Access a pdf version of this HAC News. • Exurbs and rural coastal counties had the most housing growth, 2000-2008 • FHFA seeks comments on diversity rule • HUD takes over HOPE for Homeowners program • Green building uses for recovery funds examined • Federal water-wastewater efforts on U.S.-Mexico border ineffective, GAO finds • Long term strategies needed to address tax credit slump, report concludes • Winter strategies for homeless highlighted • Webinars offered on Strategies for Community Prosperity • Affordable Housing Finance seeks award nominations • Economic impact of aid to renters studied • Resources available to help families claim tax credits • Community leaders social networking site includes rural development • SAVE THE DATE FOR HAC’S NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE 2010!

January 6, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 2

EXURBS AND RURAL COASTAL COUNTIES HAD THE MOST HOUSING GROWTH, 2000-2008. An analysis of Census Bureau data by The Daily Yonder, an online rural news source, includes a map showing the greatest gains and losses in rural housing units at https://www.dailyyonder.com/new-housing-increases-fastest-exurbs/2010/01/12 /2536. A previous Daily Yonder article reporting that exurban counties lost the most rural jobs from June 2008 to June 2009 is at https://www.dailyyonder.com/welcome-exurban-recession/2009/08/04/2271.

FHFA SEEKS COMMENTS ON DIVERSITY RULE. A rule proposed by the Federal Housing Finance Agency would implement recent legislation requiring FHFA, the Federal Home Loan Banks, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac to promote diversity in all activities and at every level of the organizations. Comments are due March 12. See Federal Register, 1/11/10 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Eric Howard, Eric.Howard@fhfa.gov, 202-408-2502.

HUD TAKES OVER HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS PROGRAM. Comments are due March 15 on an interim rule governing the FHA’s H4H refinancing insurance program, previously administered by a board comprised of several agencies. See Federal Register, 1/12/10 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Margaret Burns, 202-708-2121.

GREEN BUILDING USES FOR RECOVERY FUNDS EXAMINED. A report from the U.S. Green Building Council – “Top 10 Ways to Use Recovery Funds for Green Building” – and other resources are posted at https://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1962.

FEDERAL WATER-WASTEWATER EFFORTS ON U.S.-MEXICO BORDER INEFFECTIVE, GAO FINDS. A new report recommends solutions for the lack of comprehensive needs data and coordination. Rural Water Infrastructure: Improved Coordination and Funding Processes Could Enhance Federal Efforts to Meet Needs in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region (GAO-10-126) is available free at https://www.gao.gov or for a charge from GAO, 866-801-7077. (Toll free)

LONG TERM STRATEGIES NEEDED TO ADDRESS TAX CREDIT SLUMP, REPORT CONCLUDES. The Disruption of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program: Causes, Consequences, Responses, and Proposed Correctives, published by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, examines the new Tax Credit Assistance Program and Tax Credit Exchange Program. Visit https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/ or contact the Joint Center, 617-495-7908.

WINTER STRATEGIES FOR HOMELESS HIGHLIGHTED. The National Coalition for the Homeless has released Winter Homeless Services: Bringing Our Neighbors in from the Cold. Available at https://www.nationalhomeless.org, the report suggests ways to reduce the incidence of hypothermia for people experiencing homelessness.

WEBINARS OFFERED ON STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY PROSPERITY. The Heartland Center for Leadership Development and the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship offer a series of five webinars from January through May focusing on energizing and rebuilding rural communities, at $59.99 each or $250.00 for the series. Visit https://www.heartlandcenter.info/webinar_reg/.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE SEEKS AWARD NOMINATIONS. The magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards, which include a rural category, will go to affordable housing projects using LIHTC or other financing in 2009 or 2010. Visit https://www.housingfinance.com/. Contact AHF, 415-315-1241, ext. 309 or dkimura@hanleywood.com.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AID TO RENTERS STUDIED. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities calculates that $1 billion added to the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program would assist 200,000 families and help strengthen the rental housing market. Options for Jobs Legislation: Providing $1 Billion to Prevent Homelessness is available at https://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3032.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP FAMILIES CLAIM TAX CREDITS. Information and materials for the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits are available from the National Women’s Law Center. Visit https://www.nwlc.org/details.cfm?id=3136&section=tax or email Melanie Ross Levin, mrosslevin@nwlc.org.

COMMUNITY LEADERS SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE INCLUDES RURAL DEVELOPMENT. Leaders for Communities, developed by NeighborWorks America®, is intended to connect current and future leaders at community development organizations across the country. Participate can discuss topics, share and view resources, access and post job listings, and more. Visit https://www.leadersforcommunities.org.

SAVE THE DATE FOR HAC’S NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE 2010! Washington, DC, December 1-3, 2010! Details will be posted at https://ruralhome.org as available.

Housing Assistance Council
1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington DC 20005
(202) 842-8600 | hac@ruralhome.org | www.ruralhome.org