Housing Assistance Council

Non-HAC: 2016 Beyond Housing Conference
2016-01-13 09:00 - 2016-01-15 17:00 UTC | Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, 1605 Broadway, New York, NY, 10019, United States
Save the date for ICPH’s 4th Biennial Beyond Housing Conference: January 13-15, 2016.
Join fellow practitioners, policymakers, and service providers to share new and effective programs, solutions, and policies aimed at reducing poverty and homelessness among children and families in the United States.

Non-HAC: Webinar - Rural America at a Glance, 2015 Edition
2016-01-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
ERS Economist Lorin Kusmin will discuss the most recent indicators of social and economic conditions in rural areas, focusing on the U.S. rural economy, including employment, population, poverty, and educational attainment in a webinar on January 13.

What does the 2017 Budget Mean for Rural Housing?
2016-02-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
Materials Posted
Welcome | Power Point Presentation | Webinar Recording
The Administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2017 was released on February 9, 2016. What will it mean for rural housing programs? Join the Housing Assistance Council for a brief presentation and Q&A session.

Duty to Serve and What it Means for Rural America
2016-02-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
Materials Posted:
Introduction | Power Point Presentation | Webinar Recording
The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) is convening an interactive e-learning to assist housing providers and policymakers better understand the Duty to Serve Rule, and what it may mean for Rural America. The session is also intended to help inform comments to the Duty to Serve Rule.

Community Reinvestment Act in Rural America
2016-02-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
Materials Posted
Introduction | Power Point Presentation | Recording
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), enacted in 1977, requires federally insured depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of their entire service area, particularly those low- and moderate income, economically distressed, and geographically isolated areas, in a manner that is consistent with safe and sound operation. The CRA, originally created as a response to discriminatory lending practices which primarily affected urban areas, is rarely discussed from a rural perspective despite the fact that the CRA evaluates all depository institutions.

Section 502 Packaging Training for Nonprofit Developers
2016-03-08 08:30 - 2016-03-10 16:00 | Embassy Suites North Charleston – Airport/Hotel & Convention, 5055 International Boulevard, North Charleston, SC, 29418, United States
Mark your calendar and plan to join the Housing Assistance Council on March 8-10, 2016 in Charleston, SC for the Section 502 Packaging Training for Nonprofit Developers!

Advanced Financial Management for Rural Nonprofits
2016-03-08 09:00 - 2016-03-09 16:00 | Embassy Suites North Charleston – Airport/Hotel & Convention, 5055 International Boulevard, North Charleston, SC, 29418, United States
Join the Housing Assistance Council for this two-day training in North Charleston, SC.

Section 502 Packaging Training for Nonprofit Housing Developers
2016-03-08 09:00 - 2016-03-10 16:00 | Embassy Suites North Charleston – Airport/Hotel & Convention, 5055 International Boulevard, North Charleston, SC, 29418, United States
This three-day advanced course covers USDA Rural Development’s Section 502 Direct Loan Program and provides invaluable insight as to how this homeownership financing resource can be utilized. Learn how to assist potential borrowers and work in partnership with RD staff, as well as other nonprofit organizations and regional intermediaries to deliver successful Section 502 loan packages.

CRA Investments in Rural Communities: Successful Uses
2016-03-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
Materials Posted
Introduction | Presentation | Recording | Report
This webinar, the second in a series of three, will explore two successful rural development projects that earned CRA credit for the lenders involved. The discussion will include parties involved with a farmworker housing and a preschool project. In each case, the participants will briefly describe the CRA’s role in their project. The participants will also, in a discussion panel format, note challenges related to the CRA in rural communities and how these challenges can potentially be addressed to develop a successful project.

Section 502 Overview and Updates
2016-03-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
Materials Posted
Welcome | Power Point | Recording | USDA Listserv
This webinar provides an in depth overview of USDA Rural Development’s Section 502 Single-Family housing direct and guaranteed loan program. Discussions will cover the program purpose, eligibility, 502 requirements, loan terms and regulations. Participants will also hear and learn about how conditional commitments can be the basis for developing a single unit or multiple units more efficiently.

Section 504 Overview and Updates
2016-04-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
Materials Posted
Welcome | Presentation | Recording
Please join us for the USDA RD Section 504 Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Loans and Grants Program Overview and Updates webinar on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time! This webinar provides an in depth overview of USDA Rural Development’s Section 504 Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Loans and Grants program. Discussion will include the purpose, eligibility, 504 requirements, loan terms as well as program regulations.

