rural housing news Archives

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HAC News: March 5, 2014

March 5, 2014/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

March 5, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 5

• For USDA housing, budget proposes minimum rents and new limits on Rental Assistance • HUD budget proposes some cuts, some increases • FY14 HUD NOFAs’ general section issued, includes transportation emphasis • Section 811 Project Rental Assistance funds offered • Housing counseling funds available • RD implements Violence Against Women Act changes • Section 184 fee increased, regulations revised • EPA proposes expanded pesticide protection for farmworkers

March 5, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 5

FOR USDA HOUSING, BUDGET PROPOSES MINIMUM RENTS AND NEW LIMITS ON RENTAL ASSISTANCE. On March 4 the Obama Administration released its budget proposal for FY15. Many of the USDA rural housing programs would be funded at the same level as in FY14. Differences include decreases in Section 502 direct loans and Section 523 self-help housing; as it has in past budgets, the Administration states it would rely on the Section 502 and 538 guarantee programs to finance single- and multifamily housing. Significant changes are proposed for the Section 521 Rental Assistance program. RA recipients would be required to pay a minimum rent of $50 per month unless exempted because of hardship. RA contracts would not automatically be renewed, and USDA would determine whether projects needed renewed RA.

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USDA Rural Devel. Prog. (dollars in millions)	FY13 Approp.^a	FY14 Approp.	FY15 Admin. Budget
502 Single Fam. Direct Self-Help setaside	$900 5	$900 5	$360 0
502 Single Family Guar.	24,000	24,000	24,000
504 VLI Repair Loans	28	26.3	26.3
504 VLI Repair Grants	29.5	28.7	25
515 Rental Hsg. Direct Loans	31.3	28.4	28.4
514 Farm Labor Hsg. Loans	20.8	23.9	23.9
516 Farm Labor Hsg. Grants	7.1	8.3	8.3
521 Rental Assistance Preservation RA setaside New Cnstr. 515 RA setaside New Cnstr. 514/516 RA setaside	907.1 0 0 3	1,110 0 0 0	1,089 0 0 0
523 Self-Help TA	30	25	10
533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants	3.6	3.5	0
538 Rental Hsg. Guar.	150	150	150
Rental Prsrv. Demo. (MPR)	17.8	20	20
Rental Prsrv. Revlg. Lns.	0	0	0
542 Rural Hsg. Vouchers	10	12.6	8
Rural Cmnty. Dev’t Init.	6.1	6	0
^a Figures shown do not include 5% sequester or 2.5% across the board cut.

HUD BUDGET PROPOSES SOME CUTS, SOME INCREASES. HUD programs such as homeless assistance, public housing operating and capital funds, Section 202 housing for seniors, Section 811 housing for the disabled, tenant-based rental assistance, fair housing, housing counselling, and lead hazard control all have proposed increases. The Housing Trust Fund would receive $1.0 billion. Community Development Block Grants and HOME would be cut, and small rural programs are zeroed out. The Rural Innovation Fund and its predecessor, the Rural Housing and Economic Development program, are not mentioned at all. As was proposed for FY14, the SHOP program would receive an appropriation of $10 million, but only as a setaside within HOME (which would be cut).

HUD Program (dollars in millions)	FY13 Approp.^a	FY14 Approp.	FY15 Admin. Budget
Cmty. Devel. Fund CDBG Sustainable Commun. Init. Rural Innovation Fund	3,308 2,948 0 0	3,100 3,030 0 0	2,870 2,800 0 0
HOME SHOP setaside	1,000 b	1,000 b	950 10
Self-Help Homeownshp. (SHOP)	13.5	10	c
Tenant-Based Rental Asstnce. VASH setaside	18,939.4 75	19,177.2 75	20,100 75
Project-Based Rental Asstnce.	9,339.7	9,516.6	9,346
Public Hsg. Capital Fund	1,886	1,875	1,925
Public Hsg. Operating Fund	4,262	4,400	4,600
Choice Neighbrhd. Initiative	120	90	120
Housing Trust Fund	d	d	1,000
Native Amer. Hsg. Block Grant	650	650	650
Homeless Assistance Grants	2,033	2,105	2,406.4
Rural Hsg. Stability Prog.	e	e	e
Hsg. Opps. for Persons w/ AIDS	334	330	332
202 Hsg. for Elderly	377	385.3	440
811 Hsg. for Disabled	165	126	160
Fair Housing	70.8	66	71
Healthy Homes & Lead Haz. Cntl.	120	110	120
Housing Counseling	45	45	60
^a Figures shown do not include 5% sequester. ^b Funded under separate Self-Help & Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program. ^c Funded as a setaside in HOME. ^d National Housing Trust Fund is “mandatory” funding, not discretionary, so does not need to be funded through appropriations legislation, although the Administration did include it in the budget request. ^e Funded under Homeless Assistance Grants.

