Public Housing Successes
A different angle on life in public housing. National Public Radio (NPR) features an art exhibit that includes numerous photos of public housing residents who have had successes, both large and small
Lower FHA premiums
President Obama outlines a plan to make homeownership more accessible and sustainable. A centerpiece of the Administration’s proposal would be to lower FHA premiums by 50 basis points, potentially saving borrowers as much as $900 annually.
Rural Development Leadership Network Auction
The Rural Development Leadership Network is hosting an online auction to help promote entreprenuership in rural areas. For more information, visit the auction homepage at https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action…
Please Refer a Friend and encourage them to participate so they don’t miss the fun and excitement. Please respond to rdln@ruraldevelopment.org.
Changes in Rural Housing Eligibility Definition Delayed by Continuing Resolution
September 25, 2014 – USDA Rural Development says that the continuing resolution (CR) to extend FY14 funding levels through December 11 also extends a provision related to the definition of rural used for the USDA rural housing programs. The FY14 appropriations law prohibited declaring any communities ineligible for the rural housing programs if they were eligible on September 30, 2013. President Obama signed the continuing resolution into law on September 19. As its name implies, the CR continues provisions of the FY14 law, including the prohibition on making places ineligible.
If a new FY15 appropriations law had been enacted, communities could have been determined ineligible based on population – if their populations grew to over 35,000 – or based on no longer being considered “rural in character.” USDA recently suspended all “rural in character” changes until at least September 30, 2015, so the CR’s suspension of ineligibility applies only to places with populations over 35,000. It will last until Congress enacts, and the President signs, an FY15 USDA appropriations law. It is possible that additional CRs will be adopted beyond December 11, maybe even for all of fiscal year 2015 (through September 30, 2015).
Second round of Promise Zone Competition announced
The Obama Administration invites a new round of eligible applicants to apply for a Promise Zone designation. HUD will designate six urban communities and USDA at least one rural and one tribal community as Promise Zones. This initiative targets high-poverty communities for job creation, economic development, and additional special assistance in an effort to drastically improve conditions for communities suffering persistent poverty. Applications are due November 21, 2014 by 5:00 PM EST.
Audience Focused Webcasts
To assist communities with the application process, HUD and USDA are hosting three Promise Zone Initiative Webcasts:
Tribal Webcast
September 29, 2014, Monday
1:00-2:00p.m. EST (please adjust for your local time)
Rural Webcast
September 29, 2014, Monday
3:00-4:00 p.m. EST (please adjust for your local time)
Urban Webcast
October 1, 2014, Wednesday
3:00-4:00 p.m. EST (please adjust for your local time)
More information
John Henneberger named a 2014 MacArthur Fellow
HAC would like to congratulate John Henneberger of Texas Low Income Housing Information Service on his selection as a 2014 MacArthur Fellow. John received the honor in in recognition of his innovation with regard to post-disaster recovery.
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NPR explores homeless veteran populations
While there are now fewer homeless veterans than in the past, there are growing number of homeless veterans with families, including many women. NPR examines the unique needs of these populations.
Learn more about the HAC loan fund
The HAC loan fund is hosting two upcoming webinars that will provide an overview of its products and help organizations in rural areas better understand how to access and creative utilize capital from HAC.
Understanding HAC Loan Products: An Overview on Uses, Eligibility Requirements and Restrictions
Making it Work: Creative Ways to Utilize HAC Loan Products in Your Affordable Housing Development
The HAC loan fund lends only to organizations that develop housing in rural areas and does not offer programs accesible for individuals looking for housing. If you are looking for housing for yourself, visit our “Looking for Housing” page.