CRA in Rural America Part III: Investments in Rural Communities
2016-04-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
Materials Posted
Welcome | Power Point | Recording | FFIEC Mapping Tool
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), enacted in 1977, requires federally insured depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of their entire service area, particularly those low- and moderate income, economically distressed, and geographically isolated areas, in a manner that is consistent with safe and sound operation. The CRA, originally created as a response to discriminatory lending practices which primarily affected urban areas, is rarely discussed from a rural perspective despite the fact that the CRA evaluates all depository institutions.
The CRA is implemented by the three federal bank regulators through periodic lender examinations of all Federally insured depository institutions. These CRA examinations vary in occurrence and detail based on lender asset size with small lenders being evaluated less frequently (usually, once every five years) and less thoroughly (one test area instead of the three applied to large banks). Upon completion of the examination, regulators’ award banks ratings based on their compliance with the CRA. Regulators can then use a poor rating to deny lender applications for such things as opening a new office or acquiring another bank.
IA relatively small percentage of lenders, less than 10 percent, consistently earn the highest, “outstanding” ratings. This lenders regularly exceed federal requirements in meeting the credit needs of their services area. These lenders can then serve as examples of how a bank can ensure credit to all in a safe and sound manner. How might this type of behavior be achieved in other lenders?
This webinar, the third in a series of three, will explore CRA rated outstanding lenders. The webinar will include an evaluation of lenders that consistently earn CRA outstanding ratings. The presentation will identify consistently rated outstanding lenders, describe their characteristics, and identify key aspects that are related to their outstanding performance. The webinar will include a panel to discuss the CRA and rural communities.

Non-HAC: The Future of Rural Communities: Implications for Housing
2016-05-10 08:30 - 16:00 | Online Meeting, United States
The Future of Rural Communities: Implications for Housing is a policy forum to be held May 10, 2016 at the Federal Reserve Board’s Martin Building in Washington, D.C. Participants in the forum will explore changing demographic and economic trends that are exacerbating existing housing and community development policy misalignments in rural communities, promising models for addressing community needs resulting from collaboration between policymakers and practitioners, and the unanswered research and policy questions that could contribute to developing evidence-based policy uniquely targeted to the needs of rural communities.
The forum will be hosted by the Federal Reserve Board in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, with critical thought leadership and support provided by NeighborWorks America and the Housing Assistance Council.
While the forum is invite-only, the public will be able to live-stream the event and materials presented will be available for download after the event.

Serving America’s Aging Veterans: A Symposium
2016-05-18 08:00 - 12:00 | US Capitol Visitors Center, US Capitol Visitor Center, Washington, 20515, United States
Materials Posted
HAC Presentation | WMCA Presentation | NCHV Presentation | Aging Veterans in the United States

Serving Our Aging Veterans: A SymposiumMay 18, 2016US Capitol Visitor Center, Room SVC 200-201, Washington DC#RuralVeterans
Agenda
8:00 – 8:15 am Breakfast and Gathering8:15 – 8:20 am Introduction –Moises Loza, Housing Assistance Council8:20 – 8:40 am Welcome — Heather Pritchard, The Home Depot Foundation Jim Cummings, JPMorgan Chase
8:40 – 9:00 am Research Briefing on Aging Veterans, Veterans Data Central, and State Data Lance George, Housing Assistance Council
9:00 -10:00 am National Perspectives
9:00 Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN), House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs9:15 Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs9:30 Rep. Corrine Brown (D – FL), Ranking Member, House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs
10:10 – 11:00 am Best Practices in Serving Older VeteransModerator: Tony Hernandez, USDA Rural DevelopmentElder Home Repair – William Crandall, Western Maine Community ActionMultifamily Rental and Services – Jon Sherin, Volunteers of America
11:00 – 12:00 am National Views on Support for Aging and Rural VeteransModerator: Heather Prichard, The Home Depot FoundationBaylee Crone, National Coalition for Homeless VeteransDoug Dickerson, AARPMark Walker, American LegionJoe Wynn, Vietnam Veterans of America
Rural Americans have a strong history of service to the U.S. military. A disproportionate number of veterans come from and return to small towns and rural America. Approximately 5.6 million, or 11.4 percent, of the rural population served in the military, accounting for a quarter of all veterans in 2010. Rural America serves, but this service is then often overlooked. Veterans are also not a homogenous group, nor are their needs. As two wars overseas wind down, more veterans are coming home. At the same time the demographic changes associated with the baby boom generation and the overall greying of America will also impact veterans’ needs in rural areas. Providing critical programs can be particularly challenging in rural America due to vast geographies, limited resources, and less social service infrastructure.
This third annual symposium will provide information on housing, health, and other needs and programs for older veterans. This event will draw attention to this sometimes forgotten group, and showcase model programs that help. A special focus will be on serving rural veterans.
Co-sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, and the Wells Fargo Foundation the conference will also feature a presentation on data and demographic information about veterans. HAC is a national nonprofit that helps rural communities build affordable housing and communities. One of our initiatives is service to rural veterans.
There is no registration fee to attend this symposium. However, advance registration is required. Register online at https://bit.ly/1QJtwkm; For more information on the symposium contact Janice Clark at janice@ruralhome.org or 202-842-8600 or Shonterria Charleston at shonterria@ruralhome.org or 404-892-4824.
Housing Assistance Council is an equal opportunity lender and employer.
To become a stakeholder or for additional information on HAC’s Affordable Housing for Rural Veterans program, please visit our website at www.ruralhome.org.

