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!