FY14 HUD NOFAS’ GENERAL SECTION ISSUED, INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION EMPHASIS. As in past years, this document provides information that applies to all FY14 program NOFAs and does not itself offer funds. One of HUD’s crosscutting priorities is to reduce transportation costs by locating housing close to amenities such as grocery stores, medical facilities, and schools. A nonmetro site can receive a rating point if it is within one mile of amenities or within half a mile of public transportation to amenities. Contact HUD’s grants management office, 202-708-0667.

SECTION 811 PROJECT RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS OFFERED. State, regional, and local housing agencies can apply for FY13 and FY14 monies to provide project-based rental assistance for Section 811 supportive housing for extremely low-income persons with disabilities. Deadline is May 5, 2014. Contact Lessie Powell Evans, HUD, PRAapplications@hud.gov.

HOUSING COUNSELING FUNDS AVAILABLE. Apply by April 7 for FY14 and FY15 funding. Contact HUD, housing.counseling@hud.gov.

RD IMPLEMENTS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT CHANGES. The March 2013 reauthorization of VAWA made USDA’s multifamily programs (Sections 515, 514/516, 533, and 538) subject to the law. Administrative Notice 4747 begins to implement it, notifying RD staff that victims are protected from eviction, offenders may be removed from leases, victims may be relocated to other units using RD’s LOPE process, and more. Contact Barbara Chism, USDA RD, 202-690-1436.

SECTION 184 FEE INCREASED, REGULATIONS REVISED. HUD issued a final rule implementing a provision in the FY13 appropriations law that allows it to increase the guarantee fee under the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee program to as much as 3%. A separate notice increases the fee, effective April 4, to 1.5% from the current 1%. Contact Rodger Boyd, HUD, 202-401-7914.

EPA PROPOSES EXPANDED PESTICIDE PROTECTION FOR FARMWORKERS. A proposed rule is posted on EPA’s site. Comments will be due 90 days after publication in the Federal Register. Contact Kathy Davis, EPA, 703-308-7002.

HAC News: February 19, 2014

February 19, 2014/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

February 19, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 4

• Debt ceiling increased without other changes • FY15 Administration budget to be issued in two parts • President repeats environmental justice commitment • Updated income limits posted for USDA Section 502 direct and guarantee programs • HUD announces FY14 AAFs for Section 8 • USDA RD offers email information on Section 502 guarantee program • Frequently asked questions about HOME program updated • Resources available for community integration of people with disabilities • Wealth-building tax incentives go mostly to highest earners • Report explains use of surplus property program • HUD offers fair housing videos in American Sign Language • Upcoming HAC Events Cover Energy, 502, Seniors, and Veterans

February 19, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 4

DEBT CEILING INCREASED WITHOUT OTHER CHANGES. No spending reductions or other trade-offs were included in the measure, signed into law by President Obama on February 15.

FY15 ADMINISTRATION BUDGET TO BE ISSUED IN TWO PARTS. Initial reports stated that detailed figures would not be available until March 11. According to Bloomberg, however, an OMB spokesman said that on March 4 the Administration will release proposals, agency-level information, and the comprehensive appendix that provides figures for every program. Historical tables and supplemental analyses will be released on March 11.

PRESIDENT REPEATS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMITMENT. A proclamation by President Obama recognizes February 11 as the twentieth anniversary of President Bill Clinton’s Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, renewing the federal pledge to address disproportionate environmental impacts on low-income and minority populations.

UPDATED INCOME LIMITS POSTED FOR USDA SECTION 502 DIRECT AND GUARANTEE PROGRAMS. Visit https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov or contact a USDA RD office.

HUD ANNOUNCES FY14 AAFS FOR SECTION 8. Annual adjustment factors are used to calculate rent changes when Section 8 contracts are renewed. Contact information varies by program.

