HAC News: July 18, 2024

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TOP STORIES

House and Senate committees disagree on rural housing funding

Cuts made this year in funding levels for USDA’s Section 502 direct and 523 self-help housing programs would not be fully restored by the bills for next year that have passed the Appropriations Committees in both the House and the Senate. While the Senate’s FY25 bill would hold many of the rural housing programs at their current funding levels, it would set Section 502 direct at $1 billion – higher than the House’s $950 million or the FY24 level of $880 million, but still substantially below the $1.25 million appropriated for FY23. The Section 523 self-help program, which received $32 million in FY23 and $25 million this year, would get $25 million next year under the Senate’s bill and $20 million under the House’s.

The House and Senate both rejected the administration budget’s request to increase funding for the Section 515 and Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization programs. The Senate bill proposes to expand the current decoupling pilot, which allows Section 515 properties to continue receiving Section 521 Rental Assistance after the Section 515 mortgage is paid off. The Senate would allow 5,000 units of decoupled RA rather than the current 1,000.

Details are available on HAC’s website. The next steps will be floor votes in both houses. Final passage of FY25 appropriations is not expected until after the November election, although the new fiscal year begins on October 1.

House committee approves big cut in HOME funding

On July 10 the full House Appropriations Committee approved its FY25 HUD funding bill, which includes a 60% cut in funding for the HOME program. The bill would also block implementation of the Biden administration’s proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule and the recent energy efficiency determination made by HUD and USDA. Details are available on HAC’s website. The Senate has not yet released or scheduled consideration of its HUD bill.

New administration proposal on housing cost and availability

President Biden issued a statement on July 16 asking Congress to pass legislation that would eliminate a tax break for corporate landlords if they raise rent more than 5% per year. The rent cap would apply to landlords owning over 50 units and would last for two years, intended to provide enough time for construction of new units. In addition, several federal agencies are planning or investigating possibilities for creating housing on land they own, and the administration called for state and local governments, as well as other entities, to develop affordable housing on their land.

RuralSTAT

In 2023 the number of new mortgages for rural home purchases declined by 21% from the previous year’s level. In total, there were a reported 559,244 home purchase mortgages, 164,460 mortgage refinancings, and 36,385 home improvement loans made to rural consumers in 2023. Source: Housing Assistance Council tabulations of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s FFIEC Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data.

OPPORTUNITIES

Initiative supports reentry into stable housing

The Council of State Governments and the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance launched the Zero Returns to Homelessness initiative to support reentry into stable housing for justice involved residents. The Zero Returns to Homelessness Cohort will provide state teams with two years of free and extensive technical assistance support intended to generate a concrete expansion in the amount of housing available to people in reentry. Applications are due August 12. Local, regional, and Tribal teams are eligible for a three-session monthly virtual Reducing Housing Barriers to Jail Diversion community of practice. Applications are due July 22. The initiative’s website also offers other resources including a technical assistance guide.

Housing Trust Fund allocations set

HUD has allocated $214 million in FY24 monies from the Housing Trust Fund to states and territories. The total amount, which is based on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac business in the previous year, is slightly more than the $196 million announced by the Federal Housing Finance Agency in February, but far less than the $354 million available in FY23 and $740 million in FY22.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

FEMA rule to increase resilience against flooding

As repeated flooding occurs more often, the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) and a new FEMA regulation to implement it are intended to increase resilience. The standard requires stricter standards for including resilience measures when FEMA funds new construction, substantial improvement, or repairs to substantial damage for structures and facilities, including housing. FEMA will pay for the applicable federal cost share to implement the standard. FFRMS also applies to Hazard Mitigation Assistance projects involving structure elevation, dry floodproofing, and mitigation reconstruction.

FEMA requests input on flood insurance Community Rating System

FEMA seeks public comments as it redesigns the Community Rating System under the National Flood Insurance Program. The system and options under consideration are explained in a Federal Register notice and will be covered at virtual public meetings on August 21, 22, and 27. Comments are due September 9.

Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing grants explained, comments sought

Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) grants, a form of relief under the Emergency Solutions Grants program, will be allocated to state or local governments in areas that are identified as eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance when a major disaster is declared. The funds will be used to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in declared disaster areas who have needs not otherwise served or fully met by existing federal disaster relief programs. HUD requests comments by September 16.

HUD extends Buy America waiver for Tribal funding recipients

Build America, Buy America requirements are waived through September 30 for Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities, and other Tribal entities that receive HUD funding.

USDA guarantee fees set for some programs

USDA Rural Development announced guarantee fees that will apply during FY25 to the Community Facilities, Water and Waste Disposal, Business and Industry, and Rural Energy for America loan guarantee programs.

HUD moves compliance date for new inspection standards

HUD has extended the compliance date until October 1, 2025 for the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) final rule for the Housing Choice Voucher, Project Based Voucher, and Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation programs, and for the HOME program, Housing Trust Fund, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, Emergency Solution Grants and Continuum of Care programs.

USDA posts income limits

The 2024 income limits are posted online for USDA’s Section 502 direct and guaranteed mortgage programs and the Section 515, 514/516, and 538 multifamily housing programs.

Protections added for tenants in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac properties

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced new actions to protect renters in multifamily properties financed by loans acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including requiring 30-day notices before rent increases and 30-day notices on lease expirations, as well as a five-day grace period before imposing late fees on rental payments. The requirements will take effect for new loans signed after February 28, 2025.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Fair housing complaints hit record high

The number of fair housing complaints filed nationwide peaked to record numbers for the third year in a row, according to the National Fair Housing Alliance’s 2024 Fair Housing Trends Report. There were 34,150 fair housing complaints received in 2023, compared to 33,007 complaints received in 2022. Discrimination based on disability accounted for the majority (52.61%) of complaints, but there was a noticeably steep increase in the number of harassment complaints, particularly harassment based on color or race. For the first time, NFHA included questions around algorithmic bias and found the level of awareness of the risks and benefits of automated systems in housing ranged from very aware to very little awareness.

Pre-disaster housing planning report issued by FEMA and HUD

The Pre-Disaster Housing Planning Initiative Report was developed through a partnership among FEMA, HUD, and states. It intends to promote collaborative approaches, to bolster state planning for housing recovery before disasters occur, and to build local capacity. In addition to the report, the initiative prepared a Pre-Disaster Housing Planning Checklist and Guide, as well as a Federal Housing and Sheltering Resource Timeline and Compendium.

HAC

HAC is hiring

HAC job listings, each with application instructions, are available on our website.

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including Tribes).

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Senate Bill Holds Line on Most USDA Housing Programs, But Unable to Restore Cuts to Section 502 and Self-Help

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On July 11, 2024, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2025 funding bill that would keep many of USDA’s rural housing programs at their current funding levels. Where the bill does not adopt current levels, it largely follows the administration’s budget request. Section 502 direct loans are a notable exception: the Senate would raise this homeownership program to $1 billion from its FY24 level of $880 million, but even with the increase the program would remain substantially below its FY23 level of $1.25 billion. The administration’s budget request asked for a return to $1.25 billion. Self-help technical assistance is another exception, with a proposed level of $25 million rather than the $32 million that was appropriated in FY23 and requested in the budget.

— HAC’s analysis of FY25 appropriations for HUD programs is available here.  —

Details on the Senate and House bills are provided in the table below.

The Senate bill would expand the current decoupling pilot, which allows Section 515 properties to continue receiving Section 521 Rental Assistance after the Section 515 mortgage is paid off. The Senate proposes to allow 5,000 units of decoupled RA rather than the current 1,000. The House bill would also continue the pilot, but would keep it at 1,000 units.

The funding levels proposed for two capacity-building programs, the Rural Community Development Initiative and rental preservation TA, are stated differently in the Senate bill and in the report that accompanies it. The table below shows the figures from the bill itself. For RCDI, the bill text shows a $5 million funding level, but the report shows only $1 million. For rental preservation, the bill provides $2 million but the report says $1 million.

While the House bill includes a provision blocking implementation of new energy efficiency standards for some USDA-financed homes, the Senate bill does not.

