Members of the Delta Design Build Workshop crew frame a house in the Eastmoor Subdivision near Moorhead, Mississippi on Sept. 2, 2020.
Rory Doyle

Enhance Your Organization’s Impact with HAC’s Upcoming Capacity Building Opportunities

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We are thrilled to present the following exciting opportunities for your organization to expand its impact in rural communities through specialized training and technical assistance. Whether you are looking to enhance your capabilities or dive into homeowner rehabilitation, the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) has a program for you!


We are thrilled to present two exciting opportunities for your organization to expand its impact in rural communities through specialized training and technical assistance. Whether you are looking to enhance your capabilities or dive into homeowner rehabilitation, the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) has a program for you!

OneRural Capacity Building Program – Apply Now

Kickstart your organization’s growth with HAC’s OneRural Capacity Building Program. This initiative is specifically designed for nonprofit organizations and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) eager to advance their mission.

Why Participate?

  • Tailored Assistance: Benefit from customized technical support.
  • Exclusive Resources: Access a wealth of training materials and informational guides.
  • Scholarship Opportunities: Enjoy reimbursable scholarships for HAC-sponsored training events.

Act quickly! Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis to ensure timely support for your projects. Apply Now!


Apply for OneRural TA

Empowering Organizations for Successful Homeowner Rehabilitation – Join Our Learning Cohort

Strengthen your team with our targeted learning series, aimed at nonprofits undertaking homeowner rehabilitation efforts. Supported by HUD’s Rural Capacity Building Program, this cohort will guide you through every step of the rehabilitation process.

Program Features:

  • End-to-End Training: From strategic marketing to project completion.
  • Skill Building: Enhance technical capabilities and strategic approaches tailored to rural, low-income homeowners.
  • Focus Areas: Improve health and safety, increase energy efficiency, and preserve existing housing stock.

Ready to make a greater impact? This is your chance to transform your community one home at a time. Apply now for the cohort!


Apply for the Homeowner Rehab Cohort

Let’s Build Stronger Communities Together

Don’t miss these opportunities to elevate your organization’s influence and capacity. For more information and to submit your applications, click the links above.

Request for Applications: Empowering Organizations for Successful Homeowner Rehabilitation

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Join the Housing Assistance Council’s Empowering Organizations for Successful Homeowner Rehabilitation learning cohort, specifically designed for organizations embarking on or expanding their homeowner rehabilitation activities. This series, sponsored by HUD’s Rural Capacity Building Program, focuses on strengthening the abilities of nonprofit groups to provide essential rehabilitation services to low-income rural homeowners.

Participants will engage in targeted training sessions that cover every aspect of the homeowner rehabilitation process—from crafting effective marketing strategies to applying the final touches on a project. This curriculum is tailored to equip your team with the necessary technical skills for homeowner rehabilitation, while also deepening their understanding of tailored strategies to meet the unique needs of rural, low-income homeowners. Emphasizing the removal of health and safety risks, enhancing energy efficiency, and preserving existing homes, this program ensures your organization is well-prepared to make a significant impact in your community.

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted by May 15, 2024, using the form provided. Spaces are limited, and selections will be made based on each applicant’s potential impact and alignment with program goals.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Be located in, or provide services to, a non-urbanized area or rural community.
  • Represent a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or a local municipality.
  • Be eligible to participate in HUD’s Rural Capacity Building Program.
  • Commit to attending all scheduled training sessions.

Additional Documentation

Applicants meeting the initial criteria will need to submit further documentation to confirm eligibility.

Training Dates and Locations

  • Homeowner Rehabilitation Essentials: Laying the Groundwork for Team Success
    Nashville, TN | June 25-27, 2024
    Tentative
  • Effective Selection and Intake for Homeowner Rehabilitation Projects
    Virtual | July 17, 2024
    Tentative
  • Comprehensive Construction Management: From Inspections to Contractor Oversight in Homeowner Rehab
    Syracuse, NY | August 6-8, 2024
    Tentative
  • Finance Your Homeowner Rehabilitation Program: Leveraging HOME, CDBG, and USDA RD
    Chicago, IL | October 22-24, 2024
    Tentative
  • Blueprints for Success: Best Practices for Growing Your Homeowner Rehabilitation Program
    Visalia, CA | December 3-5, 2024
    Tentative

Financial Support and Compliance Policy

To support participation, eligible individuals can receive a travel scholarship for in-person workshop events. Each eligible participant can receive up to $2,000 per training session to assist with travel and training expenses. Organizations outside the contiguous U.S. may receive an increased allowance of $2,500 per session.