USDA RD OFFERS EMAIL INFORMATION ON SECTION 502 GUARANTEE PROGRAM. To receive Countdown: 7 CFR 3555, an email newsletter preparing for the September 1 effective date of the new interim final regulations (see HAC News, 12/18/13), and other email announcements, subscribe at https://www.rdlist.sc.egov.usda.gov.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOME PROGRAM UPDATED. HUD’s HOME FAQs cover program requirements, CHDOs, homeownership, rental housing, and more.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY INTEGRATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. The Community Integration Center at the Technical Assistance Collaborative provides an online library and also offers technical assistance to government agencies and others. Contact Kevin Martone, CICTAC, 617-266-5657, ext. 122, or send email through the organization’s website.

WEALTH-BUILDING TAX INCENTIVES GO MOSTLY TO HIGHEST EARNERS. “Upside Down: Tax Incentives to Save & Build Wealth,” a policy brief from CFED, reports that in FY13 the bottom 40% of earners received less than 3% of tax incentives related to investment, homeownership, retirement, and college. The paper includes recommendations for improving the incentives that reach lower-income families.

REPORT EXPLAINS USE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY PROGRAM. This Land is Your Land: How Surplus Federal Property Can Prevent and End Homelessness, published by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, describes the impact of the McKinney-Vento Title V program, which allows vacant federal property to be used, free, by eligible groups to provide housing or services to homeless persons.

UPCOMING HAC EVENTS COVER ENERGY, 502, SENIORS, AND VETERANS

March 25-26: “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Systems for Affordable Housing Development” in Memphis, TN, will cover energy efficient development practices and renewable energy technologies in rural affordable housing. The course will include site visits.
March 25-27: “Section 502 Packaging Training for Nonprofit Developers,” held in Memphis, TN, will be an advanced course teaching participants to assist potential borrowers and to work with RD staff, as well as other nonprofit organizations, to deliver successful Section 502 loan applications.
April 9: “Serving Veterans in Rural America: A Symposium,” held on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, will draw attention to our rural veterans and showcase programs and initiatives that help with housing, health, and employment needs. Senior federal officials from HUD, USDA and VA are confirmed speakers.
April 22-23: “Housing Seniors and Veterans in Rural America: Preservation, Development, and Services,” held in Phoenix, AZ, is targeted to rural housing providers. The agenda will feature discussions of federal and other housing programs for veterans and the aging, including home repair, rental housing, and services for the homeless. Successful best practices will be featured. Online registration.

HAC News: February 5, 2014

February 5, 2014/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

February 5, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 3

• February is National African American History Month • Farm bill extends housing eligibility for rural places • FY15 Administration budget to be delayed • USDA Rural Development revamping environmental regulations • Liquid asset poverty disproportionate among low-income and people of color • Research finds location impacts upward mobility • Upcoming HAC Events Cover Energy, 502, Seniors, and Veterans

February, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 3

FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH.

FARM BILL EXTENDS HOUSING ELIGIBILITY FOR RURAL PLACES. President Obama is expected to sign the farm bill into law; it passed the House on January 29 and the Senate on February 4. The bill includes language extending growing places’ eligibility for USDA rural housing programs. Communities that have been eligible, including about two dozen places that have been designated eligible under some provision of law, will continue to be “grandfathered in” – that is, they will remain eligible – until receipt of 2020 census data or until their populations reach 35,000. The farm bill increases the previous population limit from 25,000 to 35,000. The grandfathering provision of the FY14 omnibus appropriations bill, which maintains the 25,000 cap, will be in effect through September 30, and then the farm bill’s provisions will take effect. Contact HAC’s Mike Feinberg, 202-842-8600.

FY15 ADMINISTRATION BUDGET TO BE DELAYED. The Obama Administration has announced that its FY15 budget request to Congress will come out on March 4. By law the annual budget request is supposed to go to Congress by the first Monday in February. The congressional appropriations process begins after the budget submission, but even with the late start the process may move quickly because the budget agreement reached in late 2013 set discretionary spending caps for two fiscal years – 2014 and 2015 – rather than the usual one. In theory this will avoid a repeat of deadlocked or delayed budget negotiations, allowing Congress to complete FY15 appropriations bills in a more timely fashion. Appropriations are supposed to be, but seldom are, in place by October 1.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT REVAMPING ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS. RD has proposed to update the regulations on environmental policies and procedures that apply to all RD programs. It would also consolidate two separate rules into one. Comments are due April 7. Contact Mark S. Plank, RD, 202-720-1649.