 

Program
($ in millions)		 FY23 Final FY24 Final FY25 Budget FY25 House,

H.R. 9027

 FY25 Senate,

S. 4690

 FY25 Final(a)
502 SF Direct Loans $1,250 $880 $1,250 $950 $1,000
     Nat. Amer. SF Demo 7.5 5 7.5 5 7.5
502 SF Guar. Loans 30,000 25,000 30,000 25,000 25,000
504 VLI Repair Loans 28 25 28 18 25
504 VLI Repair Grants 32 25 30 12 30
515 MF Direct Loans 70 60 70 48 65
514 Farm Labor Hsg. Loans 20 15 25 12.5 25
516 Farm Labor Hsg. Grants 10 7.5 10 0 7.5
521 Rental Asst. 1,488 1,608 1,690 1,684 1,691
523 Self-Help TA 32 25 32 20 25
533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants 16 10 16 8 10
538 MF Guar. Loans 400 400 400 400 400
542 Vouchers 48 48 38(b) 54 50.4
Rental Prsrv. Demo (MPR) 36 34 90 28 36
Rental Prsrv. TA 2 1 0 0 2(d)
Rural Cmty. Dev’t Init. 6 5 6 4 5(e)
Cmty. Facil. Direct Loans 2,800 2,800 1,250 1,000 $1,250
Cmty. Facil. Grants 25 5 22 (c) 5
   Tribal Colleges CF Grants 10 8 10 6 8
   Energy Cmties. Grants – – 10 – –
Cmty. Facil. Guar. 650 650 650 650 650

Abbreviations key

  • MF: Multfamily (Rental)
  • SF: Single-Family (Homeownership)
  • TA: Technical Assistance
  • VLI: Very Low-Income

(a) This column will be filled in as the FY25 funding process progresses.

(b) This $38 million is to renew vouchers already issued. Most tenants in USDA-financed rental properties where mortgages end or are paid off would receive Section 521 Rental Assistance under the Administration’s decoupling proposal. An additional $20 million is included in the HUD tenant protection vouchers account to provide new vouchers for tenants “in USDA properties that are unable to refinance, participate in the multi-family preservation and rehabilitation options, or decouple.”

(c) The amount proposed for non-earmarked Community Facilities grants in the House bill remains unclear after release of the committee’s report. It shows a grant level of $472 million, which includes Congressionally Directed Spending (earmarks).

(d) The Senate bill’s text shows $2 million for rental preservation TA, but the report accompanying the bill shows $1 million.

(e) The Senate bill’s text shows $5 million for RCDI, but the report accompanying the bill shows $1 million.

House Bill Proposes Cuts to Smaller Rural Housing Programs

UPDATE July 11, 2024 – On July 10 the full House Appropriations Committee approved its Agriculture appropriations bill for FY25. The full Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a bill as well, but has not yet released the full text. The Senate committee’s summary of its bill provides numbers for two of the rural housing programs: it says the bill includes $1 billion for Section 502 direct and $1.691 billion for Section 521 Rental Assistance.

On July 10, 2024, the full House Appropriations Committee is marking up appropriations bills for USDA, Transportation-HUD, and Labor. The committee has released its reports on these bills, which provide additional details that were not available at the subcommittee level.

The committee’s report on the USDA funding bill makes clear that, while the committee supports the larger rural housing programs such as Section 502 direct and guaranteed homeownership loans, Section 521 Rental Assistance, and tenant vouchers, it proposes cuts in the smaller programs, all of which are important to lower income rural residents.

In addition to the cuts in self-help, home repair, and rental housing noted below, the bill proposes no funding for Section 516 farm labor housing grants, which received $7.5 million this year. It would reduce Section 514 farm labor loans from $15 million in FY24 to $12.5 million in FY25. Section 514 loans were at $20 million in FY23.

The report also makes clear the scope of the proposed reductions in the Section 504 repair grants program, from $25 million in FY24 to $12 million in FY25, and the Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants program, from $10 million this year to $8 million next year. The FY24 levels for both of those programs were lower than their FY23 appropriations.

House Bill Proposes Rural Housing Cuts, Though Not for Purchase Mortgages or Rental Vouchers

June 11, 2024 — The House Appropriations Subcommittee released its fiscal year 2025 funding proposal for USDA on June 10, 2024, and will hold a markup at 6:00 pm Eastern time on June 11. As expected, the bill would fund most USDA housing programs at levels lower than those enacted for FY24 or proposed in the administration’s FY25 budget.

The House measure would increase Section 502 direct loans to $950 million, higher than the $880 million level for FY24 but not at the $1.25 billion provided in FY23 or requested in the FY25 budget. It would keep the Section 502 guaranteed loan program at $25 billion and Section 538 guaranteed multifamily loans at $400 million.

The bill appears to provide no funding at all for Section 516 farmworker housing grants, which are used by nonprofit developers alongside Section 514 loans.

Homeownership Housing

Despite its support for home purchase programs, the House bill would reduce funding for self-help housing, Section 504 home repair loans and grants, and Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants.

Rental Housing

The bill proposes cuts in rental preservation programs, reducing Section 515 loans from $60 million in FY24 to $48 million and the Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization (MPR) program from its current $34 million to $28 million. It shows some support for tenants, however, with Section 521 Rental Assistance funding almost at the level requested by the administration’s budget, an increase in Section 542 vouchers, and continuation of the 1,000-unit demonstration program that decouples Rental Assistance from USDA mortgages reaching the end of their terms.

Energy Efficiency

The House bill would prohibit use of any USDA housing funds to implement a recent determination made jointly by HUD and USDA that would require some federally supported new housing construction, including single-family homes supported by USDA’s Section 502 direct, Section 502 guaranteed, or Section 523 self-help programs, to meet updated energy efficiency standards. The ban, tucked into Section 743 in the bill’s “general provisions,” is reminiscent of an amendment defeated in the Senate in October 2023. That proposed amendment would have prevented HUD implementation of the same energy efficiency standards.

Community Facilities

The bill would cut funding for Community Facilities direct loans by two-thirds, from $2.8 billion in FY24 to $1 billion in FY25.

Administration Proposes Small Increases in Many Rural Housing Programs

The Biden Administration’s budget for fiscal year 2025, released on March 11, 2024, would hold funding at FY23 levels for most of USDA’s rural housing programs. In effect, it would restore the cuts made in the final FY24 appropriations bill, which was passed after the budget was prepared. Details are provided in the table below.

The recording and slides from HAC’s March 13 webinar on Rural Housing in the Fiscal Year 2025 White House Budget are posted here.

Homeownership Housing7

Like last year’s budget proposal, this year’s would eliminate subsidy “recapture” for the Section 502 direct program. Recapture requires that, when a low- or very low-income homeowner with a Section 502 direct loan sells the house or moves, they must repay the subsidy amounts they have received over the life of the loan. The administration estimates that eliminating this penalty for current borrowers would cost USDA $1.12 billion. It also proposes that Section 502 direct loans made in 2025 will not to be subject to recapture.

The budget would require that funding for housing construction or rehabilitation be targeted to projects that improve energy or water efficiency, implement green features, including clean energy generation or building electrification, electric car charging station installations, or address climate resilience of properties.

The budget also proposes three changes that were just adopted in the final FY24 funding bill, which had not been passed yet when the budget was prepared. These include extending the length of self-help and site-development loans from two years to five, and standardizing foreclosure procedures consistent with HUD’s.

Rental Housing

The administration again asks for legislative language to “decouple” Section 521 Rental Assistance from Section 515 and 514 mortgages, so that when a USDA rental housing mortgage ends for any reason, the tenants can continue to receive Rental Assistance. The final FY24 bill authorized a limited pilot to decouple up to 1,000 units of RA, but the budget does not propose any limits.

The budget requests Section 542 voucher funding be used only to renew “legacy vouchers,” $11.79 million in unobligated voucher funds be rescinded, and $20 million be added to provide HUD tenant protection vouchers for tenants “in USDA properties that are unable to refinance, participate in the multi-family preservation and rehabilitation options, or decouple.”

 

House Committee Approves 60% Cut in HOME Program Funding

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UPDATE July 11, 2024 – The full House Appropriations Committee approved the proposed FY25 Transportation-HUD spending bill on July 10. The Senate Appropriations Committee has begun releasing summaries of its FY25 bills, but T-HUD is not yet available.

 

June 27, 2024 – The HOME program would be dramatically smaller under the FY25 spending bill approved by an appropriations subcommittee on June 26, 2024. The bill, which will be considered by the full Appropriations Committee on July 10, would also block implementation of the Biden administration’s proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule and the recent energy efficiency determination made by HUD and USDA.

Details are provided in the table below.

— HAC’s analysis of FY24 appropriations for USDA housing programs is available here. —

The summary of the House bill provided by the Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee says that it funds “full renewal for all currently-leased, tenant-based rental assistance vouchers, all project-based rental assistance contracts, and all housing for the elderly and persons with disabilities contracts.” It would cut HOME, however, to $500 million from $1.25 billion in FY24. The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) would be cut from $12 million in FY24 to $9 million next year. And the Choice Neighborhoods program would receive no funding at all.