Additional Benefits of Participation:

  • Expert Guidance: Receive hands-on training from experienced professionals in the housing sector.
  • Connect with other professionals, share insights, and build networks.
  • Practical Tools: Gain access to comprehensive resources that prepare you to manage projects from inception to completion.
  • Tailored Learning: Participate in sessions that align with your specific role, ensuring relevance and practical applicability.
  • Community Impact: Empower your organization with the skills to significantly improve housing conditions for underserved populations.

Attendance Requirement:

Consistent participation is essential. Failure to attend all required sessions will lead to forfeiture of the scholarship for future trainings. This policy ensures that participants fully benefit from the program.

We invite you to apply to this transformative journey with the “Empowering Organizations for Successful Homeowner Rehabilitation” program. By participating you can help create inclusive communities and make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families in need of safe, healthy, and quality housing. Together, let’s enhance homes and communities for a brighter future.

If you have any questions about this project or the application process, please send an email to apply@ruralhome.org with Homeowner Rehab Cohort in the subject.

HAC Announces New Center for Rural Multifamily Housing Preservation

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Contact: Kristin Blum
kristin@ruralhome.org
(202) 842-8600

Washington, DC, March 6, 2024 – The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) is announcing the creation of the Center for Rural Multifamily Housing Preservation, a cross-disciplinary initiative to preserve rural rental housing, particularly properties financed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Section 515” program.  The Center will provide technical assistance and expertise to preserve the long-term affordability of this critical housing stock. HAC’s Kristin Blum, a recognized expert in the affordable housing industry, has been tapped to lead the initiative.

“The time to act is now,” according to HAC CEO David Lipsetz. “The cost of housing is at a historic high across the United States. Workers, seniors, young people, and families are all feeling the pinch. As the nation’s rural housing intermediary, HAC must do its part to help small towns keep great quality housing and build to meet the demands of the modern economy. The Center will do just that.”

The Center for Rural Multifamily Housing Preservation will promote what works, create solutions where needed, and advance the role of housing organizations in rural communities. It will draw on HAC’s decades of success working with communities to preserve existing affordable rental housing and build more where it is needed. “The Center will bring together HAC’s unique combination of resources – lending, research, policy and direct technical assistance – to both preserve individual properties and redefine the preservation process,” Kristin Blum points out.

Rental homes financed by USDA are an important source of affordable rental housing that can be found in 87 percent of all U.S. counties. The Department’s Section 515 program alone produced 550,000 affordable apartments in rural communities. Unfortunately, the program has not produced new units in over a decade and has lost more than 150,000 of its original units to reach its current size of less than 390,000 units, according to the recent FY2023 Multifamily Housing Occupancy Report. In many rural communities, these apartments are the only affordable rental housing available. Two thirds of those families and individuals in Section 515 properties are seniors or individuals with disabilities, and the average income of tenants is less than $16,000.

In the face of this escalating crisis, existing preservation efforts have suffered from a lack of adequate public and private funding and a disproportionate focus on unique transactions. A cohesive, broad preservation strategy is needed to effectively address this crisis before it reaches its peak in the next several years. Through the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill, Congress has granted USDA the authority to pilot a new proposal to decouple Section 515 mortgages and Section 521 rental assistance – an opportunity that will require substantial stakeholder engagement and capacity-building to be successful.

“These apartments are home to families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities who could otherwise face homelessness,” Lipsetz said. “It’s time for the country – including the federal government and philanthropy – to invest some real muscle in preserving these vital homes before they are lost forever.”

“I can think of nobody better than Kristin to lead this critical initiative,” continued Lipsetz, “She has done remarkable work as a senior member of HAC’s Lending team and brings a wealth of prior experience building the capacity of the nonprofit housing sector.” With support from the USDA and Fannie Mae, the Center for Rural Multifamily Housing Preservation will bring together all of HAC’s expertise across the fields of lending, technical assistance, federal policy, and research in pursuit of transformational solutions to preserve this critical stock of affordable rural rental housing.

For more information, contact: crmhp@ruralhome.org

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.

Explore some of HAC’s past work on Section 515 preservation:

HAC’s 2024 Rural Housing Policy Priorities

HAC’s 2023 Senate Banking Committee Testimony on Section 515 Preservation

HAC’s 2022 Annual Report

HAC’s 2022 Rural Research Brief on Section 515 Preservation

HAC’s 2018 “Platform for Preservation” Report on Section 515 Preservation

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HAC is Hiring Housing Specialists (Community Builder)

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The Community Builder plays a crucial role in advancing HAC’s mission, engaging in a range of responsibilities and special projects that focus on place, people, and community-based strategies. With a primary emphasis on developing and sustaining the capacity to improve housing and communities in rural areas, the Community Builder provides direct technical assistance, coaching, and training to nonprofit organizations, local and regional government agencies, and others. This role is key in facilitating affordable housing and community and economic development opportunities through state and federal programs.