NON-HAC: Novogradac Affordable Housing Conference
2016-05-26 08:00 - 2016-05-27 11:45 | Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St., San Francisco, CA, 94102, United States
Save the Date for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit: 15 Year Overview Conference presented by Novogradac & Company.

Non-HAC: Permanent Supportive Housing: A Comprehensive Approach to Tribal Housing
2016-06-03 13:00 - 14:30 | Online Meeting, United States
WEBINAR I: June 3, 2016, 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern TimePermanent Supportive Housing: A Comprehensive Approach to Tribal Housing

Marilyn Zimmerman / Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Dede Devine / Native American Connections
Liz Drapa / Corporation for Supportive Housing

Join the webinar at https://cc.readytalk.com/r/z02k9cf59sr5&eom.

VA Housing Resources for Hero’s: An In-depth overview on the VA Home Loan Guaranty benefit
2016-06-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
Materials Posted
Introduction | Presentation | Recording | VA Home Loan Resources | VA Loan Limits
If you are not a Veteran or mortgage lender, you may not be aware of all the great features of VA loans, or the specific assistance VA can provide to Veteran borrowers who are having trouble making their mortgage payments. Join the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) for the “Housing Resources for Hero’s: An in-depth overview and discussion on the VA Home Loan Guaranty benefit.
This webinar, the first in the “2016 Veterans Resources Summer Series”, will provide general information on the VA Home Loan Guaranty benefit, program and loan eligibility, and the actions Veterans can take to obtain a VA-guaranteed home loan. The webinar will also feature a panel discuss on the assistance that may be available to Veterans who are having trouble making their monthly mortgage payments. Participants will have ample opportunity following presentations to ask questions of the subject matter experts.
The VA home loan program was part of the original GI Bill of Rights in 1944, and is credited with helping create suburban America and the American middle-class. Since 1944, VA has guaranteed over 22 Million home loans for over 16 Million Veterans and their families. Roughly 80-percent of Veterans are homeowners, and VA loans comprise about 10-percent of new loans in the current market. While many VA loans are made in urban or suburban areas, a sizeable portion — over 15 percent — are made to Veterans living in rural areas.
VA loans are made by private-sector mortgage companies or banks– VA provides a guaranty backing on the loan that essentially takes the place of a down payment. VA loans are the only major loan product in the market that does not require a down payment. VA loans may be used to purchase a home, refinance an existing loan, build a home, or make energy efficient improvements. Interest rates on VA loans are generally lower than rates for other mortgage types, and VA limits the amount of fees and charges a borrower can be charged as part of the transaction. Flexible underwriting criteria (such as no minimum FICO requirement) may make qualifying for a VA loan easier than for another type of loan. VA loans are also ‘reusable’—a Veteran may use the benefit multiple times throughout his or her life. In addition to maximizing Veterans’ opportunities to obtain home loans, VA is committed to ensuring all defaulted VA borrowers receive every opportunity to avoid foreclosure.