The Senate has not yet released its version of the bill.

Program
($ in millions)		 FY23 Final FY24 Final FY25 Budget FY25 House FY25 Senate* FY25 Final*
CDBG $3,300 $3,300 $2,900 $3,300
HOME 1,500 1,250 1,250 500
PRICE Manuf. Hsg. 225 10 0 10
Self-Help Hmownrshp (SHOP) 13.5 12 9 9
Veterans Home Rehab 1 0 0 0
Rural Cap’y Bldg (RCB) 6 6 5 5
Tenant-Based Rental Asst. 27,600 32,387 32,756 32,272
     VASH 50 15 0 0
     Tribal VASH 7.5 7.5 5 8
     Replacemts for 521 RA – – 20** –
Project-Based Rental Asst. 13,938 16,010 16,686 16,195
Public Hsg. Capital Fund 3,200 3,410 3,312 3,047
Public Hsg. Operating Fund 5,109 5,501 5,238 5,097
Choice Neighborhd. Initiative 350 75 140 0
Native Amer. Hsg. 1,020 1,344 1,053 1,455
Homeless Asst. Grants 3,633 4,051 4,060 4,060
Hsg. Oppties for Persons w/ AIDS (HOPWA) 499 505 505 505
202 Hsg. for Elderly 1,075 913 931.4 931.4
811 Hsg. for Disabled 360 208 256.7 256.7
Fair Hsg. 86 86.4 86.4 85
Healthy Homes & Lead Control 410 345 350 335
Hsg. Counseling 57.5 57.5 57.5 57.5

* These columns will be filled in as the FY25 funding process progresses.

** Up to $20 million would be set aside to provide tenant protection vouchers to tenants who had USDA Section 521 Rental Assistance but are losing it because their building is losing or ending its USDA mortgage.

Administration’s Budget Requests Substantial New HUD Funding

March 12, 2024 – The Biden Administration’s budget for fiscal year 2025, released on March 11, 2024, includes proposals for HUD and other housing programs – USDA, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and others – that are part of broader Administration efforts to help meet increasing housing costs and address homelessness. If the budget were adopted as proposed, several pieces of this mosaic would be mandatory funding rather than discretionary, and others would be tax credits. Discretionary funds are subject to annual appropriations, while mandatory spending is not, so it is not subject to the caps on discretionary spending imposed by the 2023 debt limit agreement.

The recording and slides from HAC’s March 13 webinar on Rural Housing in the Fiscal Year 2025 White House Budget are posted here.

Discretionary Funds

The budget would reduce funding for many of HUD’s housing production programs, including HOME, CDBG, SHOP, and Native American housing. It requests a total of $1.053 billion for Native American housing, just barely above the $1.02 billion provided in FY23 and notably lower than the $1.34 billion just adopted for FY24.

Tenant support fares somewhat better. For example, the budget proposes a total of almost $32.8 billion for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (Housing Choice Vouchers), of which $29.25 billion is intended to renew all existing vouchers. An additional $241 million would provide 20,000 new incremental vouchers. (Separately, the mandatory funding proposals would guarantee vouchers to all extremely low-income veterans and all youth aging out of foster care.)

The budget also requests $30 million for the Recovery Housing Program, which allocates funds to states to provide temporary housing for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, including opioids.

Proposed New Mandatory Spending

The Administration’s proposals for mandatory spending programs cover production of new units, tenant assistance, and homelessness solutions.

  • Extremely low-income housing supply subsidy: $15 billion
    • New Project-Based Rental Assistance: $7.5 billion
    • Preserve distressed public housing: $7.5 billion
  • Innovation Fund for Housing Expansion: $20 billion
  • Housing vouchers for vulnerable low-income populations: $22 billion
    • all youth aging out of foster care: $9 billion
    • extremely low-income veterans: $13 billion
  • First-generation homebuyer down payment assistance: $10 billion
  • Sustainable eviction prevention reform: $3 billion
  • Homelessness grants: $8 billion
  • Emergency rental assistance for older adults at risk of homelessness: $3 billion

Tax Credit Proposals

  • The budget would expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to build or preserve 1.2 million more affordable rental units. It asks Congress to increase per capital credit allocations, reduce the bond financing threshold, and revise the “qualified contract” and “right of first refusal” provisions for future developments.
  • A mortgage relief credit would provide middle-class first-time homebuyers with an annual tax credit of $5,000 a year for two years. The White House says that “this is the equivalent of reducing the mortgage rate by more than 1.5 percentage points for two years on the median home, and will help more than 3.5 million middle-class families purchase their first home over the next two years.”
  • A separate one-year tax credit is intended to assist homeowners who could purchase a larger or more expensive home but hesitate to sell their starter home because of high mortgage rates or high housing costs. A middle-class homeowner would receive a credit up to $10,000 for selling a home below the area median home price in the county to another owner-occupant. The White House estimates this proposal would help nearly 3 million families.
  • A new Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit would allocate credits to developers and other sponsors of new construction or substantial rehabilitation of homeownership units in distressed areas. The White House estimates this would generate over 400,000 homes.

The Administration also proposes requiring each Federal Home Loan Bank to contribute 20 percent, rather than the current 10 percent, of annual income to the Affordable Housing Program. It calculates the change would raise an additional $3.79 billion for affordable housing over the next decade and assist nearly 380,0000 households.

HAC News: July 3, 2024

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TOP STORIES

House proposes 60% cut in HOME funding

The FY25 Transportation-HUD spending bill approved by a House appropriations subcommittee on June 26 would shrink the HOME program to $500 million from $1.25 billion in FY24. The bill, which will be considered by the full Appropriations Committee on July 10, would cut the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) program from $12 million in FY24 to $9 million next year. It would also block implementation of the Biden administration’s proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule and the recent energy efficiency determination made by HUD and USDA. Details are posted on HAC’s website. The Senate has not yet released its version of the bill.

Criminalization of homelessness is not cruel and unusual punishment, Supreme Court rules

People experiencing homelessness can be subjected to fines and jail time for sleeping in public, the Supreme Court ruled on June 28 in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson. In response to the decision, HAC issued a statement pointing out that the solution to homelessness is available, affordable housing and calling on local officials to reject the idea that homelessness is a crime.

Supreme Court strengthens courts’ role in agency rulemaking

The Supreme Court has overruled a longstanding doctrine under which courts deferred to executive agencies’ interpretations when they make regulations to carry out laws. The decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, issued on June 28, held that courts must “exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency has acted within its statutory authority, and courts may not defer to an agency interpretation of the law simply because a statute is ambiguous.” On July 1, a separate decision in Corner Post v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System greatly extended the time span within which agency regulations can be challenged in court.

Tenants bill of rights launched

The National Tenants Bill of Rights offered by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the National Housing Law Project, and the Tenant Union Federation is intended to provide a practical policy agenda that affirms the federal government’s duty to provide all tenants with fundamental protections. It calls for tenants to have rights to a fair application, a fair lease, freedom from discrimination and harassment, a habitable home, and reasonable rent and costs, the right to organize, and the right to safeguards against evictions. The sponsoring organizations invite others to endorse it.

RuralSTAT

The states with the highest “housing wage” (the hourly income needed to afford a rental home at HUD’s fair market rent) in places outside metropolitan areas are Massachusetts, Hawaii, Alaska, Connecticut, Colorado, New Hampshire, California, Nevada, Vermont, and Washington. Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition, Out of Reach 2024: The High Cost of Housing.

OPPORTUNITIES

Owners of assisted multifamily properties eligible for solar and wind tax credits

Multifamily housing assisted by many (though not all) programs of HUD, USDA, and other agencies, as well as by the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, is eligible for the Department of Energy’s Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit, which promotes cost-saving solar or wind investments in low-income communities, on Indian land, as part of affordable housing developments, and benefiting low-income households. The credit is available as a payment even if the property owner does not have tax liability to offset. The initial application deadline has passed, but DOE is still considering applications on a rolling basis. HUD states that combined tax credits can potentially fund as much as 70% of the costs of a solar facility for assisted housing. HUD has posted the first two of a series of recordings to help rental property owners apply and DOE has posted webinar recordings and other resources.

USDA opens Native CDFI relending program

USDA’s Native Community Development Financial Institution Relending Demonstration Program will make loans to Native CDFIs that will relend the funds to low- and very low-income recipients to acquire, build, rehabilitate, improve, or relocate modest single-family homes on Tribal land in rural areas. The deadline is August 9.

HUD offers lead and healthy homes funding

The Lead and Healthy Homes Technical Studies Grant Program funds studies to improve knowledge of housing-related health and safety hazards and to improve or develop new assessment and control methods. A wide variety of types of entities are eligible. The application deadline is August 6.

