July 08, 2009
Vol. 38, No. 14

USDA APPROPRIATIONS BILLS FOR 2010 EXPECTED TO MOVE FORWARD THIS WEEK. The House bill, H.R. 2997 (see HAC News, 6/24/09), will be considered by the full House and the Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to take up its version. HAC will post updates at https://ruralhome.org as available.

HOUSING TRUST FUND SOURCES PROPOSED. H.R. 3068, introduced June 26, would use $1 billion of dividends paid by financial institutions receiving funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program to capitalize the National Housing Trust Fund Congress created in 2008. The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports the Administration has proposed using Ginnie Mae reserves. H.R. 3068 is at https://thomas.loc.gov and NLIHC details are at https://capwiz.com/nlihc/issues/alert/?alertid=13648666. A House Financial Services Committee hearing is set for July 9.

HUD ISSUES NOFAS FOR THREE UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS AND HEALTHY HOMES TECHNICAL STUDIES. Historically black, Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian, and tribal colleges and universities may apply by July 24. Visit https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa09/grpucp.cfm or https://www.grants.gov. Contact Sherone Ivey, HUD, 202-402-4200. Healthy Homes Technical Studies applications are due August 18. Visit https://www.hud.gov/lead or https://www.grants.gov. Contact Dr. Peter Ashley, HUD, 202-402-7595, Peter.J.Ashley@hud.gov.

RD EXPLAINS DAVIS-BACON FOR ARRA-FUNDED 502 MORTGAGES. Administrative Notice 4449 guides RD staff in following Davis-Bacon wage requirements for properties receiving Section 502 direct or guaranteed loans under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. AN 4449 is available at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/an/an4449.pdf or from RD offices. Contact Bill Downs, RD, 202-720-1499, william.downs@wdc.usda.gov.

GUIDANCE ISSUED ON USING SECTION 538 FOR SECTION 515 PRESERVATION. An RD Unnumbered Letter (June 18, 2009) explains how to reconcile program differences when using a Section 538 guaranteed loan for an existing Section 515 property. Obtain the UL at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/ul/uljune09.pdf or from an RD office. Contact James Carey, RD, 202-401-2307, james.carey@wdc.usda.gov.

USDA BEGINS NAMING RD STATE DIRECTORS. Nineteen were announced in press releases issued June 29 and 30. For links and updates visit https://ruralhome.org/infoAnnouncements_2009RDStateDirectors.php.

RURAL ENERGY PLUS PILOT PROGRAM BECOMES PERMANENT PART OF SECTION 502 PROGRAM. Begun as a nationwide pilot in June 2006, the program allows higher debt ratios for direct and guaranteed loan applicants purchasing energy-efficient homes. An unnumbered letter dated June 4, 2009 makes it permanent. Obtain the UL at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/ul/uljune09.pdf or from an RD office.

CRA RULES TO BE REVISED. Changes would incorporate recent statutory language that requires considering education loans to low-income borrowers and activities by institutions that are not owned by minorities or women cooperating with those that are owned by minorities or women. Comments are due July 30. See Federal Register, 6/30/09 or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Margaret Hesse, OCC, 202-874-5750.

APPROVAL PROPOSED FOR FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MAC INNOVATIONS. Under an interim rule implementing recent legislation, the GSEs would be required to obtain Federal Housing Finance Agency approval for new products and notify it of new activities. Comments are due August 31. See Federal Register, 7/2/09, or https://www.regulations.gov. Contact Carol Connelly, FHFA, 202-414-8910, carol.connelly@fhfa.gov.

HUD GIS SYSTEM AIMS TO HELP THOSE WHO HELP HOMELESS. The HUD GIS Tool for Communities is a free downloadable software tool on the Homelessness Resource Exchange site that allows users to explore HUD project data as well as design and print custom maps. Visit https://hudhre.info/index.cfm?do=viewGIStoolIntro.

SURVEY FINDS FORECLOSURE AND ECONOMIC CRISES ARE INCREASING HOMELESSNESS. When seven national homeless and housing organizations surveyed homeless service and advocacy agencies in both urban and rural places, 79% stated that at least some of their clients were homeless as a result of foreclosure. Foreclosure to Homelessness 2009 is available at https://www.nationalhomeless.org.

HAC OFFERS SUMMER CHDO TRAININGS. “Single-Family Housing Development” and “Advanced Financial Management” will be held July 29-30 in Burlington, Vermont and August 5-6 in Boise. “Building HOME for CHDOs and Nonprofits” and “Fitting the Pieces Together” (combining HOME and private financing for homeowner-ship) are set for July 15-16 in Orlando and August 12-13 in Milwaukee. “Single-Family Housing Development” is offered August 12-13 in McAllen, Texas. Limited travel scholarships are available. For details and to register online, visit https://ruralhome.org/servicesTraining.php. Contact Dan Stern, registration@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.