TOP STORIES

Lame duck Congress to reconvene November 12

When members of the 118^th Congress return to work next week they will face a continuing resolution that expires December 20, a need for significant disaster recovery funding, and an expired Farm Bill. One possible outcome is a supplemental disaster appropriations bill that also extends the CR for FY25 funding to March, after the next Congress is seated.

At press time, control of the House in the 119^th Congress has not yet been determined, but Donald Trump’s reelection and a Republican majority in the Senate can be expected to lead to changes in federal housing and rural development policy.

Control of key Senate committees will change. Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) is expected to become chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) becoming the top Democrat. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) is in line to chair the Banking Committee, which has jurisdiction over housing programs. Sen. Scott has been rumored as a candidate for President-elect Trump’s cabinet or another senior political appointment, in which case Sen. Mike Crapo (R-WY) would chair the committee. With Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) having lost his seat, next in line to become ranking member is Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), although he is unlikely to give up his Ranking Member position on the Armed Services Committee. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) is next in seniority, but would also be required to give up a coveted Ranking Member position on the Intelligence Committee; if he chose not to do so, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is next in line.

HAC policy recommendations highlighted by HousingWire

It’s Time to Address Rural America’s Housing Crisis, an opinion piece by HAC President and CEO David Lipsetz, describes three steps federal policymakers can take to address the misalignment between rural needs and federal housing aid: craft tax policy that accounts for the economics of rural America’s housing markets, empower USDA to more forcefully shape the next generation of housing policy, and streamline federal housing programs and grow rural communities’ capacity to use them.

November honors Native Americans, veterans, and military families

November is both National Native American Heritage Month and National Veterans and Military Families Month.

RuralSTAT

Approximately 53% of Native Americans live in rural communities. Source: HAC tabulations of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

Recorded deed restrictions proposed to keep Section 538 properties affordable

Rental properties with mortgages guaranteed under USDA’s Section 538 program are required to remain affordable for the original term of the mortgage. If a mortgage is prepaid and no separate deed restriction was recorded, USDA has no way to enforce the affordability requirement. A proposed regulation would require recordation of a separate deed restriction stating that the housing must remain available for occupancy by low- and moderate-income households for the original term of the guaranteed loan. Comments are due January 6, 2025.

Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program simplified for rentals

A new bulletin from the Federal Housing Finance Agency is intended to make it easier for project sponsors to apply for grants or subsidized advances from the Federal Home Loan Banks’ Affordable Housing Program to develop rental housing. Advisory Bulletin 2024-05: Affordable Housing Program: Determining the Need for Affordable Housing Program Subsidy in Rental Projects addresses feedback from program users regarding subsidy determinations and compliance burdens.

IRS requests input on regulations for energy efficient home improvement credit

The Section 25C energy efficient home improvement credit, as modified by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, allows an individual taxpayer to receive a credit for the taxable year equal to 30% of the cost of qualified energy efficiency improvements, residential energy property expenditures, and home energy audits. The IRS has proposed rules for manufacturers to register to be qualified manufacturers and rules for taxpayers to calculate the credit. Comments are due December 24. Requests to speak at a public hearing on January 21 are also due December 24.

Treasury issues National Strategy for Financial Inclusion

The Treasury Department has released a National Strategy for Financial Inclusion in the United States with recommendations for policymakers, industry, employers, and community organizations to advance consumer access to safe financial products and services and strengthen financial security. The strategy recognizes rural residents as among those who are underserved by the country’s current financial system.

National Flood Insurance premiums can now be paid monthly

FEMA has revised the regulations for the National Flood Insurance Program to offer NFIP policyholders the option of paying their annual flood insurance premium in monthly installments.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

U.S. underproduced housing by 3.85 million homes in 2022

2024 Housing Underproduction in the U.S., a study from Up for Growth, examines the gap between housing and need at all income levels. The research found that in 2022, for the first time in more than a decade, housing underproduction decreased by 50,000 homes. This slight improvement was driven by low interest rates and historic demand for housing as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic began to lessen. In 24 states, however, housing underproduction worsened between 2021 and 2022. The average U.S. state had a housing deficit of 75,000 homes.