The Healthy Homes and Weatherization Cooperation Demonstration is intended to determine whether coordination between HUD’s Healthy Homes Production program and the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program achieves cost-effectiveness and better outcomes. Current holders of active DOE WAP grants or subgrants or HUD HHP grants are eligible. The deadline is August 13.

The Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program assists localities in undertaking comprehensive lead-based paint hazard reduction programs. Local governments and some state and Tribal governments are eligible. The deadline is August 19.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

Revised regulations proposed for Capital Magnet Fund

The CDFI Fund’s Capital Magnet Fund makes grants to CDFIs and nonprofits to attract private financing for and increase investment in affordable housing and economic development. A new interim rule is intended to streamline and update terms, concepts, and provisions; to better align the CMF with other federal housing assistance programs; and to better reflect current business practices in the affordable housing industry. The rule is effective immediately. Comments are due August 26.

Administration announces new CDFI Fund program

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced a new three-year, $100 million CDFI Fund program but details are not yet available. A June 24 press release explains that the program will be funded by repayments of Emergency Capital Investment Program investments and will be “primarily focused on increasing the supply of affordable housing.”

USDA continues waiver for Section 504 repair pilot

USDA is extending a waiver of two regulatory requirements for the Section 504 Direct Single Family Housing Loans and Grants pilot program, which is taking place in 23 states. First, the agency continues to waive the requirement that the site not be large enough to subdivide under local zoning ordinances. Second, applicants under the pilot are not required to obtain an appraisal if the Section 504 loan is over $15,000, though appraisals will still be required in some circumstances. Both waivers are in effect through June 24, 2026. Other waivers that were tested when the pilot program began in 2019 have already been adopted in regulations, and the agency anticipates doing the same with these two.

HUD extends NSPIRE inspection rule compliance date again

October 1, 2025 is now the compliance date for the Housing Choice Voucher, Project Based Voucher, Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation, HOME, Housing Trust Fund, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, Emergency Solution Grants, and Continuum of Care programs to implement the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) final rule. The date for these programs was previously October 1, 2024.

New rule aims to protect workers from extreme heat

A proposed regulation from the Department of Labor would require employers to protect those who work both indoors and outdoors, including farmworkers, from extreme heat. Employers would have to develop plans and provide drinking water, rest breaks, and shade. A comment deadline will be set when the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register.

FEMA proposes updates to programs that assist governments

FEMA proposes to amend the regulations for its Public Assistance and Community Disaster Loan programs both to improve program administration and to incorporate statutory changes. The Public Assistance program assists state, Tribal, territorial, and local governments after major disasters. Community Disaster Loans are available for local or Tribal governments that suffer substantial revenue losses because of major disasters. Comments are due September 3.

Public participation in rulemaking will be listening sessions’ topic

The Office of Management and Budget will hold virtual listening sessions on July 10 and 17 for public input on experiences engaging with federal agency rulemaking processes. To register for a session, email publicparticipation@omb.eop.gov. Written comments are due July 17.

EVENTS

Rural Clean Energy Federal Funding Fair announced

USDA Rural Development will hold two webinars on July 11 to provide information about Department of Energy clean energy programs and USDA RD’s Energy for America Program (REAP) and electric programs.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Rents remain out of reach, annual study says

The National Low Income Housing Coalition finds, as it has for many years, that there is no state, metropolitan area, or county in the U.S. where a fulltime worker earning minimum wage can afford a modest two-bedroom rental home at HUD’s fair market rent. In fact, according to Out of Reach 2024: The High Cost of Housing, this year there are only 204 counties nationwide, not including Puerto Rico, where a fulltime minimum-wage worker can afford a one-bedroom rent at fair market rent. People of color are disproportionately impacted. The report provides data for every state, county, and metropolitan area, as well as for the portion of each state outside metropolitan areas.

Podcasts focus on rural development

The Aspen Institute’s Community Strategies Group shared a blog listing 10 podcasts that focus on rural community and economic development. These podcasts amplify rural voices and bring in rural experts who talk about the successes, challenges, and opportunities in rural America. CSG asks people to contact them with suggestions for additions to the list.

HAC

HAC is hiring

HAC job listings, each with application instructions, are available on our website.

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including Tribes).

Want to reprint a HAC News item?

Please credit the HAC News and provide a link to HAC’s website. Thank you!

Homelessness is a Housing Issue, Not a Crime

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Housing Assistance Council CEO’s Statement on Supreme Court’s Ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson

July 2, 2024 – The Supreme Court ruled last week that people experiencing homelessness can be punished by their local government simply because there is not enough housing or shelter available for everyone to have a place to sleep at night. The Court had an opportunity to help address the nation’s housing crisis, but instead came out in favor of persecuting the poor with fines and jail sentences.

Homelessness is solved by providing housing that is available and affordable for everyone in a community. The Court’s decision overlooks the lack of affordable housing that drives homelessness in rural areas like Grants Pass, Oregon, and elsewhere across the United States. It ignores extensive evidence that demonstrates housing with social services is the effective way to address homelessness. It disregards how unusually hard it is to get a job or an education when experiencing homelessness, and how cruel it is to add a criminal record to the mix.

The Housing Assistance Council calls on local officials to reject the idea that homelessness is a crime. If your small town is facing a housing shortage, please contact us. We will do everything in our power to help you address the conditions that lead to homelessness in rural America and to improve U.S. national housing policy.

David Lipsetz
President and CEO
Housing Assistance Council

HAC News: June 20, 2024

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TOP STORIES

House bill proposes rural housing cuts

On June 11 the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee approved a bill to fund USDA and related agencies in fiscal year 2025. It would set most USDA housing programs at levels lower than those enacted for FY24 or proposed in the administration’s FY25 budget. It would increase Section 502 direct loan funding slightly above the FY24 level, but would cut self-help housing and the Section 504 and 533 home repair programs. It would reduce funds for rental preservation programs and would zero out Section 516 farmworker housing grants, while continuing the 1,000-unit demonstration program that decouples Rental Assistance from USDA mortgages reaching the end of their terms. It would also block the recent determination made jointly by HUD and USDA that would require some federally supported new housing construction to meet updated energy efficiency standards. HAC’s summary of the bill is posted here.

The House’s Transportation-HUD bill will probably be released shortly before that subcommittee’s markup on June 27. The full committee will consider both the USDA and HUD bills on July 10. The Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet released bills or scheduled actions.

High housing costs and cost burden rates are focus of new State of the Nation’s Housing report

The State of the Nation’s Housing 2024 from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies examines the growth in housing costs, exacerbated by increases in home insurance rates and property taxes. The burdens are greatest for low-income households and people of color. Other topics covered include the inadequate housing safety net, the record number of people experiencing homelessness, the growing threat of climate change, and the need to reduce housing’s significant carbon footprint. The report provides data for the U.S. and for states and metro areas.

HAC invites comments on PRICE manufactured housing proposal

HAC’s goals for its Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) program are the preservation and revitalization of manufactured housing and manufactured housing communities in rural communities across the United States, with a focus on places of high poverty. HAC will take a three-pronged approach: 1) provide technical assistance to housing organizations that already own manufactured housing communities or are interested in becoming owners, 2) make grants and forgivable loans to nonprofit or public housing organizations for the acquisition of manufactured housing communities or to address the infrastructure needs at communities already owned by them, and 3) make grants to partner legal assistance and community-based organizations to assist residents of manufactured homes clear heirs’ and/or tangled land titles and convert their property to real estate status, targeting rural communities of color and/or persistent poverty rural communities. To provide feedback on HAC’s application, attend our public hearing on Wednesday, June 26, at noon Eastern time; email written comments to PRICE@ruralhome.org by 11:59 pm Eastern on Friday, June 28; or mail written comments to Housing Assistance Council, Attn: PRICE, 1828 L Street, NW, Suite 505, Washington, DC 20036 and ensure they are received by 11:59 pm Eastern on Friday, June 28.

RuralSTAT

In 2022, the rate of home mortgage denials for Black borrowers residing in the Deep South with earnings over $150,000 were similar to the rates for white borrowers earning between $31,000 and $50,000. Source: Hope Policy Institute, Black Households Still Face Higher Mortgage Denials than White Applicants, Research Finds.

OPPORTUNITIES

HUD opens Youth Homelessness Demo funding round

Nonprofits, state and local governments, Tribes, and Tribal housing entities can apply by August 29 for Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program grants to support planning and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending homelessness for youth aged 24 and under. Up to eight of the 25 awardees will have substantial rural populations.

Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants offered

Preapplications for HPG funds are due to USDA July 29. Nonprofits, state and local public agencies, and Tribes are eligible and can use their grant awards for repairs and rehabilitation of owner-occupied or rental housing in rural areas if the owners or renters have low or very low incomes.

New vouchers available for veterans

Approximately 7,800 new HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers are available for distribution by public housing agencies. PHAs must register their interest by August 30.

Eviction Protection Grants will go to legal services providers

HUD will make Eviction Protection Grants to nonprofit or governmental entities such as legal aid organizations, bar associations, legal clinics, institutions of higher education, and local, state, or tribal agencies to provide free legal assistance to low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction. Applications are due August 20.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

Listening sessions set on HOME proposed rule

HUD’s final virtual public listening sessions on the HOME program proposed regulation will be held June 25 and June 26. The sessions are intended to allow interested persons an opportunity to learn about the proposal and provide comments. Written comments are due July 29.

Comments requested on new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac underserved markets plans

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have drafted new Underserved Markets Plans for 2025-2027, proposing goals for meeting their Duty to Serve obligations for rural housing, manufactured housing, and preservation. The Federal Housing Finance Board will hold listening sessions for stakeholder feedback on July 15, 16, and 17. Written comments are due August 12.

Tribal housing counselors rule finalized

HUD has adopted an alternative regulatory standard for the housing counselor certification that accounts for the unique status of Tribal land and housing programs in Indian Country and recognizes the importance of Tribal expertise. It takes effect on July 12.

Effective date delayed for new Section 184 Indian loan guarantee rule

HUD’s final regulation for the Section 184 Indian Loan Guarantee Program was set to take effect on June 18. That date has been changed to December 31, 2024, and compliance will be required by March 1, 2025. During the additional time, HUD will develop and implement a program handbook and Tribes, lenders, servicers, and others will be able to conform their policies, procedures, and systems with the final rule.

VA revises rule on brokerage fees

Beginning August 10, the Department of Veterans Affairs will allow homebuyers using VA guaranteed loans to pay fees for buyer brokers. Since market practices regarding buyer broker fees are evolving, this change will remain in effect until VA establishes a permanent policy. USDA addressed the situation differently in May by removing a limitation on commission fees for the Section 502 guarantee program.

EVENTS

Rural Rental Housing Preservation Academy to be held in August

Enterprise Community Partners and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis will host an in-person Rural Preservation Academy session August 6-7 in Minneapolis. The two-day convening will feature presentations about a variety of successful approaches for preserving affordable housing, along with updates on policy and research in the field. The speakers will include HAC staff. Register here.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Online tool helps with housing discrimination complaints

A new housing discrimination complaint generator, created by Disability Rights Texas, can be used by residents of any state. After the user fills in the blanks, the system provides a PDF file and information about how to send it to HUD. The tool does not submit the complaint to HUD directly.

Federal housing agencies have authority to address AI concerns, report says

Taking Further Agency Action on AI: How Agencies Can Deploy Existing Statutory Authority to Regulate Artificial Intelligence, published by the Center for American Progress and Governing for Impact, identifies steps that many federal agencies could take to address issues posed by artificial intelligence. On housing, the report argues existing laws such as the Fair Housing Act give HUD and other housing regulators authority to prohibit discrimination based on AI.

Rural employment rates vary by race/ethnicity

A Federal Reserve article, Rural Employment Disparities by Race, Ethnicity, and Region, highlights employment inequalities for people living outside metro areas who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, or African American. “While the metro-nonmetro difference in employment rates for Asian American men is just 5.7 percentage points, the differences for Black or African American men and American Indian or Alaska Native men are 18.1 and 15.4 percentage points, respectively.” For most races, the gaps for women are substantially lower than they are for men. The article also examines variations by region.

CIRD community partners with students to create public art

Ten weeks after a Drexel University professor reached out to the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design staff at HAC in hopes of developing a curriculum focused on rural design, Van Buren, Maine has 10 to 12 new pieces of art to display throughout the town. This partnership is just one example of how CIRD and rural design can connect the younger generation to rural communities.

HAC

HAC is hiring

HAC job listings, each with application instructions, are available on our website.

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including Tribes).

Want to reprint a HAC News item?

Please credit the HAC News and provide a link to HAC’s website. Thank you!

HAC in the News

Rural Veterans and Local Nonprofits Receive Critical Housing Support in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation

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Contacts: AHRV Team, ahrv@ruralhome.org
(202) 842-8600

Washington, DC, June 10, 2024 – Veterans and their families in fourteen rural communities will have better lives, thanks to The Home Depot Foundation and the Housing Assistance Council. The Foundation is awarding grants totaling $472,000 to sixteen local nonprofit housing agencies around the country to preserve housing for veterans in rural America.

The grants are part of The Home Depot Foundation’s mission to provide affordable and accessible housing solutions to U.S. veterans and invest $750 million in veteran causes by 2030. Many veterans and their families face major housing challenges, often exacerbated by issues related to unemployment, age, and service-related disabilities. The Home Depot Foundation and the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) are dedicated to giving back to those who have answered the highest call of service to our nation.

As part of its Affordable Housing for Rural Veterans (AHRV) Initiative, HAC works with The Home Depot Foundation to administer grants that bolster and support the work of rural nonprofit housing agencies to deliver critical housing support to veterans. “The Home Depot Foundation’s enduring partnership and support stands as an important pillar in HAC’s ongoing efforts to bolster and grow the capacity of local rural organizations dedicated to providing and preserving decent, safe, and affordable housing options for veterans across rural America.” said David Lipsetz, HAC’s CEO.  As rural America is home to a disproportionately high number of service women and men, HAC remains deeply committed to supporting our nation’s service women and men by uplifting local nonprofits and their work to house veterans and ensure the habitability of their homes and rural communities.

The grantee organizations – described below – provide a range of programs. With the grants, veterans who own homes in California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee will obtain critical repair assistance. Altogether, 101 veterans and their families will benefit from these grants.

About The Home Depot Foundation 

The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation, the nonprofit arm of The Home Depot (NYSE: HD), works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, support communities impacted by natural disasters and train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $500 million in veteran causes and improved more than 60,000 veteran homes and facilities. The Foundation has pledged to invest $750 million in veteran causes by 2030 and $50 million in training the next generation of skilled tradespeople through the Path to Pro program by 2028. To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation visit HomeDepotFoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @HomeDepotFound and on Facebook and Instagram @HomeDepotFoundation.

About the Housing Assistance Council

The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) is a national nonprofit that supports affordable housing efforts throughout rural America. Since 1971, HAC has provided below-market financing for affordable housing and community development, technical assistance and training, research and information, and policy formulation to enable solutions for rural communities.

To learn more about the Housing Assistance Council, visit www.ruralhome.org and follow HAC on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter @RuralHome.

