April 15, 2009
Vol. 38, No. 8

HUD CHANGES SUPERNOFA GENERAL SECTION. An April 16 Federal Register notice, available on April 15 at https://ruralhome.org, says some programs may accept applications on paper rather than through grants.gov, with specifics to be provided in forthcoming individual program NOFAs; it does not say when those NOFAs will be released. Other changes include alternative websites where NOFAs will be posted. HAC is monitoring relevant sites daily and will post information at https://ruralhome.org as soon as it becomes available.

APRIL IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH. HUD will mark Fair Housing Education Week April 20-24 with events for 5th-8th grade students nationwide. Visit https://www.hud.gov/news/index.cfm. Contact a local HUD office.

MCKINNEY-VENTO REAUTHORIZATION BILLS INTRODUCED. Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Acts have been introduced in identical form in the House and Senate and are similar to a bill that passed the House in October (see HAC News, 10/8/08). H.R 1877 and S. 808 are available at https://thomas.loc.gov (search by bill number). A summary and other information from the National Alliance to End Homelessness are at https://www.endhomelessness.org/section/policy/legislature/mckinney_vento.

EPA SMART GROWTH AID AVAILABLE. State, local, and tribal governments and nonprofits with government partners can apply by April 23 for direct technical assistance in policy analysis or public participation to implement smart growth. Visit https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm or contact Kevin Nelson, nelson.kevin@epa.gov.

RBOG DEADLINE EXTENDED, RURAL REDEFINED. The deadline for Rural Business Opportunity Grant applications is now April 30 rather than March 31 (see HAC News, 3/18/09). See Federal Register, 4/13/09 or https://www.grants.gov. Contact RD state offices. Following a 2008 Farm Bill requirement, RD implemented a new definition of “rural” for RBOG and other business programs in Administrative Notice 4419 (dated February 24, 2009), available from RD offices or at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/an/an4419.pdf.

OCC RULE ON BANK PUBLIC WELFARE INVESTMENTS FINAL. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is adopting, without change, the interim final rule issued August 11, 2008 (see HAC News, 8/13/08). See Federal Register, 4/7/09, or contact Stephen Van Meter, OCC, 202-874-5750.

FEMA PROPOSES RULE ON HURRICANE LOAN CANCELLATIONS. Comments are due June 2 on a proposed regulation implementing statutory changes allowing FEMA to cancel Special Community Disaster Loans made to local governments following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. See Federal Register, 4/3/09 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact James A. Walke, FEMA, 202-646-2751, james.walke@dhs.gov.

FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MAC EVICTION BAN ENDS. The Washington Independent reports that on March 31 the GSEs, which now have programs to work with homeowners and renters, lifted their moratorium on foreclosure evictions. Read the story at https://washingtonindependent.com/category/economy and descriptions of the programs at https://www.fanniemae.com and https://www.freddiemac.com.

FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS COMBAT MORTGAGE RELIEF FRAUD. The plan recently announced by the Obama Administration aims to protect homeowners seeking assistance under the Administration’s Making Home Affordable program. Visit https://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov or call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673).

TWO UPDATED REPORTS CONFIRM ONGOING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS. • Out of Reach 2009, published by the National Low Income Housing Coalition and supported in part by HAC, was released April 14. With data comparing incomes and HUD’s Fair Market Rents in counties and metro areas nationwide, the study finds that “in both urban and rural areas from coast to coast, decent housing is affordable for low-wage workers only if they are able to work significant overtime or hold down multiple jobs.” Out of Reach is free at https://www.nlihc.org/oor2009. For print copy prices visit https://www.nlihc.org/doc/Publications%20Order%20Form.pdf or call NLIHC, 202-662-1530. • Priced Out in 2008, announced April 13 by the Technical Assistance Collaborative and the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities, reports that rents for modest studio and one-bedroom units are higher than monthly income for people with disabilities. The report is free at https://www.tacinc.org/pubs/pricedout/2008.html or contact Emily Cooper, ecooper@tacinc.org, 617-266-5657 x 123.

NATIONAL “JOBS AND HOMES NOW!” DAY OF ACTION SET FOR JUNE 11. Local organizations and others will meet with policymakers about creating jobs, stopping foreclosures, and investing in community infrastructure. For information or to sign up as a host, contact the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, https://www.ncrc.org/dayofaction, 202-464-2719, or membership@ncrc.org.