Report considers policies for heirs’ property and wealth preservation

The Asset Funders Network released a new publication, Heirs’ Property: Policies to Preserve Wealth, with an accompanying state-specific Texas: Checklist of State and Local Legal Heirs’ Property Protections and a brief on the Impacts of Heirs’ Property on Homeowners in North Texas. These briefs highlight state and local policies that impact heirs’ property owners and present a checklist to inform planning for education and advocacy in municipalities.

Black/white wealth gap almost unchanged from 1992 to 2022, report shows

The Racial Wealth Gap 1992 to 2002, published by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, reports that in 1992 median Black wealth was about 14% of median white wealth. In 2022, it was 15%, and the wealthiest 80% of Black households held less wealth than the median White household. The wealth of Black and Hispanic households is increasingly reliant on homeownership, NCRC reports, with insufficient liquid assets leaving their economic positions more fragile and more susceptible to market fluctuations.

Study shows broadband’s impact in rural places

The Center on Rural Innovation reports in Beyond Connectivity: The Role of Broadband in Rural Economic Growth and Resilience that higher broadband utilization (higher broadband adoption rates and a higher prevalence of small broadband service providers) improves the economic dynamism of rural areas. Rural communities that are better connected and have access to additional services that allow users to effectively leverage that connection see a more significant economic impact, while comparable underserved communities experience economic stagnation, even when comparing regions with the same demographics, economic conditions and poverty rates. The report includes closer looks at specific communities in Georgia, Minnesota, and Montana.

CIRD town manager receives award for economic and revitalization efforts

Luke Dyer, manager of the town of Van Buren, Maine, credits participation in the Citizen’s Institute on Rural Design’s Design Learning Cohort for spurring improvements in Van Buren. Dyer will be honored with the William F. King Jr. Downtown Champion Award on November 7 during Maine’s Downtown Conference. This award recognizes downtown revitalization efforts throughout the state.

HAC

HAC is hiring

HAC job listings and application links are available on our website.

• External Affairs Specialist
• Training Implementation Specialist

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!

TOP STORIES

Disaster recovery information available from HAC

HAC has published disaster response guides for those affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. 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.

Lawsuit filed to expand freeze on new H-2A farmworker rule

A group of growers and others has filed a legal action challenging new regulations that add protections for farmworkers with H-2A visas. In August a similar suit resulted in a preliminary injunction that blocks implementation of the rule in 17 states. While that case proceeds, the new filing asks a different federal court to declare the regulations unconstitutional and says the plaintiffs will ask to expand the preliminary injunction.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

HUD’s Office of Fair Housing reminds readers that domestic violence and harassment in housing are prohibited by the Fair Housing Act. Housing discrimination complaints can be filed here.

RuralSTAT

In 2021-22, 22% of crop workers interviewed for a Department of Labor survey lived in a dwelling defined as crowded. According to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, approximately 3.4% of households nationally are crowded. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Findings from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) 2021–2022: A Demographic and Employment Profile of United States Crop Workers and HAC tabulations of  2018-2022 American Community Survey data.

OPPORTUNITIES

AmeriCorps support and small grants available for disaster-impacted communities

SBP, a national nonprofit disaster recovery organization, offers assistance to locally based nonprofits. Its Disaster Recovery AmeriCorps Program assists impacted communities in long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. November 1 is the deadline to apply for grants from two SBP programs to aid homeowners with low and moderate incomes. National Long Term Recovery Grants are for local long-term disaster recovery nonprofits providing rebuild services for presidentially declared disasters within the past four years. Preparedness and Resilience Micro Grants are for local nonprofits providing resources and support for individuals and community members at high risk for extreme weather or climate events.

