilt University student working with the National Community Land Trust Network and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Visit https://www.lincolninst.edu/news/pressroom.asp.

NLIHC PUBLISHES 2010 ADVOCATES’ GUIDE. The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s annual guide, containing updated chapters on 70 housing and housing-related programs and issues, is free at https://www.nlihc.org/doc/2010-ADVOCATES-GUIDE.pdf. Printed copies are $40 for non-NLIHC members and $25 for members, from NLIHC, 202-662-1530.

USDA RD UPDATES WEBSITE. The site’s navigation has been changed and some pages have been redesigned. Visit https://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

Housing Assistance Council
1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington DC 20005
(202) 842-8600 | hac@ruralhome.org | www.ruralhome.org

HAC News: April 28, 2010

April 28, 2010/in HAC News

Access a pdf version of this HAC News. • House moves to add 502 guarantee funds • Committee approves GREEN Act • Section 533 HPG funds available • Continuum of Care application registration opens • HUD proposes new definition of “homeless • RD addresses self-help appraisals. • Some dates changed for USDA self-help forums • USDA Section 515 buyers and sellers conferences scheduled for May-July • RD provides guidance on new RESPA requirements • Input sought on reform of housing finance system • National Housing Trust Fund campaign collects nationwide support • Affordable housing still out of reach nationwide • 2010 Census participation rates may be lower in rural places • Data show inequalities for Latino children

April 28, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 9

HOUSE MOVES TO ADD 502 GUARANTEE FUNDS. On April 27 the House passed H.R. 5017, the Rural Housing Preservation and Stabilization Act of 2010, authorizing up to $30 billion in Section 502 loan guarantees in FY10. A guarantee fee of up to 4% on each loan would cover the additional cost. The program is expected to run out of money by the end of April. It is not known when the Senate may act. Find H.R. 5017 at https://thomas.loc.gov.

COMMITTEE APPROVES GREEN ACT. Provisions in the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods Act, approved by the House Financial Services Committee on April 22, include energy-efficiency incentives for HUD and USDA housing. Find H.R. 2336 at https://thomas.loc.gov.

SECTION 533 HPG FUNDS AVAILABLE. Nonprofits and public agencies can apply by June 28 for USDA’s Housing Preservation Grants (not related to the Multifamily Revitalization Program or Section 515). See Federal Register, 4/27/10 or https://www.grants.gov. Contact a USDA RD state office for an application and details.

CONTINUUM OF CARE APPLICATION REGISTRATION OPENS. Applicants must register for HUD’s e-snaps system by June 4 in order to apply for FY10 funds. The NOFA will be issued after July 1. Visit www.hudhre.info. Applicants without Internet access can contact HUD’s NOFA Information Center, 800-HUD-8929.

HUD PROPOSES NEW DEFINITION OF “HOMELESS.” Comments are due June 21 on a proposed rule that is HUD’s first step in implementing the 2009 HEARTH Act. See Federal Register, 4/20/10 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Ann Marie Oliva, HUD, 202-708-4300.

RD ADDRESSES SELF-HELP APPRAISALS. Responding to concerns in places with falling land values, a new Administrative Notice says the appraised value of a self-help home must cover the amount of the Section 502 direct loan. When the value of sweat equity does not cover the cost of Section 523 management, the AN says, exceptions may be documented. AN 4507 is available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/an_list.html or from RD offices.

SOME DATES CHANGED FOR USDA SELF-HELP FORUMS. (See HAC News, 2/3/10.) The Washington, DC forum will be held June 30 rather than June 18. Written comments are now due July 15. See Federal Register, 4/19/10 or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/Admin/2010SelfHelpForums.htm. Contact Carolyn Bell, USDA, carolyn.bell@wdc.usda.gov, 202-720-1532.

USDA SECTION 515 BUYERS AND SELLERS CONFERENCES SCHEDULED FOR MAY-JULY. Information about RD’s new “Super Green” goals will be included. Visit https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/mfh/MPR/MPRHome.htm.

RD PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON NEW RESPA REQUIREMENTS. AN 4506 (April 12, 2010), intended to help RD field staff comply with new mortgage disclosure requirements, is available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/an_list.html or from RD offices.

INPUT SOUGHT ON REFORM OF HOUSING FINANCE SYSTEM. HUD and the Treasury Department request comments by July 21 on the federal government’s role, how the current organization of the housing finance system could be improved, and more. See Federal Register, 4/22/10 or www.regulations.gov, or contact a HUD field office.

NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND CAMPAIGN COLLECTS NATIONWIDE SUPPORT. The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that over 1,350 organizations from every state, DC, and Puerto Rico have signed on to a letter urging Congress to provide $1 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund, created in 2008 to finance construction of affordable housing, primarily for extremely low-income tenants. Visit https://www.nhtf.org.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING STILL OUT OF REACH NATIONWIDE. Again this year, there is no county in the United States in which a full-time minimum wage worker can afford even a one-bedroom apartment at HUD’s Fair Market Rent, according to Out of Reach 2010, prepared by the National Low Income Housing Coalition in collaboration with HAC. Data for states, counties, metro areas, and nonmetro areas are at www.nlihc.org/oor2010.

2010 CENSUS PARTICIPATION RATES MAY BE LOWER IN RURAL PLACES. A preliminary HAC analysis of Census participation data indicates slightly lower Census participation rates for rural counties than for the nation as a whole, and rates are even lower in the Border Colonias and Native American Reservations. To find local participation rates on an interactive map, visit https://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/.