HAC is seeking to hire six (6) Community Builders, each bringing expertise in one or more of the following areas: Financial Management and Accountability, Real Estate Finance, Construction Management, Housing on Native American Lands, Community and Public Facilities, Homeless Prevention and Assistance, and Homeowner Rehabilitation.

This position is open to candidates located anywhere in the contiguous United States, within a two-hour drive of a major airport, enabling efficient travel as needed.

Read the position description and application instructions.

HAC Loan Fund Impact Report for FY 2023

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HAC is proud to present our 2023 Loan Fund Impact Report. In fiscal year 2023 (October 2022-September 2023), our Loan Fund provided $31.4 million in financing through 34 loans—including 13 (37%) made to minority-led borrowers—to build, rehabilitate, or preserve 900 affordable homes.

2023 Loan Fund Impact Report

Affordable Housing for Rural Veterans Initiative
Housing Assistance Council

HAC Seeks Proposals for its 2024 Affordable Housing for Rural Veterans (AHRV) Initiative

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HAC’s Affordable Housing for Rural Veterans (AHRV) Initiative supports local nonprofit housing development organizations that meet or help meet the affordable housing needs of veterans with low incomes in rural places. Grants typically range up to $30,000 per organization and must support bricks-and-mortar projects that assist low-income, elderly and/or disabled veterans with critical home repair, accessibility modifications, support homeless veterans, help veterans become homeowners, and/or secure affordable rental housing.

HAC’s AHRV Initiative is funded through the generous support of The Home Depot Foundation. Applications are due by 4:00PM (EST) on or before Monday, January 22, 2024. For more information, contact HAC staff, ahrv@ruralhome.org. No phone calls please. Program staff will be available to answer questions during the Grant Funding Opportunity HAC 2024 AHRV RFP Overview webinar on January 10, 2024, at 2PM (ET).

Download the Application Package: Application (WORD) | Application Guidelines | Webinar Presentation

Download Application (WORD) Application Guidelines Webinar Presentation
HAC Loan Office Alison Duncan (center) breaks ground for Carnation Village.
Photo by Adam Robison, the Daily Journal.
Photo by Adam Robison, the Daily Journal.

Old Historic Carnation, LP: A HAC Success Story

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HAC’s patience and flexibility help convert a vacant Carnation milk plant into homes for seniors in Tupelo, MS

Rendering of carnation plant developmentThe Carnation Milk plant in Tupelo, Mississippi, has sat vacant since 1972. In about a year, that will change when 33 low-income senior households move into new affordable homes in this old factory. This May, Old Historic Carnation, LP broke ground on Carnation Village, a $16.8 million adaptive reuse project to convert the abandoned factory into 33 units of affordable senior housing. These units are sorely needed in Tupelo, a high-poverty community which needs over 1,500 additional senior affordable housing units. With a $325,000 loan from The Housing Assistance Council (HAC)—and two sixth-month extensions to that loan—the developer successfully navigated a predevelopment process mired in construction cost increases and unexpected funding gaps. Here’s how:

Photo of vacant Carnation plantThe original project scope called for 50 units: 25 from an adaptive re-use of the plant itself and another 25 in a second building to be constructed next door. When our loan closed in July 2021, the project budget totaled about $12.7 million, to be funded by Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, and a $1.6 million investment. Our financing covered the predevelopment costs of the work required to get to construction financing closing including environmental testing, historic preservation approvals, tax credit application and reservation fees, a market study, and an appraisal.

In the fall of 2021, increases in construction costs left Old Historic Carnation with a $3.8 million funding gap. By the time they applied for and received more tax credits from the Mississippi Housing Corporation (MHC), added a $1 million mortgage, received approval from the National Park Service, and updated the construction bids, costs had increased by a further $4.5 million. In the space of less than a year, the construction cost for the project nearly doubled.

Because HAC can be a patient lender, we extended our loan by six months to give the developer time to solve the problem. Old Historic Carnation applied for and received another tax credit increase from the state, reduced costs with value engineering measures, and increased the deferred developer fee by almost $2 million.

Construction costs increased again in the summer of 2022, causing the investor to back out of the project. The developer went back to the drawing board once again and reduced the project’s scope to 33 units, all affordable to households making less than 80% of the area median income (AMI). Plus, 26 would also be affordable to households under 60% AMI. With an additional loan extension from HAC, Old Historic Carnation secured approval of the new scope by MHC, obtained the necessary building permits, and have now begun demolition.

HAC Loan Office Alison Duncan (center) breaks ground for Carnation Village.

HAC Loan Office Alison Duncan (center) breaks ground for Carnation Village. Photo by Adam Robison, the Daily Journal.