Grants offered for community environmental justice projects

Eleven groups that are administering funds from EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program are beginning to offer pass-through subgrants to nonprofits, Tribal governments, local governments, and others in communities affected by environmental or public health issues. A wide variety of project types are eligible, including healthy homes efforts, small land purchases, testing, and surveying. Application processes and deadlines will vary among the 11 regional “Grantmakers,” most of which have not yet issued RFPs. One of them, the Environmental Protection Network, is collecting information about all 11 RFPs here.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

USDA changes compliance date for HOTMA tenant income provisions

To be consistent with the deadlines HUD announced in September, USDA is extending full implementation of Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act regulations. HOTMA requirements will apply to certifications of income for tenants in USDA-financed rental housing effective on or after July 1, 2025.

Manufactured housing pilot extended again

USDA is extending its manufactured housing pilot in the Section 502 direct and guaranteed programs until May 1, 2025 while it continues to work on a final rule that will make the pilot’s new flexibilities available nationwide. A proposed rule was published in August 2023.

Guidance offered on emergency pull cords in USDA properties

USDA does not require emergency call systems (often called pull cords) in rental units it finances, but where such systems are in place they must be operational. Systems that are not operational must be removed, according to new USDA guidance, which notes that they can give tenants a false sense of security.

Floodplain rule corrected

FEMA has issued a correction to a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard regulation published in July.

EVENTS

Register now to learn more about the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design

Join CIRD online on October 24 for our 2023-2024 local design workshop showcase, titled CIRD’s Local Design Workshops: The Process Explained. CIRD is a leadership initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with HAC. With support from a wide range of design, planning, and creative placemaking professionals, CIRD design workshops bring together local residents and local leaders from nonprofits, community organizations, and government to develop actionable solutions to specific design challenges. To learn more about CIRD’s workshop process from the perspective of our workshop communities, our design partners at TBD Studio, and others, register here for the showcase.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Report provides national survey data on farmworkers

The Department of Labor has published its report on the 2021-2022 National Agricultural Workers Survey. While limited, the NAWS provides some insight into the characteristics of farmworkers in the United States. As one of the most impoverished groups in the nation, farmworkers continue to earn low wages with mean and median incomes in the $20,000-$24,999 range and experience working conditions that hinder their ability to access affordable housing.

Webinar looks at expanding rural development capacity

A recorded webinar titled Advancing Inclusive Development in Rural Towns explores efforts by the Brookings Institution and LISC to expand capacity and development in three rural Indiana towns. Leaders involved in this effort discuss increasing local involvement in policymaking, expanding local capacity, and improving access to local and regional resources to spur rural development.

New report considers accessory dwelling units for affordable housing

The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University and NeighborWorks America released a new report, Nonprofit Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Programs as Affordable Housing Strategies, finding that ADUs fulfill a range of housing needs in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Regulations, zoning, and financing impact the provision of ADUs in some communities.

Podcast focuses on rural philanthropy

Funding Rural, a podcast now in its second season, features voices from across rural, remote, and Indigenous spaces who are working to bring change to the areas and communities they serve. The Daily Yonder recently posted an interview with podcast host Erin Borla.

American Housing Survey to begin collecting monthly data

The American Housing Survey, the country’s most comprehensive housing survey, is currently conducted every two years. Starting in May 2025, it will be run as a continuous operation with new data collected every month. Celebrating the AHS’s 50th anniversary this year, Census and HUD note that in 1973, there were about 76 million housing units in the U.S., compared to 145.3 million in 2023. The two agencies also released new housing data from the 2023 AHS.

HAC

HAC is hiring

HAC job listings and application links are available on our website.

• Training Implementation Specialist

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!