Non-HAC: Economic Mobility in Rural America: A discussion of education, access, and opportunity
2016-06-17 12:00 - 13:30 | Dirksen Senate Office Building, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, 20515, United States
Since the Great Recession, the demographic and economic chasm between rural and urban communities in the United States has grown. Today, rural Americans—about 17 percent of the U.S. population—often face challenges that include lower wages, higher rates of joblessness, and inadequate services and infrastructure necessary to ensure opportunity.
Outcomes for rural college graduates can differ significantly from those of urban students, and the migration of highly educated, working-age Americans to densely populated areas affects rural economic growth. The absence of public transportation and robust social and educational services also is a barrier to economic mobility in these areas. Economic exclusion is heightened by the departure of banks and other financial service providers and an increase in predatory lending.
Support from the federal government, states, nonprofits, and the for-profit sector for entrepreneurship—and to increase educational opportunity, infrastructure, and social and financial services in rural communities—is important to help people move up the economic ladder no matter where they live. Please join the Pew Charitable Trust for a discussion with leading experts on how to ensure that rural Americans are both economically mobile and financially secure.
Moderator
Lance George, Housing Assistance Council
Speakers

John Cromartie, U.S. Department of Agriculture, on a changing rural America
Andrew Koricich, Appalachian State University, on how living in a rural community influences postsecondary choices
Nisha Patel, U.S. Partnership on Mobility from Poverty, the Urban Institute, on access to services in rural areas
Yvonne Sparks, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, on access to financial institutions and services and pathways to economic growth

Lunch will be provided.
The Pew Charitable Trusts makes every effort to comply with federal, state, and local government ethics rules, including when hosting events. Please make sure that your participation is consistent with applicable ethics rules.

Non-HAC: The State of the Nation's Housing 2016
2016-06-22 12:30 - 13:30 | Online Meeting, United States
The State of the Nation’s Housing 2016 report at will be released on June 22, 12:30 – 1:30 pm. The event will be streamed live a thttps://jchs.harvard.edu.
Panelists for this event include:
Diana Olick , Reporter, CNBC (moderator)Chris Herbert, Managing Director, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies Stuart Miller, CEO, Lennar CorporationMayor Setti Warren, City of Newton, MassachusettsDiane Yentel, President and CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition

Section 502 Packaging Training for Nonprofit Developers
2016-06-28 09:00 - 2016-06-30 16:00 | Hilton Burlington, 60 Battery Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
This three-day advanced course covers USDA Rural Development’s Section 502 Direct Loan Program and provides invaluable insight as to how this homeownership financing resource can be utilized. Learn how to assist potential borrowers and work in partnership with RD staff, as well as other nonprofit organizations and regional intermediaries to deliver successful Section 502 loan packages.
This course is intended for and specifically framed for those experienced in utilizing Section 502 and/or other affordable housing mortgage products. Participants will learn regulations and practical applications of the loan program, while developing a strong understanding of 502 direct underwriting and packaging standards. Following the course, participants are encouraged to take the online certification exam.
Following the course, participants are encouraged to take the online certification exam.
The registration fee for this event is $500.
Sponsored By U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development (USDA-RD)
The Department of Agriculture provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues.

VA Housing Resources for Heroes Part II: An Overview on the VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program
2016-07-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
Materials Posted
Welcome | Presentation | Recording | Application
If you are not a Veteran or Veteran service provider, you may not be aware of all the great features of VA loans, or the specific assistance VA can provide to Veterans. Join the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) for the “Housing Resources for Heroes Part II: Overview on the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant program.
This webinar, the second in the “2016 Veterans Resources Summer Series”, will provide general information of the SAH grant program, eligibility, uses along with the necessary actions Veterans need take to obtain a SAH grant. The webinar will also feature a discuss on the specific options of assistance available to Veterans with service-connected disabilities to assist with building, remodeling or purchasing an adapted home. Participants will have ample opportunity following presentations to ask questions of the subject matter experts.
The SAH grant is designed to assist Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities live independently in a barrier-free environment by providing help constructing or modifying a home to meet their adaptive needs. Specifically, SAH grants can be used in one of the following ways:

Construct a specially adapted home on land to be acquired;
Build a home on land already owned if it is suitable for specially adapted housing;
Remodel an existing home if it can be made suitable for specially adapted housing; or
Apply the grant against the unpaid principal mortgage balance of an adapted home already acquired without the assistance of a VA grant