On March 21st, Old Historic Carnation, LP closed on construction financing and repaid our predevelopment loan in full. And on May 31st, the project broke ground. Old Historic Carnation’s persistence and creativity made this project a success. But it was HAC’s flexibility that supported them as they went through the process of raising additional funds three times to make the project work. The Carnation Village project showcases how the ingenuity of a local housing developer, solid working relationships with private, state and federal funders, and flexible and patient HAC financing all add up to bring difficult and important projects to fruition. Fifty-one years ago, Carnation Milk closed its factory in Tupelo, Mississippi. Soon, thirty-three low-income, senior households will be able to call it home.

HAC is proud to be a critical part of this project and we look forward to watching it develop.

HAC in the News

HAC receives $6,325,000 from HUD to invest in rural communities and rural housing

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Contact: Dan Stern, dan@ruralhome.org
(202) 516-6882

Washington, DC, May 15, 2023 – The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) has been awarded a total of $6,325,000 funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to invest in the capacity of rural communities and help rural families achieve homeownership. HAC was awarded $4,000,000 from the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) and $2,325,000 in Rural Capacity Building (RCB) funding. The funds represent a portion of HUD’s $22 million investment into rural communities through the SHOP and RCB programs.

The funding was announced in conjunction with an event in Russellville, AR at which HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman toured several homes that are being built using funds from HAC’s SHOP program with local partner Universal Housing Development Corporation.

HUD’s official press release announcing the award included the following statement from Secretary Marcia L. Fudge “Today, we are investing in homeownership and expanding access to affordable housing to rural communities. The SHOP program provides a unique pathway for first-time homeowners and underserved groups to buy a home. At HUD, we care about rural America and these capacity building grants are further evidence of our commitment.”

SHOP funding will allow rural homebuyers to invest their sweat equity and hard work towards the construction of their own homes in rural communities. HAC will use its RCB funding to assist a group of eligible rural organizations to undertake affordable housing and community development activities in disadvantaged and other target communities around the country.

“HAC’s decades long partnership with HUD has provided affordable homes for people and increased capacity for organizations in rural communities across the United States,” said David Lipsetz, President & CEO of the Housing Assistance Council. “These awards will improve the lives of countless rural people and highlight HUD’s commitment to rural America!”

About the SHOP Program

The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) awards grant funds to eligible national and regional nonprofit organizations and consortia. Funds must be used for eligible expenses to develop decent, safe, and sanitary non-luxury housing for low-income persons and families who otherwise would not become homeowners. Examples are for purchasing home sites and developing or improving the infrastructure needed to set the stage for sweat equity and volunteer-based homeownership programs for low-income persons and families. Homebuyers must be willing to contribute significant amounts of their own sweat equity toward the construction or rehabilitation of their homes.

About the RCB Program

The Rural Capacity Building (RCB) program enhances the capacity and ability of rural housing development organizations, Community Development Corporations (CDCs), Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), local governments, and Indian tribes to carry out affordable housing and community development activities in rural areas for the benefit of low- and moderate-income families and persons. The Rural Capacity Building program achieves this by funding national organizations with expertise in rural housing and rural community development who work directly to build the capacity of eligible beneficiaries.

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.

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HAC’S RURAL HOUSING POLICY PRIORITIES

Request for Applications – OneRural Capacity Building Program

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The Housing Assistance Council is soliciting nonprofit organizations, units of local government, and tribal entities interested in participating in its OneRural Capacity Building Program scheduled to begin in early 2024.

Participants selected to participate in HAC’s OneRural Capacity Building Program will receive individualized technical assistance, access to training and informational resources, and reimbursable scholarships to participate in HAC sponsored training.

Eligible entities must:

  • Have their office located in a rural community whose:
    • Population is less than 10,000 per the 2010 Census, and
    • Area Median Income (AMI) is at or below 70% of (AMI).
  • Have at least one (1) staff person.
  • Demonstrate their interest in increasing organizational capacity in the Initial Application.
  • Be a recognized nonprofit organization, public body, or tribal entity that has one (1) of the following:
    • Nonprofit designation from either the IRS or a tribal government, or
    • Evidence of being a public body, or
    • Federally recognized Tribal status.
  • Be in good standing with their State’s Secretary of State (for nonprofit organizations).

Preference will be given to Federally designated disaster communities and entities that serve communities determined to be:

  • Socially vulnerable,
  • Economically at-risk, or
  • Distressed energy (fossil fuel dependent) communities.

Interested entities must:

  • Step 1 – Complete the Initial Application by Friday, May 26, 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so please do not delay completing the Initial Application.
  • Step 2 – Organizations with a demonstrated need for technical assistance and that meet the eligibility requirements outlined above will be contacted to submit proof of eligibility, required documentation, and additional organizational information by June 7, 2023.

These deadlines are firm and cannot be extended.

Please note that selection in this round of the OneRural Capacity Building Program is based on eligibility and demonstrated need. Participation cannot be guaranteed.

 

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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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