TOP STORIES

Government funding extended, shutdown avoided

Federal funding will last through December 20 under H.R. 9747, a continuing resolution that passed both houses of Congress on September 25 and is expected to be signed into law by President Biden. It extends most federal funding at FY24 levels, with “anomalies” – provisions that differ from a strict continuation of existing funding levels – for some items. It includes anomalies requested by the administration that give HUD flexibility to use unobligated Tenant Protection Vouchers carryover funding and also release some funds for USDA Community Facilities direct loans. It extends the authorizations for several expiring programs including the National Flood Insurance Program and VA aid for homeless veterans, though it does not cover Farm Bill programs. It does not provide supplemental disaster funding but does allow FEMA to access some added funds.

HUD, USDA, and others affirm commitment to Violence Against Women Act’s housing provisions

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, federal agencies including HUD, USDA, VA, the Department of Justice, and the Treasury Department issued an interagency statement on VAWA’s housing provisions. The statement asserts the agencies are committed to preventing survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking from losing their housing or housing assistance, experiencing housing instability, or becoming at risk of homelessness due to the violence they have experienced.

Colonias study makes recommendations to Congress and USDA

The Government Accountability Office examined five HUD and USDA programs that target water/wastewater and housing aid to colonias (HUD’s CDBG program and USDA’s Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks; Individual Water and Wastewater Grants; Section 502 direct loans; and Section 504 home repair loans and grants). GAO’s report, Rural Development: Actions Needed to Improve Assistance to Southwest Border Communities Known as Colonias, noted that the agencies work to address some of the challenges to serving colonias, for example by offering technical assistance. It found, however, USDA did not consistently track data that would show whether the Section 502 and 504 programs were meeting their colonias setaside goals. Also, GAO estimated that almost 60% of colonias will likely be disqualified in the near future for the setasides in CDBG and USDA’s housing programs because they are located in the El Paso and McAllen metropolitan statistical areas where the population will grow to over 1 million. Those colonias will remain eligible for general funding from those programs, but GAO suggested Congress should raise the population cut-off limit for setaside eligibility.

RuralSTAT

From 2010 to 2020, the rural Hispanic population increased by roughly 1 million, or 19.7%. The overall rural population would have declined substantially during the decade if not for this growth in the Hispanic population. Source: HAC tabulations of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2000 and 2010 Census of Population and Housing and 2020 P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data.

OPPORTUNITIES

USDA offers funding for rental housing preservation

Loans and grants are available for owners and purchasers to preserve and improve existing Section 515 rental housing and off-farm Section 514/516 properties under the Multifamily Housing Preservation and Revitalization Demonstration (MPR) and Section 515 loan programs. USDA will set aside 10% of the funds for persistent poverty counties. Funds will also be set aside for Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zones in New York, North Dakota, and Vermont. Applicants must email USDA by December 16 to obtain application submission instructions and must apply by December 26. Workshops for potential applicants will be announced via GovDelivery notice (sign up here) and will be posted on USDA’s multifamily programs website. USDA is also offering funds for providers of technical assistance on rental preservation and farmworker housing development, with a November 18 deadline.

Fellowships will help young adults work in housing justice

Generation Housing Justice, a new initiative by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, aims to bring more young adults ages 18-24 into the housing justice movement by equipping 20 fellows with the knowledge and resources they need to successfully advocate for federal affordable housing solutions. Each fellow will receive a stipend of $1,000 upon successful completion of the program and travel support to attend NLIHC’s Housing Policy Forum in Washington, DC. People with lived experience of housing instability and/or homelessness are encouraged to apply. The deadline is November 1. For more information, contact outreach@nlihc.org or 202-507-7452.

Fair housing funding available

HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program has funds available for nonprofit fair housing organizations under four separate funding notices: the Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (deadline November 19), Private Enforcement Initiative (deadline November 25), Education and Outreach Initiative (deadline November 19), and Education and Outreach Initiative – Test Coordinator Training (deadline November 19).