LIQUID ASSET POVERTY DISPROPORTIONATE AMONG LOW-INCOME AND PEOPLE OF COLOR. CFED’s annual Assets and Opportunity Scorecard provides state level data for five issue areas, including housing. It reports that 44% of U.S. households have less than three months’ worth of savings. For low-income households the figure is 78%, and for households of color, 61%. All but one of the 10 states with the worst liquid asset poverty are in the South: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

RESEARCH FINDS LOCATION IMPACTS UPWARD MOBILITY. Where is the Land of Opportunity? The Geography of Intergenerational Mobility in the United States, a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper by researchers at Harvard and UC-Berkeley, compares the incomes of parents when their children were teenagers to the incomes of the children when they were about 30. Places with high mobility have less residential segregation, less income inequality, better primary schools, greater social capital, and greater family stability. Regionally, upward mobility is lowest in the Southeast and highest in the Great Plains. There are variations within regions as well. Rural residents are more upwardly mobile than urban ones: while 44.6% of all children who grew up in rural areas lived in urban areas at age 30, 55.2% of those who rose from the bottom quintile of the national income distribution to the top quintile grew up in rural areas and lived in urban places at age 30. Email info@equality-of-opportunity.org.

UPCOMING HAC EVENTS COVER ENERGY, 502, SENIORS, AND VETERANS

HAC News: January 22, 2014

January 22, 2014/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

January 22, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 2

• Spending set for 2014 • Rural Housing Cuts Avoided • HUD programs have some cuts, some increases • Congress changes HUD’s definition of “extremely low-income” • First Promise Zones include two rural areas • HUD suggests owners warn tenants before mortgages mature • Poverty guidelines updated • Study examines high poverty neighborhoods • HAC reports on USDA housing programs in FY13

January 22, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 2

SPENDING SET FOR 2014. Both the House and Senate have passed, and President Obama has signed, the FY14 omnibus spending package, the first full federal appropriations law enacted in over a decade. Next year’s funding discussions will begin soon, though reports are that the President’s proposed FY15 budget may be late, coming out in March rather than early February.

RURAL HOUSING CUTS AVOIDED. USDA rural housing programs did not suffer the cuts originally proposed by the Obama budget. Section 502 direct loans received $900 million, Section 521 rental assistance got $1.11 billion, and Section 515 rental loans, $28 million. The bill also directs that communities currently eligible for USDA rural housing assistance will remain so through the end of the fiscal year. In addition, it expands the Section 502 packaging demonstration, directing USDA to contract with five intermediaries. [tdborder][/tdborder]

USDA Rural Devel. Prog. (dollars in millions)	FY13 Final^a	FY14 Admin. Budget	FY14 House Bill H.R. 2410	FY14 Senate Bill S. 1244	FY14 Final H.R. 3547
502 Single Fam. Direct (Self-Help Setaside) (Teacher Setaside)	$900 (5) 0	$360 0 0	$820.2 0 0	$900 (5) 0	$900 (5) 0
502 Single Family Guar.	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000
504 VLI Repair Loans	28	26.3	25.4	26.3	26.3
504 VLI Repair Grants	29.5	25	18.6	28.7	28.7
515 Rental Hsg. Direct Loans	31.3	28.4	28.4	28.4	28.4
514 Farm Labor Hsg. Loans	20.8	23.5	23.9	23.9	23.9
516 Farm Labor Hsg. Grants	7.1	14	8.2	8.3	8.3
521 Rental Assistance (Preservation RA) (New Cnstr. 515 RA) (New Cnstr. 514/516 RA)	907.1 0 0 (3)	1,015 0 0 (3)	1,012 0 0 0	1,015 0 0 0	1,110 0 0 0
523 Self-Help TA	30	10	17.1	25	25
533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants	3.6	0	0	3.5	3.5
538 Rental Hsg. Guar.	150	150	150	150	150
Rental Prsrv. Demo. (MPR)	17.8	20	17.3	20	20
Rental Prsrv. Revlg. Lns.	0	0	0	0	0
542 Rural Hsg. Vouchers	10	12.6	9.7	12.6	12.6
Rural Cmnty. Dev’t Init.	6.1	0	6	6	6
a. Figures shown do not include 5% sequester or 2.5% across the board cut.

