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August 31, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 18

• OMB asks agencies to suggest spending cuts • Section 514/516 deadline extended • USDA reissues Preservation Revolving Loan Fund NOFA • HUD offers Energy Innovation Fund Multifamily Pilot Program Grants • Continuum of Care NOFA published • Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program reopens in some states • HUD proposes to open FHA mortgage insurance to Farm Credit System direct lenders • HUD announces FY10 Rural Innovation Fund grantees • Proposed FMRs released • Handbook explains clean-up after flooding • HAC launches senior housing initiative • HAC offers training on senior housing and 502 packaging, Nov. 8-10, Seattle

August 31, 2011
Vol. 40, No. 18

OMB ASKS AGENCIES TO SUGGEST SPENDING CUTS. The Office of Management and Budget told federal agencies to prepare 2013 budget proposals based on 5% and 10% cuts from FY11 appropriations. An OMB blog post says the Administration will not make across-the-board cuts but will cut spending that is “wasteful or not essential.” Visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/08/18/2013-budget-guidance. There will be further communications between agencies and OMB as the Administration’s official budget is developed; these are not usually made public.

SECTION 514/516 DEADLINE EXTENDED (see HAC News, 7/6/11 and 8/18/11). Preapplications are now due September 6 rather than August 22, and the points for energy conservation are revised. See Federal Register, 8/30/11, https://www.grants.gov/, or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_NOFAs.html. Contact an RD state office.

USDA REISSUES PRESERVATION REVOLVING LOAN FUND NOFA. USDA will make loans to intermediaries that will lend for Section 515 and 514/516 preservation. Deadline is September 21. See Federal Register, 8/22/11, or https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_NOFAs.html. Contact Sherry Engel, sherry.engel@wdc.usda.gov, 715-345-7677.

HUD OFFERS ENERGY INNOVATION FUND MULTIFAMILY PILOT PROGRAM GRANTS. CDFIs, for-profits, nonprofits, and special purpose financing entities are eligible for grants to demonstrate financing or applied research showing innovative and replicable approaches to increase energy efficiency at existing multifamily properties. Matching funds are required. Deadline is October 20. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm. Contact Theodore K. Toon, HUD, 202-708-0001.

CONTINUUM OF CARE NOFA PUBLISHED. Continuums of Care with approved registrations can apply by October 28 through HUD’s e-snaps system. Visit https://www.hudhre.info/.

EMERGENCY HOMEOWNERS’ LOAN PROGRAM REOPENS IN SOME STATES. Applications for interest-free loans are now due September 15 from homeowners in AK, AR, CO, HI, IA, KS, LA, ME, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NY, ND, OK, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, and PR who are at risk of foreclosure due to involuntary unemployment or underemployment, economic conditions, or medical conditions. Visit https://www.findehlp.org/ or call 855-FIND-EHLP (855-346-3345).

HUD PROPOSES TO OPEN FHA MORTGAGE INSURANCE TO FARM CREDIT SYSTEM DIRECT LENDERS. To make more housing credit available in rural areas, a proposed regulation would enable these lenders to seek FHA approval. Comments are due October 25. See Federal Register, 8/26/11, or https://www.regulations.gov/. Contact HUD’s Office of Lender Activities and Program Compliance, 202-708-1515.

HUD ANNOUNCES FY10 RURAL INNOVATION FUND GRANTEES. More than half the 46 awardees serve Native American/Native Alaskan populations. HUD says grantees will create 789 housing units and 655 jobs. Visit the Press Room at https://www.hud.gov/.

PROPOSED FMRS RELEASED. Comments are due September 19 on FY 2012 Fair Market Rents listed in the Federal Register, 8/19/11. Visit https://www.regulations.gov or https://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/fmr.html. Contact HUD User, 800-245-2691 or HUD program staff.

HANDBOOK EXPLAINS CLEAN-UP AFTER FLOODING. Intended to help residents and contractors remove mold and other contamination, Creating a Healthy Home: A Field Guide for Clean-up of Flooded Homes is free at https://www.nchh.org/. Agencies working directly with individuals impacted by floods can order printed booklets for distribution from the National Center for Healthy Housing, 877-312-3046.

HAC LAUNCHES SENIOR HOUSING INITIATIVE. Support from The Atlantic Philanthropies will be used to increase the capacity of organizations providing affordable housing for low-income rural seniors and to advocate for better and better-funded programs. To receive announcements about events and resources, contact Janice Clark, HAC, janice@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600 ext. 131.

HAC OFFERS TRAINING ON SENIOR HOUSING AND 502 PACKAGING, NOV. 8-10, SEATTLE Section 502 Packaging Certification Training for Nonprofit Organizations, Nov. 8-10, is for those who are familiar with the 502 direct loan program and anticipate seeking certification as loan packagers. Participants in this track are expected to attend the complete course and to take the online certification exam afterwards. Housing Seniors in Rural America: Aging in Place in a Shifting Landscape, Nov. 9-10, is a symposium featuring discussions, resources, and examples of successful practices. For more, check https://ruralhome.org/ later this week or contact Dan Stern, HAC, dan@ruralhome.org.