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

Revisions suggested for Section 502 guaranteed mortgage program

USDA’s Rural Housing Service proposes to amend its Section 502 single-family guarantee program regulations. Currently an applicant is ineligible if they have defaulted on an RHS loan at any time in the past, but this proposal would eliminate that consideration after seven years. It is also intended to clarify the requirements related to borrowers’ eligibility to refinance their current mortgages. Comments are due November 1.

USDA publishes guide to tenant recertifications

Processing Tenant Recertifications: A Guide for Multifamily Housing Owners and Management Companies identifies processes and requirements for owners and managers of USDA-financed rental housing. It explains recertification responsibilities, timeframes for notifying tenants, documentation requirements, and more.

HUD revises housing counseling rules

HUD is updating its regulations to allow housing counseling agencies to provide services in ways other than meeting in-person with clients, such as using virtual meeting tools. Counseling agencies that choose not to provide in-person services are required to refer clients to local providers that provide such services, when requested.

Interagency council adopts framework for preventing homelessness

Ending Homelessness Before It Starts: A Federal Homelessness Prevention Framework, was released September 23 by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. The framework is intended to help local, tribal, and state governments, nonprofits, funders, systems, providers, and advocates. It explains steps for developing a community-wide, cross-system approach to homelessness prevention, shares promising practices, and lists available federal resources. USICH has also launched a new blog series spotlighting local and federal efforts to prevent homelessness.

Comments requested on distributing lead hazard funds by formula

HUD seeks public input regarding the development of a formula to allocate Lead Hazard Reduction and Healthy Homes grants. Currently, these programs are required to hold funding competitions. HUD’s notice says the agency believes a formula grant program could allow more efficient distribution of funding to the highest need communities, streamline the selection and award of grants, and help maximize funding utilization. Comments are due November 15.

HUD extends HOTMA compliance deadline

HUD’s Housing Notice H 2024-09 extends the date that owners of HUD multifamily properties must be fully compliant with Sections 102 and 104 of the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) to July 1, 2025. The department says it will soon release a series of FAQs to address stakeholder questions and will update the FAQs as needed. It invites additional questions to MFH_HOTMA@hud.gov.

FEMA reopens comment period for government aid programs

On July 2 FEMA published a proposed rule that would update the regulations for its Public Assistance and Community Disaster Loan programs, which aid state, Tribal, territorial, and local governments after major disasters. The comment period originally closed September 3 but has been reopened through October 18.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

It is not clear whether federal land can help relieve affordable housing shortages

While a variety of policymakers have suggested making federal land available for housing development, reporters have identified a number of challenges involved. For example, Fast Company points out that most federal land is not located where housing demand is highest. If new housing in high-amenity areas is not protected, High Country News says, it could be used for short-term rentals or second homes. Politico adds that NIMBY opposition could slow or stop development, and quotes a source suggesting this development would need to attract for-profit developers. All three articles note that new infrastructure would be needed to make new housing feasible. At the same time, local environments would need to be protected and new building would have to avoid increasing the risk of hazards such as wildfires.

Natural gas extraction has not fulfilled hopes in West Virginia

A Mountain State Spotlight story challenges the assumption that fracking has been an economic boon for communities. The Natural Gas Boom was Supposed to Bring Prosperity to West Virginians in Poverty. That Didn’t Happen notes the resource companies promised local communities that extracting natural gas would mean more good paying jobs and resources that could improve local economies. Local residents identify some improvements, but poverty rates remain high. Out-of-state workers took many of the fracking jobs and, over time, the number of jobs has decreased. Efforts to capture some extra monies from taxing natural gas extractions never materialized in West Virginia although other states, like North Dakota and Wyoming, have been able to ensure revenues are used to help communities now and in the future.

Guide addresses language used for substance use disorders

A brief guide from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing offers practical principles for reducing stigma and fostering understanding when discussing substance use disorders. The principles include use of person-centered and accessible language, use of morally neutral and factual language, and research-informed presentation of information.