HUD PROGRAMS HAVE SOME CUTS, SOME INCREASES. HUD’s programs received a mix of level funding, reductions, and increases for FY14. HOME is at $1 billion, the same as in 2013, and CDBG is increased slightly. Other programs with increases include tenant- and project-based rental assistance, homeless assistance, public housing operating, and Section 202 elderly housing. In addition to HOME, programs with level funding include Native American housing and housing counseling. Cuts are made to public housing capital, fair housing, AIDS housing, Section 811 for the disabled, SHOP, and healthy homes.

HUD Program (dollars in millions)	FY13 Final^a	FY14 Admin. Budget	FY14 House Bill	FY14 Senate Bill S. 1243	FY14 Final H.R. 3547
Cmty. Devel. Fund CDBG Sustainable Commun. Init. Rural Innovation Fund	3,308 2,948 0 0	3,143 2,798 0 0	1,697 1,637 0 0	3,295 3,150 75 0	3,100 3,030 0 0
HOME	1,000	950	700	1,000	1,000
Tenant-Based Rental Asstnce. (Vets. Affairs Spptve. Hsg. Vchrs.)	18,939.4 (75)	19,989.2 (75)	18,610.6 (75)	19,592.2 (78)	19,177.2 (75)
Project-Based Rental Asstnce.	9,339.7	9,872	9,450.7	10,772	9,516.6
Public Hsg. Capital Fund	1,886	2,000	1,500	2,000	1,875
Public Hsg. Operating Fund	4,262	4,600	4,262	4,600	4,400
Choice Neighbrhd. Initiative	120	400	0	250	90
Housing Trust Fund	c	1,000	c	c	c
Native Amer. Hsg. Block Grant	650	650	600	675	650
Homeless Assistance Grants	2,033	2,381	2,088	2,261	2,105
Rural Hsg. Stability Prog.	b	5	b	b	b
Hsg. Opps. for Persons w/ AIDS	334	332	300	332	330
202 Hsg. for Elderly	377	400	375	400	385.3
811 Hsg. for Disabled	165	126	126	126	126
Fair Housing	70.8	71	55.8	70	66
Healthy Homes & Lead Haz. Cntl.	120	120	50	120	110
Self-Help Homeownshp. (SHOP)	13.5	10	10	13.5	10
Housing Counseling	45	55	35	55	45
a. Figures shown do not include 5% sequester. b. Funded under Homeless Assistance Grants. c. National Housing Trust Fund is “mandatory” funding, not discretionary, so does not need to be funded through appropriations legislation, although the Admin-istration did include it in its budget request.

CONGRESS CHANGES HUD’S DEFINITION OF “EXTREMELY LOW-INCOME.” The FY14 omnibus spending law makes several policy changes in HUD programs, including one that will help residents of poor rural areas to qualify. For the Housing Choice Voucher, public housing, and Section 8 Project-based Rental Assistance programs, “extremely low-income” is defined as the higher of 30% of area median income (the current standard) or the federal poverty level. The statute directs HUD to put this change into effect quickly.

FIRST PROMISE ZONES INCLUDE TWO RURAL AREAS. On January 9 President Obama announced the first five places to win “Promise Zone” designations, giving them preference for a variety of federal programs. The rural grantees are the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a group of counties in southeast Kentucky served by Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation. The cities of Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Antonio were also selected.

HUD SUGGESTS OWNERS WARN TENANTS BEFORE MORTGAGES MATURE. A HUD letter encourages owners of HUD-subsidized Section 236 rental properties to notify tenants months before their mortgages mature, at which time owners are usually allowed to convert to market rate rents. HUD offers preservation resources to owners. Contact HUD, 236preservation@hud.gov.

POVERTY GUIDELINES UPDATED. The Department of Health and Human Services has issued its annual poverty guidelines, adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index. Contact Kendall Swenson, HHS, 202-690-7507.

