Information Products Archives

Rural Voices: Welfare Reform Impacts Rural Housing

April 15, 1997/in Rural Voices

The Spring 1997 issue of Rural Voices provides an overview of the 1996 federal Welfare Reform Act and a summary of ways in which it may affect rural housing conditions.

This issue of Rural Voices focuses on welfare reform, one of the most important public policy issues of the 1990s. We hope to begin a conversation here about how welfare reform is affecting housing for low-income people in rural areas nationwide. This issue provides an overview of the 1996 federal Welfare Reform Act and a summary of ways in which it may affect rural housing conditions; an examination of welfare reform s impact on women-headed households, who as a group are the poorest category of households and the most likely to be affected; a description of some results of changes in Georgias state welfare program; and a look at how immigration reform affects Rural Housing Service programs.

In future issues we expect to include articles about welfare reform in other specific areas of the countty. We welcome contributions from readers about the impact welfare reform is having on rural housing conditions in your areas. The current issue of Rural Voices also recognizes the loss of an eloquent voice for rural housing and community development. George W. Rucker died in May after a long camer in rural research.

Winter 1996/7 issue of Rural Voices Magazine - Cover

Rural Voices: Home Loan Bank Financing for Rural Housing

February 1, 1997/in Rural Voices

The Winter 1996-97 issue of Rural Voices highlights two important topics: how the Federal Home Loan Bank System can help in the development of affordable rural housing, and local and national efforts to address housing needs in Indian Country.

Our cover stoty explains the basics of the FHLBanks’ Affordable Housing Program and Community Investment Program, with examples of how both have been used in rural areas. Both can provide long-tmm financing for housing development at below-market rates. An interview with Bruce Morrison examines the AHP and CIP from a slightly different angle. Morrison, the Chairman of the Federal Housing Finance Board, which oversees the FHLBank System, discusses his perspective on the future of the System and of the banking industry overall.

Native American housing issues are addressed in two pieces as well. First, the director of the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority in Alaska describes how her agency modified an existing housing program to better meet the needs of Native Alaskans. Changes expected nationwide as a result of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Detetmination Act of I996 are summarized in our “View from Washington” department.

This issue also explores a successful housing development effort in a small town in Iowa. In addition, we have included a summmy of HAC’s National Rural Housing Conforence, held in December 1996, and providing, among many other things, an opportunity to celebrate HAC’s 25th anniversary.

Housing Counseling in Rural America

January 1, 1997/in

Housing Counseling in Rural America
Print copy: $7.00
Examines differences between rural and urban housing counseling needs, describes some of the counseling programs presently used in rural areas, and discusses possible ways of measuring counseling’s effectiveness.
1997, 114 pages, ISBN 1-58064-003-6

Housing for Families and Unaccompanied Migrant Farmworkers

January 1, 1997/in

Housing for Families and Unaccompanied Migrant Farmworkers
Print copy: $4.00
Through case studies, examines the need for and availability of housing suitable for migrant farmworkers traveling with families or unaccompanied.
1997, 56 pages, ISBN 1-58064-005-2

Rural Housing and Welfare Reform: HAC's 1997 Report on the State of the Nation's Rural Housing

January 1, 1997/in

Rural Housing and Welfare Reform: HAC’s 1997 Report on the State of the Nation’s Rural Housing
Cost for print copy: $6.00
Analyzes data on income, demographics, and housing conditions for all rural residents and for those receiving welfare before welfare reform took effect.
1997, 72 pages, ISBN 1-58064-060-5

Self-Help Housing Development Process in Rural Areas

January 1, 1997/in

Self-Help Housing Development Process in Rural Areas
Print copy: $3.00
Describes the mutual self-help process from start to finish. Best practices illustrate land acquisition issues, management of self-help building groups and ways to secure affordable permanent financing.
1997, 54 pages, ISBN 1-58064-026-5

Rural Voices: New Infrastructure Funds for Rural Housing Developers

September 15, 1996/in Rural Voices

Developing land for affordable housing is not easy. Rising land and infrastructure costs make it difficult for developers to create homeownership opportunities for families. Now, in a time of dwindling resources, a new program has been created to purchase and develop sites for self-help housing developers and the families they serve. The Self- Help Homeowners hip Opportunity Program, created by the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996, opens the door to more funds for site development.

Case Studies on Lending in Indian Country

July 31, 1996/in

Describes some partnerships between tribes and lenders to produce privately funded housing on trust lands.
1996, 19 pages, ISBN 1-58064-017-6

Case Studies on Lending in Indian Country (PDF)

Rural Voices: Self-Help Housing

July 15, 1996/in Rural Voices

In the Summer 1996 issue of Rural Voices, Maureen Kennedy, Administrator of the Rural Housing Service, spotlights RHS’s efforts to increase homeownership through their housing programs, and examines the partnerships organizations have farmed to improve homeownership rates.

Rural Voices: Robie’s House

March 15, 1996/in Rural Voices

In the title article, “Robie’s House,” the Spring 1996 issue of Rural Voices describes one approach to building homes affordably. In addition this issue celebrates the accomplishments of rural programs in both Texas and Vermont. We also highlight the efforts of our rural housing workshop partnet; the Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP), to empower communities and improve infrasftructure. Finally, we have some words to say about the new rules goveming the Community Reinvestment Act and some of the changes affecting the Rural Housing Service’s Section 502 Homeownership program.

Rural Voices: Welfare Reform Impacts Rural Housing

Rural Voices: Home Loan Bank Financing for Rural Housing

Housing Counseling in Rural America

Housing for Families and Unaccompanied Migrant Farmworkers

Rural Housing and Welfare Reform: HAC's 1997 Report on the State of the Nation's Rural Housing

Self-Help Housing Development Process in Rural Areas

Rural Voices: New Infrastructure Funds for Rural Housing Developers

Case Studies on Lending in Indian Country

Rural Voices: Self-Help Housing

Rural Voices: Robie’s House

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