DATA SHOW INEQUALITIES FOR LATINO CHILDREN. America’s Future: Latino Child Well-Being in Numbers and Trends uses 25 indicators, including affordable housing, to review current national and state-level trends for Latino children under age 18. Produced by the National Council of La Raza and the Population Reference Bureau, the report and data are available at https://www.nclr.org/section/audience/researchers/latino_child_well_being.

Housing Assistance Council
1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington DC 20005
(202) 842-8600 | hac@ruralhome.org | www.ruralhome.org

HAC News: April 14, 2010

April 14, 2010/in HAC News

Access a pdf version of this HAC News. • April is Fair Housing Month • Funds for Section 515 new construction and Section 521 Rental Assistance offered • Section 542 vouchers available for prepaid Section 515 properties • New Markets Tax Credits available • HUD requests notice from potential Sustainable Communities Grant applicants • HUD Section 8 vouchers offered for non-elderly persons with disabilities • RD addresses environmental justice • RD confirms treatment of Tax Credit Exchange • Online homeowner education approved for RD buyers • NSP definitions changed • New details available on Transforming Rental Assistance initiative • Website lists state and local protections for tenants in foreclosure • SAVE THE DATE FOR HAC’S NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE 2010

April 14, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 8

APRIL IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH. Visit https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing or call HUD’s Housing Discrimination Hotline, 800-669-9777.

FUNDS FOR SECTION 515 NEW CONSTRUCTION AND SECTION 521 RENTAL ASSISTANCE OFFERED. Section 515 has $18.9 million available, and RA has $2.03 million. Deadline is June 14. See Federal Register, 4/14/10 or https://www.grants.gov. Contact an RD State Office, listed at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html.

SECTION 542 VOUCHERS AVAILABLE FOR PREPAID SECTION 515 PROPERTIES. USDA administers these vouchers for low-income tenants in properties where a Section 515 loan was prepaid or foreclosed after September 30, 2005. See Federal Register, 4/14/10. Contact an RD office or Stephanie White, RD, 202-720-1615.

NEW MARKETS TAX CREDITS AVAILABLE. Nonmetro areas will receive at least 20% of the total investments. Apply by April 23 for certification as a Community Development Entity and by June 2 for NMTCs. See Federal Register, 4/8/10 or https://www.cdfifund.gov. Contact CDFI Fund staff, cdfihelp@cdfi.treas.gov or 202-622-6355.

HUD REQUESTS NOTICE FROM POTENTIAL SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES GRANT APPLICANTS. HUD suggests beginning the grants.gov registration process before the NOFA is released, and notifying HUD by May 14 if planning to apply, although notice is not required. (See HAC News, 2/17/10.) Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm. Contact HUD’s NOFA Information Center, 800-HUD-8929.

HUD SECTION 8 VOUCHERS OFFERED FOR NON-ELDERLY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. PHAs currently administering Section 8 vouchers can apply by July 7. Vouchers are designated for non-elderly disabled households on PHA waiting lists or those transitioning from nursing homes and other health care institutions into communities. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Contact HUD’s NOFA Information Center, 800-HUD-8929. Information from the Technical Assistance Collaborative is at https://www.tacinc.org.

RD ADDRESSES ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. Administrative Notice 4501, replacing an expired AN, explains how RD programs will address disproportionately high and adverse health or environmental impacts of its programs on minority and low-income populations and is available at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/an_list.html or from RD offices. Contact an RD State Civil Rights Manager/Coordinator or State Environmental Coordinator.

RD CONFIRMS TREATMENT OF TAX CREDIT EXCHANGE. An Unnumbered Letter dated March 11, 2010 rescinds the UL dated November 20, 2009 and states that Tax Credit Exchange Program funds are equivalent to Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity. (See HAC News, 3/5/10.) The UL is available from RD offices or at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/ul/ulmarch10.pdf.

ONLINE HOMEOWNER EDUCATION APPROVED FOR RD BUYERS. An Unnumbered Letter dated March 24, 2010 says buyers working with local nonprofit counseling organizations may take eHome America’s online course. The cost varies slightly depending on the nonprofit involved. Contact a counseling organization identified at https://www.ehomeamerica.org or Shantelle Gordon, RD, 202-205-9567, shantelle.gordon@wdc.usda.gov.

NSP DEFINITIONS CHANGED. HUD has revised the definitions of “abandoned” and “foreclosed” property to broaden eligibility for both Neighborhood Stabilization Programs. It has also given some states more flexibility in allocating NSP1 funds. The changes do not reopen the application process. See HUD’s new NSP Resource Exchange at https://www.hudnsphelp.info/. Contact Stanley Gimont, HUD, 202-708-3587.

NEW DETAILS AVAILABLE ON TRANSFORMING RENTAL ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE. On March 31 HUD released a discussion draft of its proposed initiative to combine and change its rental assistance programs. Posted at https://www.nlihc.org/doc/TRA-Major-Features.pdf, the draft requests comments. No deadline is provided but the National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that in a March 29 webcast HUD officials said HUD hopes to submit a full, more detailed proposal for legislation to Congress by the end of April.

WEBSITE LISTS STATE AND LOCAL PROTECTIONS FOR TENANTS IN FORECLOSURE. Summaries and links to laws in 22 states, as well as several cities and counties, are posted on the National Housing Law Project’s website, at https://nhlp.org/resourcecenter?tid=130. Information about the federal Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act is available at https://nhlp.org/resourcecenter?tid=68.