STUDY EXAMINES HIGH POVERTY NEIGHBORHOODS. Concentration of Poverty in the New Millennium, published by The Century Foundation and the Rutgers Center for Urban Research and Education, finds that the number of high-poverty census tracts decreased from 1990 to 2000 but increased again from 2000 to 2010 and is now greater than ever. The largest increase in number of these tracts was in micropolitan areas (10,000-50,000 population). The report also has data by race/ethnicity, region, and state, and brief discussion of the problems known to be caused by concentrations of poverty.

HAC REPORTS ON USDA HOUSING PROGRAMS IN FY13. HAC’s annual review of USDA Rural Development’s performance summarizes USDA obligation data by program area and by state. In addition, the report includes historic activity for selected rural housing programs.

SECTION 502 TRAINING FROM HAC. Join the Housing Assistance Council on March 25-27, 2014 in Memphis, TN for the Section 502 Packaging Training for Nonprofit Developers, a valuable training for any organization that packages or intends to package USDA Rural Development Section 502 Loans.

HAC News: January 8, 2014

January 8, 2014/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

January 8, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 1

• “War on poverty” declared 50 years ago • Congress facing budget deadline • 2015 budget likely to be late • Senate committee approves NAHASDA reauthorization • Watt sworn in at FHFA • USDA proposes nondiscrimination changes • Final rule provides exemptions from appraisals for high-cost mortgages • CFPB issues final rule on mortgage disclosures • CFPB seeks help improving closings • Conducting Homeless Counts on Native American Lands: A Toolkit – Webinar

January 8, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 1

“WAR ON POVERTY” DECLARED 50 YEARS AGO. In his first State of the Union address on January 8, 1964, just seven weeks after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, President Lyndon Johnson announced: “This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America. I urge this Congress and all Americans to join with me in that effort. It will not be a short or easy struggle, no single weapon or strategy will suffice, but we shall not rest until that war is won. . . . Poverty is a national problem, requiring improved national organization and support. But this attack, to be effective, must also be organized at the State and the local level. . . . For the war against poverty will not be won here in Washington. It must be won in the field, in every private home, in every public office, from the courthouse to the White House.” HAC is honored to work with the rural housers who continue to strive towards this goal.

CONGRESS FACING BUDGET DEADLINE. Congress is back in session this week after the holidays. House and Senate appropriators are working to reach agreement on and pass a final 2014 omnibus spending bill before January 15, when the current stopgap continuing resolution expires. Another short-term CR could be needed to avoid a second government shutdown while negotiations continue. Details of the omnibus package are not expected to be revealed until shortly before consideration by the full House and Senate. The overall budget cap for FY14 is $1.012 trillion. Both houses have decided, but have not made public, how that total will be divided among federal agencies. Also yet to be decided is an extension of the federal government’s borrowing authority, which expires February 7. That may be the next showdown.

2015 BUDGET LIKELY TO BE LATE. The Administration’s request for FY15 spending may not be released until a month or so after its due date in early February. The compromise budget agreement completed in December (H.J. Res. 59) set a 2015 overall budget of $1.014 trillion.

SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES NAHASDA REAUTHORIZATION. On December 18, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs approved S. 1352, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2013. A companion bill has not yet been introduced in the House.

WATT SWORN IN AT FHFA. Former Representative Mel Watt (D-NC) was sworn in on January 6 as head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Bank system. FHFA may now move forward on some stalled initiatives. Particularly important for rural areas would be adoption of regulations implementing a provision of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that imposes on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac a “duty to serve” three specific underserved markets – rural areas, affordable housing preservation, and manufactured housing. Watt could also require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to begin contributing funds to the National Housing Trust Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund.

USDA PROPOSES NONDISCRIMINATION CHANGES. Comments are due January 27 on a proposed regulation on nondiscrimination in USDA programs and activities. Changes would require collection of data voluntarily provided by participants (already collected by RD), mandate use of alternative dispute resolution services, and add protection against discrimination based on political beliefs and gender identity. Contact Anna Stroman, USDA, 202-205-5953.

FINAL RULE PROVIDES EXEMPTIONS FROM APPRAISALS FOR HIGH-COST MORTGAGES. A regulation issued by the agencies that oversee mortgage lenders exempts streamlined refinances and transactions of $25,000 or less from a provision requiring appraisals for higher-risk mortgages. Loans on manufactured homes will be exempt until July 18, 2015 and then will vary depending on circumstances. Contact Robert L. Parson, OCC, 202-649-6423.

