FY11 SPENDING CONTINUES UNTIL MARCH 18. President Obama is expected to sign H.J. Res. 44, approved by the House on March 1 and by the Senate on March 2. This latest in a series of Continuing Resolutions will extend most FY11 spending at FY10 levels through March 18. It provides no funding for earmarks and for some programs that were targeted for elimination in the Administration’s budget, including HUD’s Economic Development Initiative and Neighborhood Initiatives. HAC will post updates at https://ruralhome.org.

IDA FUNDING AVAILABLE. The Assets for Independence Program run by the Department of Health and Human Services offers grants to nonprofits, state and local governments, community development credit unions, and CDFIs to provide Individual Development Accounts and supportive services. Deadlines are March 31 and May 25. For details and to register for applicant webinars, visit https://www.IDAresources.org. Contact the AFI Resource Center, HHS, info@IDAresources.org, 1-866-778-6037 (toll free).

USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON DRAFT ACTION PLAN FOR TRIBAL CONSULTATION AND COLLABORATION. The final policy will guide all USDA agencies as they work with tribes. Comments are due March 25. Visit https://www.tinyurl.com/usdatribal. Contact USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations, tribalconsultation@usda.gov, 202-205-2249.

HUD REQUESTS INPUT ON REVIEWING REGULATIONS. Comments are due May 2 regarding HUD’s development of a plan for periodically analyzing significant HUD regulations and identifying specific regulations that may be outdated, ineffective, or excessively burdensome. See Federal Register, 3/2/11 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Camille E. Acevedo, HUD, 202-708-1793.

INTERIM RULE REVISES PHAS. Changes are intended to enhance the efficiency and utility of HUD’s Public Housing Assessment System. Comments are due April 25. See https://www.regulations.govor https://www.hud.gov/offices/reac/. Contact Claudia Yarus, HUD, 202-475-8830.

USDA OFFERS CLAIMS PROCESS FOR HISPANIC AND WOMEN FARMERS AND RANCHERS. Those who believe they were unjustifiably denied farm loan program benefits between 1981 and 2000 because of their ethnic background or gender may file claims with USDA. Call 1-888-508-4429 (toll free) or visit https://farmerclaims.gov.

GAO SAYS DUPLICATION CAN BE REDUCED IN FEDERAL HOMELESSNESS PROGRAMS AND OTHERS. A new Government Accountability Office report identifies 81 areas where federal efforts are duplicated or fragmented, or where costs could be reduced or revenues increased, including homelessness: seven agencies administer over 20 housing or shelter programs, and others fund supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. Past GAO research addressing this overlap included a July 2010 study of rural homelessness (see HAC News, 8/18/10). No other housing programs are mentioned. The report also notes efforts in multiple depart-ments to meet water needs in the U.S.-Mexico border region and to enhance economic development (including HUD and USDA RD programs), and problems with FEMA’s coordination of disaster preparedness grants. Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in Government Programs, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue (GAO-11-318SP) is available free at https://www.gao.gov or at cost from GAO, 1-866-801-7077 (toll free).

USDA MAPS RURAL COUNTY CHARACTERISTICS. An online, interactive Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America maps unemployment, population data, homeownership, and many other characteristics. Specific data are shown by clicks on the map. Visit https://ers.usda.gov/data/ruralatlas/.

HUD LAUNCHES NEW HOME TA WEBSITE, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON CONFERENCE. HOME funding recipients can find information about training and technical assistance resources, including the program’s 20th anniversary conference, May 2-4 in Washington, DC, at https://www.hometa.info/.

EVIDENCE SUMMARIZED ON ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. The Role of Affordable Housing in Creating Jobs and Stimulating Economic Development is free from the Center for Housing Policy, https://www.nhc.org/The-Role-of-Affordable-Housing-in-Creating-Jobs-and-Fostering-Economic-Growth.html.

HAC UPDATES FORECLOSURE RESEARCH. New Neighborhood Stabilization Program data provide information about delinquency and foreclosure rates in each census tract. HAC’s research note entitled Foreclosure in Rural America: An Update includes recommendations for rural homeowners with conventional loans, manufactured home loans, and USDA loans, and is free at https://ruralhome.org or $2.00 from Janice Clark, HAC, 202-842-8600.

HAC EXAMINES MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITY CONVERSION TO RESIDENT OWNERSHIP. Preserving Affordable Manufactured Home Communities in Rural America: A Case Study is free at https://ruralhome.org or $2.00 from Janice Clark, HAC, 202-842-8600.