Rural Recap
Rory Doyle / There Is More Work To Be Done
Rory Doyle / There Is More Work To Be Done
Rural Recap – Expertise
David’s Line: HAC’s 2025 Annual Report is Now Live
Hello and welcome to another edition of Rural Recap. I am pleased to announce the release of HAC’s 2025 annual report. The theme for this year’s edition is “HAC Expertise.” As you read through the stories we highlight from the past year, my hope is that you recognize both the importance of having strong, capable experts on staff, and the know how we bring from 55 years of working in small towns and rural places.
Whether it is preserving affordable rental housing properties around the country, analyzing the latest policy proposals in D.C., producing cutting edge research for a small community, or assembling the nation’s industry leaders for our biennial housing conference, HAC’s wide-ranging expertise makes it possible. Our experts are among the best in the business. They bring an array of skills and experience to focus on the future of rural communities. And bonus, they bring an energy to the work that is a joy to be around.
I invite you to read our annual report and see for yourself. The year 2025 posed a lot of questions about housing affordability in America, and 2026 is no different. HAC has what it takes to help address those questions head-on. The work continues, and I thank you for being here for it.
HACtivities
National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s Just Economy Conference
The National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s 2026 Just Economy Conference was held from April 14-15 in Washington, DC. HAC Board Chair Dr. Karama Neal and HAC Research Associate Meagan Mitchell Davis spoke on a panel entitled, “Heirs’ Property: Collaboration, Innovations, and Investments for Generational Wealth Preservation.” The discussion focused on research that suggests heirs’ property and title issues have contributed to land and property loss, particularly for Black and Indigenous households, and in low-income communities. The session also addressed successful solutions and further proposed innovations to shore up property inheritance processes for communities currently facing heirs’ property challenges. Learn more about Heirs’ Property issues at HAC’s new Heirs’ Property Central website.
Opportunity Zones
The IRS recently released guidance for governors to nominate places for designation as Opportunity Zones. HAC, in conjunction with Partners for Rural Transformation and Hope Enterprise, Inc. developed a guide of recommendations to help states make their Opportunity Zone designations in a way that will drive investments into rural communities facing persistent poverty. In addition to the guide, the partnering organizations also recorded a webinar for state policymakers, regional development hubs, and local non-profits to review these recommendations. You can access the guide of recommendations here, and watch the full webinar here.
Recaps
- In the rural town of Bowling Green, Florida, affordable rental housing is both scarce and critically important to the stability of the community. So when it looked like the Azalea Apartments in Bowling Green faced an uncertain future, Florida Non-Profit Housing, Inc. (FNPH) reached out to HAC to help them preserve the property. Read the full Azalea Apartment success story on HAC’s website.
- HAC proudly presents our 2025 Loan Fund Impact Report. In fiscal year 2025 (October 2024-September 2025), our Loan Fund provided $20.8 million in financing through 45 loans to build, rehabilitate, or preserve 1,253 affordable homes across 24 states and territories. That total includes 579 preserved rental homes, 224 new construction rental homes, and 450 for-sale homes. Read the full report here.
- The House Appropriations Committee released its proposed FY27 funding bills for HUD and USDA in April. HAC conducted a full analysis of both proposals as they were released, including funding level tables that will be updated as the proposals move through the appropriations processes. Read the full analysis for HUD and USDA on HAC’s website.
- HAC is hiring! Do you know someone who is passionate about serving the needs of rural communities in America? Perhaps that person is you? HAC is currently hiring in a number of different positions that advance the goals of affordable housing in rural America. Visit our Careers page, see what positions are available, and apply today!