CFPB ISSUES FINAL RULE ON MORTGAGE DISCLOSURES. The Consumer Financial Protection Board has established new disclosure requirements and forms for most consumer mortgage transactions, effective August 1, 2015. The rule also provides guidance on compliance and includes copies of forms in English and Spanish. Contact CFPB’s Office of Regulations, 202-435-7700.

CFPB SEEKS HELP IMPROVING CLOSINGS. Comments, including answers to specific questions, can be submitted by February 7 on key consumer “pain points” associated with mortgage closings and ways to address them through market innovations and technology. Contact Monica Jackson, CFPB, 202-435-7275. [tdborder][/tdborder]

CONDUCTING HOMELESS COUNTS ON NATIVE AMERICAN LANDS: A TOOLKIT
Webinar, February 19, 2014, 2:00 pm (EST)
Presented by HAC, this webinar highlights strategies for Native American communities to conduct homeless counts on their lands. Topics include outreach, engagement, survey planning and implementation, and funding.

HAC News: December 18, 2013

December 18, 2013/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

December 18, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 24

• Congress completes budget deal, with appropriations up next • New Rural Housing Service Administrator named • Senate confirms Watt for FHFA • USDA receives RA funds • Sec. 502 guarantee regulations proposed • Guidance updated on refinancing with Section 502 guaranteed loans • Deadline extended to submit homebuyer education packages to USDA • HUD releases FY14 income limits • Manufactured home standards revised • Harvard reports record levels of renter affordability problems • Report finds little improvement in farmworker conditions • Census tool maps data at local level • Rental Assistance funding explained in new HAC publication

December 18, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 24

CONGRESS COMPLETES BUDGET DEAL, WITH APPROPRIATIONS UP NEXT. On December 12 by a 332-94 vote the House approved H.J. Res. 59, a bipartisan agreement setting an overall budget framework, and the Senate passed it 64-36 on December 18. The agreement averts deep cuts under sequestration and sets top-line budget levels for fiscal 2014 and 2015. Spending levels for individual programs have yet to be established. Before the current continuing resolution expires January 15, appropriators must use the new template to craft their final 2014 bills. The Agriculture and Transportation-HUD bills could be included in an omnibus wrap-up law. Other more contentious appropriations measures, such as the Labor-HHS bill, will likely end up in a year-long continuing resolution for 2014.

NEW RURAL HOUSING SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR NAMED. Tony Hernandez started work December 16 as the new head of USDA’s Rural Housing Service. Most recently Director of the Division of Local Government for the State of Colorado, Hernandez also worked for Fannie Mae as Director of the Colorado Community Business Center, was a HUD Regional Administrator during the Clinton years, and served in the Colorado legislature. He is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University, the University of Denver School of Social Work, and Colorado State University.

SENATE CONFIRMS WATT FOR FHFA. Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) was confirmed on December 10 to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Bank system.

USDA RECEIVES RA FUNDS. USDA now has funds it expects will be sufficient to continue to fund and renew any expiring RA agreements through January. The agency will waive late fees for borrowers who may have been charged for late December mortgage payments. See HAC News, 12/4/13.

SEC. 502 GUARANTEE REGULATIONS PROPOSED. Comments are due January 8 on an interim final rule intended to make the program easier to use. The rule is scheduled to take effect September 1, 2014. Contact Debra Terrell, RD, 202-720-1452.

GUIDANCE UPDATED ON REFINANCING WITH SECTION 502 GUARANTEED LOANS. USDA RD Administrative Notice 4738 provides updated instructions, including new eligibility requirements, for refinancing Section 502 direct or guaranteed loans with guaranteed loans. Contact an RD office.

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SUBMIT HOMEBUYER EDUCATION PACKAGES TO USDA. Online counseling programs may now be sent to RD by December 31 to be considered for use by first-time homebuyers receiving Section 502 direct loans. (See HAC News, 9/25/13.) Contact Shantelle Gordon, RD, 202-205-9567.

HUD RELEASES FY14 INCOME LIMITS. The figures for each county and metropolitan area are used to determine eligibility for a number of programs.

MANUFACTURED HOME STANDARDS REVISED. HUD’s final rule amends a variety of provisions of the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. It does not include provisions on energy efficiency or maximum formaldehyde emissions standards for flooring. Contact Henry S. Czauski, HUD, 202-708-6409.