About the Grantees


  • Appalachia Service Project, Johnson City, TN, will utilize $30,000 to provide critical repairs for twenty (20) low-income veterans across rural Central Appalachia. For additional information on Appalachia Service Project, visit their website at https://asphome.org/.
  • Chesapeake Health Education Program, Inc., Perryville, MD, will utilize $40,000 to complete repairs on two (2) transitional housing units serving six (6) male veterans in Perry Point, MD. For additional information on Chesapeake Health Education Program, Inc., visit their website at https://www.chepinc.org/.
  • GROW South Dakota, Sisseton, SD, will utilize $30,000 to provide critical home repairs for three (3) rural, low-income veterans in Sisseton, SD. For additional information on GROW South Dakota, visit their website at https://www.growsd.org/.
  • Habitat for Humanity Menominee River, Kingsford, MI, will utilize $30,000 to assist eight (8) veteran households with critical repairs in rural Iron and Dickinson Counties, MI. For additional information on Habitat for Humanity of Menominee River, visit their website at https://habitatmr.com/.
  • Habitat for Humanity of Tulare/Kings Counties, Inc., Visalia, CA, will utilize $30,000 to address critical roof repair and replacement on the homes of three (3) low-income veterans residing in Lemoore, CA. For additional information on Habitat for Humanity of Tulare/Kings Counties, Inc., visit their website at https://www.hfhtkc.org/.
  • Habitat for Humanity of York County, Rock Hill, SC, will utilize $30,000 to address four (4) critical home repair projects located in York County, SC. For additional information on Habitat for Humanity of York County, visit their website at https://yorkcountyhabitat.org/.
  • NeighborWorks Umpqua, Roseburg, OR, will utilize $30,000 to provide ten (10) veterans with critical home repairs and ductless HVAC units in Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties, OR. For additional information on NeighborWorks Umpqua, visit their website at https://www.nwumpqua.org/.
  • New Foundation Development, Inc., Calhoun, GA, will utilize $30,000 to provide critical repairs and ADA accessibility modifications for three (3) low-income rural veteran homeowners in Resaca and Calhoun, GA. For additional information on New Foundation Development, Inc., visit their website at https://nfdinc.org/.
  • Rebuilding Together Fargo Moorhead Area, Fargo, ND, will utilize $30,000 to support the rehabilitation and modification of three (3) veteran owned units in Cass and Richland Counties, ND, and Clay County, MN. For additional information on Rebuilding Together Fargo Moorhead Area, visit their website at https://rebuildingtogetherfma.org/.
  • Rebuilding Together Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, will utilize $30,000 to provide critical repairs and/or accessibility modifications for four (4) low-income veteran homeowners in Cottonwood, Jackson, Murray, and Nobles Counties, MN. For additional information on Rebuilding Together Minnesota, visit their website at https://rtmn.org/.
  • Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, Ballston Spa, NY, will utilize $30,000 to provide critical repairs and ADA accessibility modifications for four (4) low-income rural veteran homeowners in rural Warren County, NY. For additional information on Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, visit their website at https://www.rtsaratoga.org/
  • Rebuilding Together Southwest Illinois, Edwardsville, IL, will utilize $30,000 to provide wheelchair ramps and related necessary repairs and renovations to at least ten (10) rural owner-occupied homes of disabled veterans in Macoupin and Bond Counties, IL. For additional information on Rebuilding Together Southwest Illinois, visit their website at https://rebuildswi.org/.
  • ReFIT-Remodeling for Independence Together, Lake Oswego, OR, will utilize $27,000 to complete critical home repairs and accessibility modifications on eight (8) low-income Veteran owner-occupied homes, with a focus on rural Clackamas County, OR. For additional information on ReFIT-Remodeling for Independence Together, visit their website at https://refitportland.org/.
  • Transylvania Habitat for Humanity, Brevard, NC, will utilize $15,000 to provide critical repairs and accessibility modifications for at least four (4) low-income rural veteran homeowners in Transylvania County, NC. For additional information on Transylvania Habitat for Humanity, visit their website at https://transylvaniahabitat.org/.
  • WAMY Community Action, Inc., Boone, NC, will utilize $30,000 to provide critical repairs to preserve four (4) low-income rural Veteran owned homes in rural Appalachia. For additional information on WAMY Community Action, Inc., visit their website at  https://wamycommunityaction.org/.

HAC News: June 6, 2024

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TOP STORIES

House subcommittee to consider USDA funding June 11

The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to mark up a FY25 funding bill on June 11. HAC will post details of the draft House bill online when it is released. Subcommittee markup of the House’s HUD appropriations bill is set for June 27. The Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet scheduled markups.

House committee approves farm bill

The House Agriculture Committee passed its 2024 farm bill, H.R. 8467, on May 23. Full text of the Senate’s version has not yet been released and a Senate markup has not been scheduled.

Funding applications from Rural Partners Network communities to get priority points

Applications seeking USDA Rural Development funding for projects in current and future Rural Partners Network communities will receive extra points. USDA RD will incorporate the change into its existing priority points framework for funding notices published on or after June 1, 2024. Currently, RPN supports community networks in Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico.

HAC’s magazine covers rural data

Demystifying Rural Data: Do You Know Your Market? is the subject of the latest issue of Rural Voices, HAC’s magazine. Data and information have proliferated due to AI and other resources, but quality data are still often more difficult to access in rural communities. Articles by practitioners, policymakers, and community-based organizations share tools, processes, and more for managing the rapidly changing information landscape.

June is National Homeownership Month

USDA and HUD are among the many agencies and organizations marking the month.

June is Pride Month

President Biden issued a proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month.

RuralSTAT

While homeownership rates have traditionally been higher in rural areas than elsewhere, homeownership varies across demographic groups and regions within rural America. More than three-quarters of rural white non-Hispanics are homeowners compared to 57% of rural non-white households. Source: HAC tabulations of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017-2022 American Community Survey.

OPPORTUNITIES

HAC extends deadline to apply for capacity building

The OneRural Capacity Building Program is specifically designed for nonprofit organizations and Tribally Designated Housing Entities seeking to advance their mission of affordable housing and community development. Participants will receive customized technical support, a wealth of training materials and informational guides, and reimbursable scholarships for HAC-sponsored training events. Apply by June 14. For answers to questions, email apply@ruralhome.org and put OneRural Technical Assistance in the subject line.

HUD launches new manufactured home community loan product

The Federal Housing Administration’s Manufactured Home Community loan product will provide an FHA-insured financing option for the purchase, refinance, and revitalization of manufactured home communities. Mission-focused entities such as resident-owned manufactured home communities, cooperatives, nonprofits, state and local governments, CDFIs, and Indian Tribes will be eligible to use the program to finance the acquisition of or to improve existing communities, including making updates to common area resources and helping to maintain rent affordability. HUD’s announcement says this permanent financing tool complements the PRICE program, which offers competitive grants that can be used for investments in affordable manufactured home communities.

Funds offered for reentry housing

The Justice Department’s Smart Reentry Housing Demonstration Program will fund state, local, and Tribal governments, PHAs, and Tribal housing entities to expand or increase access to housing for people who are currently or formerly involved in the criminal justice system. Applicants may propose evidence-based or innovative reentry housing models; stand up new or expand existing models of reentry housing by adding program elements or expanding eligibility; or propose other projects that remove barriers and increase access to housing options for individuals returning to communities from prison or jail. All approaches should seek to facilitate access to wraparound services. Apply by July 18.

Indian Housing Block Grant competitive funds offered

Tribes and Tribally designated housing entities are eligible for grants from the Indian Housing Block Grant–Competitive Grant Program to carry out a range of affordable housing activities. Applications are due August 29.

Service coordinator grants available

Nonprofits, Tribes, PHAs and Indian housing entities, and resident associations are eligible to apply for HUD’s Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency Service Coordinator program, which enables them to hire service coordinators to link residents of public and Indian housing residents to local training and supportive services. Applications are due September 30.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

July 29 deadline set for comments on HOME regulations

HUD’s proposed revisions to the HOME program regulations have been published in the Federal Register. Comments are due July 29.

Age limitation re-imposed for USDA’s disaster home repair grants pilot

USDA RD’s Section 504 Home Repair Loans and Grants in Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas pilot program waived some requirements of the regular Section 504 program, including the requirement for grant recipients to be age 62 or older. Now, because FY24 appropriations reduced Section 504 funding and also rescinded unobligated funds from past years, USDA cannot keep all the waivers in place and is reinstating the age limitation, effective on June 7. The remaining waivers for the pilot program will remain in place and are anticipated to continue until July 18, 2025.

Information requested on closing costs’ impact

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau seeks comments from consumers, industry participants, social services organizations, and others about the impacts of mortgage closing costs on homeowners and the mortgage market. CFPB asks for stories, data, and other information on topics including the extent of added costs and their impact on the ability to purchase a home, anticipate and afford monthly payments, or refinance an existing mortgage. Comments are due August 2.

Annual supplement on federal awards available

The Office of Management and Budget has issued its 2024 Compliance Supplement for guidance on uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for federal awards. Comments are due August 5.

HUD corrects voucher rule

HUD published a notice correcting errors in the text of its May 7 final regulation implementing the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 for the Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Voucher programs.

EVENTS

HAC sets public hearing for June 26 on PRICE manufactured housing proposal

As an applicant for HUD’s new Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement program, HAC will hold a public hearing to obtain feedback on its proposal. HAC’s hearing will be a hybrid event, held at noon Eastern time on Wednesday, June 26, both online and at HAC’s office, 1828 L Street, NW, Suite 505, Washington, DC. Watch your email and HAC’s website for further information!

Manufactured housing solutions to be discussed

Manufactured Housing: Increasing Access and Preserving Affordability will be held in-person and online on June 25. The conversation, convened by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Pew Charitable Trusts Housing Policy Initiative, will highlight promising reforms, strategies, and innovations in the manufactured housing sector.

Webinar to look at HUD and USDA funding

The Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding will hold a webinar June 12 to review final funding levels for FY24 and examine the outlook for HUD and USDA affordable housing funding in FY25. HAC’s Samantha Booth will cover the impact on rural housing.

