HAC News: October 24, 2024

OPPORTUNITIES

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund distribution begins its second stage

Several months ago the Environmental Protection Agency announced recipients of funding from the three parts of its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA), and Solar for All. The intermediaries that received awards from EPA are now beginning to distribute funds to the next tier of recipients. Below, HAC summarizes information about the current status of those funding competitions for NCIF and CCIA. There are also 60 Solar for All funding recipients, including 49 state-level entities, six Tribes or Tribal consortiums, and five multistate entities.

Nat’l Clean Investment Fund awardees	Availability
Climate United Fund	No currently open competitive RFPs.
Coalition for Green Capital	No currently open competitive RFPs. Accepting project information submissions.
Power Forward Communities	Expects to launch programming in early 2025. RFPs currently open for single audit and tax services provider (deadline Nov. 13) and for website redesign and development (deadline Nov. 20).
Clean Communities Investment Accelerator awardees
Appalachian Community Capital/Green Bank for Rural America	ACC members and invited lenders serving the states hardest hit by Hurricane Helene can apply beginning Oct. 28. Rural community lenders nationwide can apply beginning Dec. 4.
Inclusiv	For credit unions. Pre-qualification form will open Nov. 19. Full grant application will open in early 2025.
Justice Climate Fund	Details not posted.
Native CDFI Network	Funds will be available first to 63 previously committed lenders. Decision on opening to others will be made later.
Opportunity Finance Network	Accepting applications from OFN members for two pilot programs: funding for capitalization or technical assistance for nonprofit financial institutions and CDFIs, and training for “nascent climate lenders.” Deadline Nov. 7. Multiple later funding rounds expected.

States creating home energy rebate programs

Federally funded Home Energy Rebate Programs are being developed in almost all states. They can include rebates for appliances, home electrification, and more. The U.S. Department of Energy’s website reports on progress in each state except South Dakota, which has opted not to participate.

Mortgage maturity dates corrected for preservation funding

A correction revises some dates in USDA’s recent funding notice for the Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization program and the Section 515 program. It seemed to include some provisions for properties with mortgages expiring before January 1, 2028 and others for mortgages expiring before January 1, 2027. The corrections change all the dates to 2028. The application deadline is still December 26, 2024.

Training offered for substance use disorder partnership building

Applications are due December 16 for a Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions cohort sponsored by a group of federal agencies, which will provide training for rural practitioners and cross-sector teams seeking to adopt and reimagine methods for addressing substance use disorders in their communities. After the one-year planning period, those who have built cross-sector partnerships can apply for implementation grants of up to $100,000 to launch projects.

Support available for innovative endeavors by those with lived experience of homelessness

People with lived experience of homelessness are eligible for support from the Susan G. Baker and Elizabeth Boyle Innovation Fund to help them pursue innovative professional and creative endeavors. The fund was established by the National Alliance to End Homelessness and is named for two of its co-founders. Applications are due December 30.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

HUD publishes Buy America guidance for Tribes

HUD’s waiver of Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements for Tribal recipients expired on September 30, so the law applies to funds obligated to Tribal recipients on or after October 1. HUD issued PIH Notice 2024-35 to provide guidance on BABA’s implementation by Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities, Tribal entities, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The notice also includes sample language that can be used in contracts, subrecipient agreements, and other agreements. Implicitly acknowledging that BABA’s applicability to housing – for Tribal recipients and others – still has not been clarified, the notice says HUD will issue additional guidance and will provide training and updates. It lists Tribal programs that are exempt from BABA and others that “may” be subject to the law.

USDA RD posts first specific Buy America waiver request

Since 2022, USDA Rural Development has obtained some general waivers of Build America, Buy America requirements, and the agency recently posted its first waiver request for a specific project. USDA-funded work at McKenzie Memorial Hospital in Sandusky, MI includes a type of tile flooring not manufactured in the U.S. Comments are due October 30.

Farm labor housing regulation change adopted

USDA has adopted a regulatory provision proposed in September 2023, specifying grant agreement terms and periods of performance for the Section 514/516 Off-Farm Labor Housing program.

EVENTS

HUD sets webinars on new energy code requirements

HUD’s Energy Code Webinar Series in November and December will cover the requirements of the minimum energy efficiency standards adopted in April for some HUD and USDA programs. The changes will begin taking effect in November and will be phased in throughout 2025 and 2026. The upcoming webinars will address the updates, their overall requirements, compliance pathways, and ways to incorporate the required standards into projects and processes.

Heirs’ property webinar planned

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition will offer a webinar November 7 on Preserving Homeownership and Wealth Creation by Addressing Heirs’ Property and Tangled Titles. HAC researchers and Center for New York City Neighborhoods staff will present on heirs’ property in urban and rural areas, describing the risks these properties pose for long-term homeownership and the limits they place on family wealth building.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

HUD launches website for voucher holders and applicants

A new website designed specifically for HUD voucher holders and households that may need voucher assistance provides guidance for getting started with the voucher program, unit search tips, and a reminder of participant rights and responsibilities. HUD expects to update the site with videos and additional resources over the next few months.

Homeless elders’ needs reviewed

A recent Government Accountability Office report identifies specific challenges to meeting the housing and health needs of older adults (age 55 and up) experiencing homelessness. For example, in the limited supply of affordable housing it can be even more difficult to find accessibility features such as grab bars. Mobility limitations, functional impairments, and chronic conditions can be challenging to address in shelters. Home health care and personal care may be hard to provide for those transitioning into permanent housing. Additional barriers can be posed by unfair treatment or cultural insensitivity for older adults belonging to certain racial, ethnic, or other groups. GAO’s report, Homelessness: Actions to Help Better Address Older Adults’ Housing and Health Needs, describes efforts made to address the issues in selected urban, suburban, and rural areas.

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).

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Jennifer Emerling / There Is More Work To Be Done