Policy

Policy News & Information

Decisions made in Washington, DC affect even the most remote corners of rural America. Affordable housing everywhere in the country is impacted by what federal agencies do, what Congress does, even what the Supreme Court decides. HAC follows federal policy and government actions closely and gives rural housing stakeholders the information they need. Details about the most recent government funding, laws, regulations, and more are provided on this page. HAC provides summaries and key facts in the biweekly HAC News newsletter and on its social media streams.

CLARIFICATION and shutdown update: January Rental Assistance payments will be made

UPDATE, January 23, 2019 More of the many media reports related to the shutdown’s impact on USDA housing and rural residents: Ignore full-rent letter, Newport tenants told; 2nd notice says […]

Federal shutdown continues, impact on rural renters still unclear

As of January 8, 2019, parts of the federal government including USDA and HUD remain shut down. HAC has not been able to learn any additional information about the impact […]

HAC Shares Comments on OCC's "Reforming the Community Reinvestment Act Regulatory Framework" ANPR

The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) is presenting its comments to the Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC) on its “Reforming the Community Reinvestment Act Regulatory Framework” Advanced Notice of […]

HAC Shares DRAFT Comments on USDA Proposed Rule on Income Banding

The Housing Assistance Council is making available its DRAFT comments on USDA’s proposed rule published August 31, 2018, The proposal seeks to amend USDA’s regulations to implement a two-tier income […]

USDA Proposes to Make "Income Banding" Permanent

In a Federal Register notice published August 31, 2018, USDA’s Rural Housing Service proposed changes to its single-family direct and guaranteed loan and grant programs (Section 502 direct, 502 guaranteed, […]