Rural capacity building and collaboration webinar planned

The Power of Rural Collaboration and Coalition Building: Lessons Learned and Paths Forward, to be held June 17, will cover best practices and lessons learned on rural capacity development, collaboration, and coalition building. This event is the culmination of the multi-year Rural Opportunity and Development Sessions (ROADs), a partnership of the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, HAC, the International Economic Development Council, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Rural LISC, and the Federal Reserve Board with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Gaps persist in U.S. economic well-being

The Federal Reserve’s report on Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2023 reveals that nationwide financial well-being slightly decreased in 2023, with 72% of adults reporting being financially okay, one percentage point less than in 2022. Income gaps and racial gaps persist in homeownership rates. The median monthly rent payment, $1,100, increased by 10% from 2022. Approximately 27% of adults were renters, with Black, Hispanic, and disabled adults and adults living in low- and moderate-income communities more likely to be renters. People living outside metropolitan areas had lower levels of financial well-being than those living in metro areas, and fewer than 3 in 10 outside-metro-area residents rated their local economy as good or excellent. The Fed will hold a webinar about this report on June 20.

Native Americans are less economically secure

The Fed’s Economic Well-Being report, based on findings from its Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking, does not include data for American Indian and Alaska Natives because the sample size is limited. The Center for Indian Country Development at the Minneapolis Fed pooled nine years of SHED data to overcome the sample limitations. The resulting report, Shedding Light on Native American Households’ Financial Stress, reveals that from 2014 to 2022 American Indian and Alaska Native households were less likely than others to report living comfortably and less likely to cover an unexpected expense with cash.

HAC

HAC is hiring

HAC job listings, each with application instructions, are available on our website.

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including Tribes).

Want to reprint a HAC News item?

Please credit the HAC News and provide a link to HAC’s website. Thank you!

HAC News: May 23, 2024

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TOP STORIES

House to begin work on farm bill

The House farm bill, titled the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, has been introduced as H.R. 8467. Like the Senate’s version, the House bill directs USDA Rural Development to provide technical assistance to build local capacity in underserved and distressed areas. It does not, however, include any funding for such work. The House Agriculture Committee is expected to mark up the bill on May 23, with discussion likely to focus on contentious issues such as changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In the Senate, full bill text has not yet been released and a markup has not been scheduled.

Preliminary FY25 funding totals and markup schedule announced for House appropriations bills

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) released interim figures, known as 302(b) allocations, that set a total funding level for each FY25 appropriations bill. Defense spending would increase, while non-defense programs would be cut by 6%, with some departments receiving higher cuts and some lower. These preliminary caps may change. For specific programs, the House’s proposed funding levels will be set as each appropriations bill is drafted and reviewed. Cole’s markup schedule, which is also subject to change, calls for subcommittees to consider the USDA funding bill on June 11 and the Transportation-HUD bill on June 27, with the full committee reviewing both on July 10. The Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet announced 302(b)s or a schedule.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau funding upheld by Supreme Court

On May 16 the Supreme Court, by a 7-2 majority, upheld the constitutionality of the CFPB’s funding mechanism, overturning a federal appellate court ruling and confirming the agency’s legitimacy. The 2010 Dodd-Frank Act created the CFPB with a funding mechanism outside the appropriations process in order to insulate the agency from political pressures. The payday lenders who brought the suit argued this was unconstitutional, but the Supreme Court held it was not. After the ruling, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra stated that enforcement actions put on hold while the case was pending will now move forward, along with agency efforts to address junk fees, credit reports, and more.

Is your organization prepared for summer disasters?

There is no off season for disasters, but the June 1 beginning of hurricane season – predicted to be above normal this year – makes this a good time for many to think about disaster readiness. HAC’s Rural Resilience website offers tools for readiness, response, and recovery, including HAC’s detailed guide, Prepare Your Organization to Respond and Recover from Natural and Man-Made Disasters.

RuralSTAT

Between 2020 and 2023, home prices rose by at least 40% in nearly one-third of counties outside of metropolitan areas. The average home-value-to-income ratio increased from 2.5 in March 2017 to 3.9 in March 2023. Source: Joint Center for Housing Studies, The Geography of Pandemic-Era Home Price Trends and the Implications for Affordability.

OPPORTUNITIES

PRICE manufactured housing notice revised, deadline extended

HUD published a modified funding announcement on May 20 for the new Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) manufactured housing program. Applications are now due on July 10. For more information, email PRICE@hud.gov.

Indian CDBG funds available

HUD is accepting applications from Tribes and Tribal organizations for the competitive Community Development Block Grant Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. The deadline is July 15. For more information, email ONAP-ICDBG@hud.gov.

ReConnect broadband application deadline extended

Due to technology performance issues, USDA has extended the deadline to apply for the ReConnect Program. Applications are now due May 28 rather than May 21. For more information, use the online contact form at https://www.usda.gov/reconnect/contact-us.

USDA offers summer meals for kids

The Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids offered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service can provide traditional congregate summer meals, meals “to go” for pick-up or home delivery, and SUN Bucks for groceries. Information for providers and participants is available online, along with a map to find state government contacts where FNS does not have information.

Rural Innovator nominations open

Through a new Rural Innovators Initiative, the White House will recognize innovators who are making a positive impact in their rural communities. Nominated individuals can be of any age and engaged in the public or private sector. The nomination form will close on June 14.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

HOME program proposed rule released

HUD has posted a pre-publication version of proposed “modernized” regulations for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. HUD says the rule includes provisions to expand access to community housing development organization (CHDO) set-aside funds by neighborhood-based nonprofits; clarify homeownership requirements; better align HOME rental housing with other federal programs; simplify requirements for small rental housing projects; make HOME tenant-based rental assistance work better for vulnerable populations; strengthen tenant rights and protections; establish a new method for determining maximum per-unit subsidy limits; and provide incentives to incorporate green building technologies. Comments will be due 60 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register.

HUD considers extending Buy America waiver for Tribes

HUD’s waiver of the Build America, Buy America Act domestic content preference for Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities, and other Tribal entities was scheduled to expire on May 22, but the department proposes to extend it to September 30. Comments on the extension are due June 17. For more information, email BuildAmericaBuyAmerica@hud.gov.

Comments sought on Federal Home Loan Bank System mission

The Federal Housing Finance Agency requests input on updating the Federal Home Loan Bank System’s mission statement to reflect the System’s role in housing finance, developing metrics and thresholds to evaluate mission achievement, and identifying incentives for FHLBank members. Comments are due July 15 through FHFA’s website (select “FHLBank Mission” from the menu) or by mail.

EVENTS

Webinar to address rural housing and health

Understanding Housing as a Social Driver of Health for Rural Residents will be presented on May 29 by the Rural Health Research Gateway at the University of North Dakota. Presenters will cover findings on rural/urban differences in housing cost burden and quality, as well as challenges and opportunities to improve housing as a social driver of health through policy and programming.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Home prices increased more in rural areas during the pandemic

A new working paper from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, The Geography of Pandemic-Era Home Price Trends and the Implications for Affordability, highlights that while home prices rose across the country from 2020 to 2023, home price growth was disproportionately higher – averaging 36% – in counties outside metro areas, counties in smaller markets, and the lower-density suburbs of large metro areas with over 1 million people, compared to 21% growth in the higher-density urban counties of large metro areas.

Fact sheets connect housing to other sectors

The National Low-Income Housing Coalition’s Opportunity Starts at Home Campaign has posted 16 multi-sector fact sheets compiling evidence that demonstrates the links between safe, affordable housing and health, education, racial equity, and a host of other concerns.

Podcast series covers rural housing and homelessness

The Rural Impact podcast, which describes itself as “a podcast that connects the dots between policy and rural everything,” is airing a series of episodes on rural housing and homelessness. Four of these episodes have been released so far. HAC’s director of public policy, Jonathan Harwitz, was a guest on the first. The podcast is also available on YouTube.

Timeline examines how U.S. housing policy fostered inequities

A History of Housing Policy Through a Racial Equity Lens is an interactive timeline developed by Enterprise Community Partners. It describes how centuries of racist and exploitive housing and land policies fostered many of the socio-economic inequities currently borne by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.

USDA blog features HAC’s Shonterria Charleston

HAC’s director of training and technical assistance, a member of the Rural Community Economic Development subcommittee of USDA’s Equity Commission, is profiled in a recent USDA blog post titled Shonterria Charleston: Serving Rural Communities Through Safe Housing.

CORRECTION

The May 9 HAC News provided an incorrect link to a USDA home repair program in its first story, titled “USDA warns of shortfalls in single-family programs.” HAC will post a corrected version of the story soon.

HAC is hiring

HAC job listings, each with application instructions, are available on our website.

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including Tribes).

Want to reprint a HAC News item?

Please credit the HAC News and provide a link to HAC’s website. Thank you!

