April 29, 2009
Vol. 38, No. 9

TWO RURAL HOUSING BILLS INTRODUCED IN HOUSE. H.R. 2034, introduced by Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO) with several cosponsors, would allow Section 502 guaranteed loans to refinance private sector mortgages. USDA would set the guarantee fee at a level that would enable such refis without credit subsidy. The guarantee fee for other Section 502 guaranteed loans would increase to 2%. H.R. 1989, sponsored by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), would change FY 2009 appropriations bill language for Section 538 guaranteed loans, allowing part of the program’s FY 09 funding to be used for interest subsidies. Search by bill number at https://thomas.loc.gov.

AMERICORPS EXPANSION BILL SIGNED INTO LAW. President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act on April 21 (see HAC News, 4/1/09). The first opportunity to fund the larger program will be FY 2010. Search H.R. 1388 at https://thomas.loc.gov.

RHED FUNDS AVAILABLE, DEADLINE MAY 29. HUD’s Rural Housing and Economic Development program has three categories: innovative housing and economic development, economic development and entrepreneurship for tribes, and technical assistance for tribes. Paper applications are required this year. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/economicdevelopment/programs/rhed/funding09/index.cfm. Contact RHED staff at 1-877-787-2526.

NOFAS ISSUED FOR MOST USDA MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROGRAMS AND FOR HOUSEHOLD WATER WELLS. June 29 is the application deadline for Section 515 rental housing new construction and the Multi-family Housing Revitalization Demonstration (MPR) program for Section 515 and 514/516 housing. Applications for household water well grants are due May 21. Section 542 preservation vouchers are available on a rolling basis for tenants in Section 515 properties when mortgages are prepaid or foreclosed upon. See Federal Register, April 29 or https://www.grants.gov. For Section 515, contact Sue Harris-Green, 202-720-1660, Susie.Harris@wdc.usda.gov; for MPR, Cynthia Foxworth, cynthia.reesefoxworth@usda.gov, 202-720-1940; for vouchers, Stephanie B.M. White, 202-720-1615; and for wells, Cheryl Francis, 202-720-1937, cheryl.francis@wdc.usda.gov.

IDA GRANTS OFFERED. Nonprofits, governments, and tribes can apply by June 25 for Assets for Independence grants to implement Individual Development Account programs. Visit https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/afi/. Contact AFI staff, 1-866-778-6037, info@idaresources.org.

SECOND FUNDING ROUND OPENS FOR CDFIS AND NATIVE AMERICAN CDFIS. Both CDFI Fund programs are offering financial assistance grants only, not technical assistance. Applicants must already be certified or have applied for certification. Apply by May 27 through https://www.cdfifund.gov (not through grants.gov). See Federal Register, 4/28/09 or https://www.cdfifund.gov. Contact CDFI Fund staff, 202-622-6355, cdfihelp@cdfi.treas.gov.

USDA ISSUES CIVIL RIGHTS IMPROVEMENT PLAN. On April 21, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack released a memo explaining his plan to promote civil rights and equal access for USDA employees and clients. Steps include an external analysis of program delivery in RD and other agencies, creation of a task force to review processing of civil rights complaints, improved data collection, and management controls for handling complaints. View the memo at https://www.usda.gov/documents/NewCivilRightsEra.pdf.

ECONOMIC STIMULUS SECTION 502 DIRECT LOANS EXPLAINED. Information applicable to Section 502 direct loans made with funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is provided in an unnumbered letter dated April 10, available at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/ul/ulapril09.pdf or from RD offices.

RD PRESERVATION VOUCHER POLICY UPDATED. An unnumbered letter dated April 10 is available at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/ul/ulapril09.pdf or from RD offices.

LOSS MITIGATION GUIDE FOR 502 GUARANTEED LOANS REISSUED. Administrative Notice 4433 is intended to clarify policies for loss mitigation and updates a guide for lenders. AN 4433 and others are available at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/an_list.html or from USDA offices.

TRANSITION PERIOD EXTENDED FOR NEW H-2A CERTIFICATION PROCESS. As the Department of Labor considers suspending the new process (see HAC News, 3/18/09), it has extended transition procedures to include all employers with a date of need on or before January 1, 2010. Comments on the extension are due May 18. See Federal Register, 4/16/09 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact William L. Carlson, DOL, 202-693-3010.

ADVOCATES’ GUIDE TO HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RELEASED. The 2009 issue of the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s annual book describes housing and housing-related programs, proposals, issues, and pending legislation. The guide is free at https://www.nlihc.org. Print copies are $25 for NLIHC members (or call 202-662-1530 for bulk rates) or $40 for non-members.