HAC

HAC is hiring

HAC job listings and application links are available on our website.

• Training Implementation Specialist
• Accountant

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!

TOP STORIES

Party platforms pledge to reduce housing costs

The Democratic and Republican party platforms both recognize the issues of housing affordability and homelessness, but address them differently. (This summary does not cover proposals from Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 2025, produced by Project 2025. The book has received media attention as indicative of policies a second Trump administration would endorse, but it is not an official party document.)

The Republican platform’s statement on housing affordability focuses on homeowners: “To help new home buyers, Republicans will reduce mortgage rates by slashing Inflation, open limited portions of Federal Lands to allow for new home construction, promote homeownership through Tax Incentives and support for first-time buyers, and cut unnecessary Regulations that raise housing costs.” The document also supports “Policies that help Seniors remain in their homes,” pledges to “compassionately address homelessness to restore order to our streets,” and asserts that “Republicans will end luxury housing and Taxpayer benefits for Illegal Immigrants and use those savings to shelter and treat homeless Veterans.” The document provides no further details on any of these topics. It makes no specific references to rural or Tribal concerns.

The Democratic platform offers more details, with sections on topics such as housing, poverty, Tribal Nations, racial equity, the climate crisis, and environmental justice. It refers repeatedly to rural and Tribal needs, including the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts in “tackling persistent poverty and building economic prosperity in rural communities.” There is one specific mention of housing and rural together: “We’ll keep working to expand other programs that reduce home heating, cooling, and water bills as well, especially in rural areas.” Specific housing pledges reflect the administration’s previously announced housing plan, including expanding rental assistance, providing tax credits and down payment assistance for homebuyers, expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, creating a homeownership tax credit, using the housing first model to address homelessness, and eliminating landlord junk fees, fair housing violations, and biased home appraisals. The platform mentions housing needs for people leaving the criminal justice system, domestic abuse survivors, Native Americans, residents of U.S. territories, migrants, veterans, and LGBTQI+ people. Many of its pledges are repeated in a Harris-Walz economic plan that calls for the construction of three million new housing units.

New rule for H-2A farmworkers halted in some states

New protections for farmworkers with H-2A visas, provided in a Department of Labor rule published in April, have been blocked by a preliminary injunction issued in a lawsuit that claims the rule illegally provided collective bargaining rights to these workers. The injunction applies only in the 17 states that joined with growers to file the suit. Court proceedings in the case will continue.

September is National Preparedness Month

FEMA explains that the observance is to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. 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.

September is National Recovery Month

This annual national observation is meant to highlight the resources needed to make recovery from substance use possible. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a range of resources and events for the month.

RuralSTAT

Approximately 20% of rural households do not have broadband internet connections, compared to 11% in suburbs and 13% in cities: Source: HAC tabulations of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017-2021 American Community Survey.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

Buy America expands to more HUD activities, new resources posted

HUD has added two new Build America, Buy America Act online resources for recipients of Community Planning and Development (CPD) funding such as HOME and CDBG. An optional Buy America Preference (BAP) checklist is intended to help determine whether the preference applies to a specific project. An optional BAP certification can be used by grantees to assist with subrecipient recordkeeping for procurement of BABA-compliant materials. HUD’s notice also reminds recipients that as of August 23, for FY24 CDBG and Recovery Housing Program grants, BAP will apply to specifically listed construction materials, in addition to iron and steel. For projects with other FY24 CPD funds, BAP will apply to iron and steel, construction materials, and manufactured products.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announce tenant protections

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have jointly released a policy framework and FAQs for their implementation of new protections for tenants in properties with mortgages they back. As the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced in July, tenants will be entitled to 30-day notices before rent increases, 30-day notices on lease expirations, and five-day grace periods before imposing late fees on rental payments. The provisions will take effect for new loans signed after February 28, 2025.