HAC News: May 9, 2024

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TOP STORIES

USDA warns of shortfalls in single-family programs

USDA has announced its single-family housing programs will serve fewer people this year because the FY24 consolidated appropriations act reduced funding for most of USDA’s rural housing programs. The Section 502 direct mortgage loan program dropped from $1.25 billion in FY23 to $880 million this year, so USDA says application processing may encounter significant delays. Processing timeframes will differ among states. The Section 504 home repair grant program for elderly homeowners with very low incomes fell from $32 million last year to $25 million this year, and the funding bill also rescinded $28 million carried over from prior years. As a result, USDA will be able to make fewer of these grants. It has also reduced the maximum amount for Section 504 disaster home repair grants from $42,920 to $15,000.

Farm Bill proposals released

The chairs of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees have announced their proposals for the 2024 Farm Bill, though not enough details are available to compare the two. The legislators have not yet made public the full text of either bill.

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) provided both a brief outline and a detailed summary of her Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. HAC supports the bill’s inclusion of a proposed $50 million per year for the Rural Partnership Program, a new capacity building effort. HAC also hopes that the Rural Housing Service Reform Act introduced by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD), which is being considered separately by the Banking Committee, will eventually be added to the Farm Bill as a floor amendment.

Rep. GT Thompson (R-PA) released an overview of his draft 2024 Farm Bill, which will be marked up by the House Agriculture Committee on May 23. The summary of the bill’s Rural Development title mentions broadband connectivity, precision agriculture, health care, childcare, workforce challenges, private capital investments, and the permitting process for USDA RD projects; it is not clear which of these provisions, if any, would apply to housing.

HAC publishes research brief on farmworker housing

Creating a Better Understanding of Farmworker Communities and Their Housing Conditions reviews available data on the social and economic characteristics of farm laborers in the U.S. and on their housing conditions. While their demographics have shifted and the H-2A visa program has grown, farmworkers’ incomes remain low and their housing conditions inadequate. HAC recommends more research on farmworker housing and more resources devoted to improving conditions.

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

President Biden’s proclamation is posted here.

RuralSTAT

Although farmworkers are much more likely to rent their homes than other U.S. residents, they own homes at higher rates than ever before. Around one-third of farmworkers own a home or manufactured home in the U.S., compared to nearly two-thirds of all households in the U.S. Source: HAC tabulations of U.S. Department of Labor NAWS data set 2017-2018.

OPPORTUNITIES

HUD will modify PRICE manufactured housing program funding notice, extend deadline

The deadline for Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement applications will be changed to June 24 rather than June 5, according to a HUD “intent to modify” announcement. HUD plans to make other changes to the funding notice, it says, but specifics will not be available until the modification is published. For more information, email PRICE@HUD.gov.

HAC offers two new training and assistance opportunities

Applications for both programs will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is recommended. For answers to questions, email apply@ruralhome.org and put the name of the program in the subject line.

  • The One Rural Capacity Building Program is specifically designed for nonprofit organizations and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) eager to advance their mission. Participants will receive customized technical support, a wealth of training materials and informational guides, and reimbursable scholarships for HAC-sponsored training events. Apply by May 29.
  • The Empowering Organizations for Successful Homeowner Rehabilitation Learning Cohort is aimed at nonprofits undertaking homeowner rehabilitation efforts. It will guide you through every step of the rehabilitation process, from strategic marketing to project completion. Apply by May 15.

Farmworker housing funding notice corrected

USDA has published a corrected paragraph about commitment letters for third-party funding in its notice offering Section 514 and 516 funds for off-farm farmworker housing. The deadline for preapplications remains July 3.

USDA clarifies Strategic Economic and Community Development set-aside

In February, USDA announced it would set aside FY24 funds in the community facilities, water and waste, and Rural Business Development Grants programs for the Strategic Economic and Community Development priority, which emphasizes projects that support multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic community investment plans. A recent correction notice says that Community Facilities Grant Program funds will not be reserved for SECD this year. The correction does not impact CF loans or guarantees. It also clarifies that community and economic development plans created in association with approved USDA Rural Partners Network networks will be accepted as plans under SECD.

Program will support rural artists in the Upper Great Plains

Ignite Rural is an eight-month residency program hosted by the Department of Public Transformation, a rural arts nonprofit. It is aimed at supporting rural artists who engage in social and civic work for their communities. This “at-home” cohort is open to artists who live in rural communities with populations of 20,000 or less within Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native Nations that share that geography. Applications are due June 5.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

HUD extends deadline for Buy America comments

Information on the cost and availability of materials covered by the Build America, Buy America Act is now due to HUD by June 17 rather than April 15. HUD requests details on domestic materials sourcing, market readiness, other product supply considerations, and whether specific housing products or their components are manufactured in the U.S.

HUD also recently posted materials from its most recent webinar on implementing BABA.

Rule covers fair lending and equitable housing finance for Fannie, Freddie, and Home Loan Banks

A final rule on fair lending, fair housing, and Equitable Housing Finance Plans will apply to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s oversight of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. FHFA explains that the rule codifies existing FHFA practices in regulation and adds new requirements related to fair lending, fair housing, unfair or deceptive acts or practices, and Equitable Housing Finance Plans. Most parts of the rule will be effective 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register. FHFA will hold a public listening session June 5 to hear interim feedback on Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s implementation of their current Equitable Housing Finance Plans and preparation of their 2025-2027 plans.

Revision to USDA guarantee program accounts for fee changes

Housing industry practices regarding real estate agent commission fees are changing, so USDA has made a corresponding change in the Section 502 single-family guaranteed loan program. The program has a 6% cap on seller concessions, which are funds from a seller or other interested party to incentivize a buyer to purchase a home. Real estate commission fees paid by the seller on behalf of the homebuyer will now be excluded from the 6% cap. USDA’s announcement says this update ensures that regardless of any possible changes to real estate commission requirements, rural homebuyers will continue to be able to affordably access guaranteed home loan financing from USDA.

HUD adopts changes to voucher programs

Amendments to HUD regulations implement changes to the Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Voucher programs made by the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016. HUD has also made other changes that are intended to reduce burden on public housing agencies.

H-2A farmworker visa program regulations revised

The Department of Labor has issued new regulatory provisions, adding to the 2022 overhaul of its rules for the H-2A temporary farmworker visa program. DOL says this rule adopts important provisions that will further strengthen protections for agricultural workers and enhance the department’s enforcement capabilities, thereby permitting more effective enforcement against fraud and program violations.

Two agencies allow homebuyers to request new appraisals

HUD’s Federal Housing Administration and the Federal Housing Finance Agency worked together to develop new “reconsideration of value” policies for borrowers with mortgages insured by FHA or purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. A homebuyer will be able to request a re-assessment of the appraised value of their property if they believe that the appraisal was inaccurate or biased.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Thrive Rural Resource Center launched

HAC is honored to be part of the Thrive Rural Resource Center, a collaborative initiative hosted by the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group. Tailored for policymakers, philanthropists, and media professionals, the center provides information and strategies for equitable rural development.

USDA tenants’ rights explained

USDA has two new publications for residents of its multifamily housing properties. One explains Tenant Rights and Responsibilities. The other covers MFH Grievance Procedures Frequently Asked Questions.

U.S. wealth inequality hits record high

For the first time, the Urban Institute reports a seven-figure racial wealth gap: the average wealth held by white families is more than $1 million higher than that of Hispanic and Black families. Nine Charts about Wealth Inequality in America demonstrate disparities not just by race but also by gender. Accounting for educational attainment, women earn less than men with the same race. White women earn more on average than women of color and white men earn more on average than men of color.

Essays explore solutions for community development and climate resilience

What’s Possible: Investing Now for Prosperous, Sustainable Neighborhoods is a collection of essays exploring the intersection of community development and climate resilience. A number of the essays touch on housing issues. A collaboration of Enterprise Community Partners, LISC, and the New York Fed, What’s Possible is intended to offer practical solutions for clean energy, resilience, and equity. The entire book can be downloaded free. Print copies are also available.

National radio story features Rural Studio

What One Group’s Experiments Designing Affordable Housing in Rural America Show, a National Public Radio story on May 5, highlighted the work of Auburn University’s Rural Studio supporting affordable housing in Alabama. The story focuses on a resident of Hale County, AL and his house, which has a roof and foundation much larger than the current structure, allowing for future expansion.

HAC

HAC is hiring

HAC job listings, each with application instructions, are available on our website.

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including Tribes).

Want to reprint a HAC News item?

Please credit the HAC News and provide a link to HAC’s website. Thank you!

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50 Years for Rural America

Over 50 years HAC has worked in every U.S. state and the territories. Learn more about what our work means for rural communities.

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