Non-HAC: The State of Rural Housing in Virginia: A Rural Network Forum in Martinsville, VA
2016-07-14 08:30 - 11:00 | New College Foundation, 191 Fayette Street, Martinsville, VA, 24112, United States
Rural Virginia is changing and with that, our rural affordable housing needs are also in transition. Housing Virginia has been assessing demographic and housing trends and has surveyed local rural providers around the state to hear their most pressing needs and their perceptions of the changes happening in their communities.
At this forum, Housing Virginia will present preliminary findings and facilitate a discussion to develop an action plan that will address rural housing/service providers’ gaps and needs as well as recommend policy alternatives. This plan will be released at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference in Roanoke this November.
Registration is free. Register Now: https://tinyurl.com/HV-Martinsville

Non-HAC: The State of Rural Housing in Virginia: A Rural Network Forum in Abingdon, VA
2016-07-15 08:30 - 11:00 | Southwest Virginia Association of REALTORS Meeting Center, 128 Reedy Creek Road, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
Rural Virginia is changing and with that, our rural affordable housing needs are also in transition. Housing Virginia has been assessing demographic and housing trends and has surveyed local rural providers around the state to hear their most pressing needs and their perceptions of the changes happening in their communities.
At this forum, Housing Virginia will present preliminary findings and facilitate a discussion to develop an action plan that will address rural housing/service providers’ gaps and needs as well as recommend policy alternatives. This plan will be released at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference in Roanoke this November.
Registration is FREE! Register Now: https://tinyurl.com/HV-Abingdon

Non-HAC: The State of Rural Housing in Virginia: A Rural Network Forum in Warrenton, VA
2016-07-28 08:30 - 11:00 | Fauquier Hospital – Sycamore Room B, 500 Hospital Drive, Warrenton, VA, 20186, United States
Rural Virginia is changing and with that, our rural affordable housing needs are also in transition. Housing Virginia has been assessing demographic and housing trends and has surveyed local rural providers around the state to hear their most pressing needs and their perceptions of the changes happening in their communities.
At this forum, Housing Virginia will present preliminary findings and facilitate a discussion to develop an action plan that will address rural housing/service providers’ gaps and needs as well as recommend policy alternatives. This plan will be released at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference in Roanoke this November.
Registration is FREE!
Register Now: https://tinyurl.com/HV-Warrenton

VA Housing Resources for Heroes Part III: Overview on VA REO Property Preservation and Maintenance and Access Opportunities for Nonprofits
2016-08-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
Materials Posted
Presentation | Recording | Handbook
Join the Housing Assistance Council on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 for VA Housing Resources for Heroes Part III: Overview on VA REO Property Preservation and Maintenance and Access Opportunities for Nonprofits.

Non-HAC: The State of Rural Housing in Virginia: A Rural Network Forum in the Middle Peninsula of Virginia
2016-08-11 08:30 - 11:00 | Chesapeake Bay & Rivers Association of REALTORS, 10880 General Puller Highway, Suite E, Hartfield, VA, 23071, United States
Rural Virginia is changing and with that, our rural affordable housing needs are also in transition. Housing Virginia has been assessing demographic and housing trends and has surveyed local rural providers around the state to hear their most pressing needs and their perceptions of the changes happening in their communities.
At this forum, Housing Virginia will present preliminary findings and facilitate a discussion to develop an action plan that will address rural housing/service providers’ gaps and needs as well as recommend policy alternatives. This plan will be released at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference in Roanoke this November.
Registration is FREE!
Register Now: https://tinyurl.com/HV-MiddlePen

Section 502 Packaging Training for Nonprofit Developers
2016-09-14 08:00 - 2016-09-16 16:00 | Quality Inn – 1st Floor Conference Room, 70 East First Street, Oswego, NY, 131126, United States
This three-day advanced course covers USDA Rural Development’s Section 502 Direct Loan Program and provides invaluable insight as to how this homeownership financing resource can be utilized. Learn how to assist potential borrowers and work in partnership with RD staff, as well as other nonprofit organizations and regional intermediaries to deliver successful Section 502 loan packages.
This course is intended for and specifically framed for those experienced in utilizing Section 502 and/or other affordable housing mortgage products. Participants will learn regulations and practical applications of the loan program, while developing a strong understanding of 502 direct underwriting and packaging standards. Following the course, participants are encouraged to take the online certification exam.
Following the course, participants are encouraged to take the online certification exam.
The registration fee for this event is $500.
Sponsored By U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development (USDA-RD)
The Department of Agriculture provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues.
Follow the discussion online #rural502.

VA Housing Resources for Heroes Part IV
2016-09-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Meeting, United States