Housing goals proposed for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has proposed housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for 2025 through 2027. The goals and subgoals cover a number of categories, including separate categories for single-family and multifamily mortgages on housing affordable to low-income and very low-income families. FHFA is also proposing new criteria for requiring a housing plan if Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac does not meet a goal. Comments are due October 28.

USDA explains upcoming changes to tenant calculations

USDA Rural Development has released an overview of tenant income and asset calculation changes due to the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act as well as a schedule for updates. This information adds to previous USDA guidance on the subject.

HUD adds flexibilities to vouchers for people with disabilities

Guidance from HUD creates new alternative requirements and waivers for Mainstream Vouchers, which provide housing assistance to people with disabilities between 18 and 62 years old who are transitioning out of institutional or other isolated settings, at serious risk of institutionalization, homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless. Changes include lengthening the initial search term, prohibiting residency preferences for these vouchers, and allowing PHAs to create separate waiting lists.

Quality control standards required for automated appraisals

A final rule will implement quality control standards for the use of automated valuation models (AVMs) by lenders, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac in appraising the values of homes that secure mortgage loans. The regulation was issued jointly by several agencies involved in regulating housing finance and will take effect on October 1, 2025. It requires adoption of policies, practices, procedures, and control systems to ensure that AVMs used to determine the value of mortgage collateral adhere to quality control standards designed to ensure a high level of confidence in the estimates produced by AVMs, protect against the manipulation of data, seek to avoid conflicts of interest, require random sample testing and reviews, and comply with applicable nondiscrimination laws.

USDA has new deputy for single-family housing

Cathy Glover, the long-time Deputy Administrator for Single-Family Housing at the Rural Housing Service, retired on July 31. Christine Mechtley now holds the position.

EVENTS

Multifamily housing transfer listening session set

USDA Rural Development will hold a September 5 online listening session on the multifamily housing transfer process. Stakeholders are invited to share their experiences with the transfer process, including the simple transfer pilot. Preregistration is required.

Discussion to explore rural migration and displacement

A virtual discussion on Exploring Migration and Displacement in Rural Communities is scheduled for September 10. Hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Community Strategies Group, the conversation will consider what it will take for rural communities to balance new residents, retain longtime residents and cultural traditions, and develop more equitable local economies. It will also examine the mechanisms and trends driving migration and displacement in rural communities.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Property insurance changes and alternatives examined

In a report titled Climate Change, Disaster Risk, and Homeowner’s Insurance, the Congressional Budget Office analyzes recent changes in property insurance markets along with possible solutions. Suggestions include alternative insurance products as well as policy approaches to increase the availability and affordability of insurance for homeowners and renters. First Street will offer a webinar about this report on September 5.

Reports cover broadband’s importance and innovations in rural and Native communities

Expanding America’s Bandwidth: Gaps in Rural and Underserved Communities, a brief paper from the Federal Reserve Board, summarizes research on the importance of broadband and how the lack of access disproportionately impacts rural and low-income communities. Practitioners’ expertise is offered in a recent publication from the Aspen Institute’s Community Strategies Group, Making Broadband Work for Rural Communities and Native Nations, which covers lessons learned, gaps in resources, and innovative approaches. A set of case studies from Cornell University, Innovative State Strategies for Rural Broadband: Case Studies from Colorado, Minnesota and Maine, is summarized in a blog post by the Pew Charitable Trusts, which supported the research.

HAC

HAC supports rural provisions in Capital Magnet Fund interim rule

HAC submitted comments on an interim rule for the CDFI Fund’s CMF program, broadly supporting the rule and focusing on several rural elements. We support adding a national Rural Service Area, which will make it easier to use CMF in rural areas; aligning CMF income targeting with other federal programs and prioritizing applications that propose deeper income targeting; and using the Duty to Serve definition for rural areas.

HAC is hiring

HAC job listings and application links are available on our website.

• Training Implementation Specialist
• Accountant
• Program Manager, Center for Rural Multifamily Housing Preservation

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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