HARVARD REPORTS RECORD LEVELS OF RENTER AFFORDABILITY PROBLEMS. America’s Rental Housing: Evolving Markets and Needs, released by the Joint Center for Housing Studies, states that erosion in renter incomes has pushed the number of cost-burdened households to record levels, and aid has not kept pace. Among the striking findings: from 2001 to 2011 nonmetro areas permanently lost 8.1% of their rental units, compared to losses of 5.7% in central cities and 4.7% in suburbs.

REPORT FINDS LITTLE IMPROVEMENT IN FARMWORKER CONDITIONS. The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act of 1983 was intended to improve working and living conditions for farmworkers in the U.S. According to Unfinished Harvest: The Agricultural Worker Protection Act at 30, published by Farmworker Justice, “Overwhelmingly, farmworker advocates agree that AWPA has not resulted in a demonstrable improvement in farmworker conditions. . . . [Along with other problems,] farmworkers still typically live in over-crowded and substandard housing, rarely visited by government inspectors.” The report recommends improvements in the law and in enforcement.

CENSUS TOOL MAPS DATA AT LOCAL LEVEL. The new Census Explorer uses updated statistics from the 2008-2012 American Community Survey. It allows users to map out social, economic, and housing characteristics for a state, county, or census tract and to see how they have changed since the 1990 and 2000 censuses.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUNDING EXPLAINED IN NEW HAC PUBLICATION. “As Overall Program Funding for USDA Rural Development Shrinks, the Need for Rental Assistance has Grown” briefly covers the recent history of RA funding increases and makes projections for FY14.

HAC News: December 4, 2013

December 4, 2013/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

December 4, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 23

• Budget conference committee may develop two-year plan • USDA expects to have RA funds soon • RA shortfall later in FY14 will be bigger than last year’s • Continuum of Care funds offered • HUD opens new student design and planning competition • Difficult Development Areas announced for 2014 • VA proposes regulations for Home Improvements and Structural Alterations program • HUD finds continued decline in homelessness • Regulators adopt revised CRA questions and answers • Online mapping tool shows race and ethnicity in U.S. places • Rural seniors’ housing covered in Rural Voices magazine

December 4, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 23

BUDGET CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MAY DEVELOP TWO-YEAR PLAN. While the federal government operates under a continuing resolution through January 15, a House-Senate budget conference committee is to report out an overall budget template by December 13. Then the appropriations committees will produce agency bills, an omnibus spending bill, or a CR for the remainder of FY14. Also looming is another round of sequester cuts. Congressional Quarterly and Politico report that the conference committee is focusing on a limited plan to finish 2014 and cover all of 2015. It would include some relief from the sequester, a two-year discretionary spending template for appropriators, and possible fee-based revenue increases.

USDA EXPECTS TO HAVE RA FUNDS SOON. Some confusion occurred in November when USDA RD informed field staff that it had used up its Rental Assistance funding under the CR. In FY13, USDA used 22% of the $837 million annual RA appropriation between October 1 and January 15, so OMB released the same amount this year. In FY14, however, because FY13 September contracts were renewed after October 1 and some long-term contracts also needed to be renewed, USDA expects to need 52% of $837 million by January 15. OMB has the authority to release the full 52% during the term of the CR and is expected to approve USDA’s request to do so. When the funding becomes available, contracts that expired but were on hold awaiting funds will be renewed and paid retroactively.

RA SHORTFALL LATER IN FY14 WILL BE BIGGER THAN LAST YEAR’S. USDA faces increased demand for Section 521 Rental Assistance funds this year for three reasons, possibly four. First, contracts for about 15,000 units were held over from September and renewed using FY14 funds. Second, about 26,000 long-term RA contracts will expire this year and must be renewed for one-year terms. Contracts covering a total of 39,382 units, created over two decades ago for terms of 20 years or longer, had enough funding to last far beyond their original terms. HAC calculates that $105 million will be needed to renew the additional 26,000 units in 2014 and eventually a total of $160.4 million will be needed for all 39,382. Third, if RA funding for the rest of the fiscal year continues at the same level as FY13, it will again fall short by another approximately 15,000 units. A final possible threat will come if sequestration is not changed for 2014; USDA would have to cut some of its spending, and there are not yet any indications where those cuts might take place. More background is provided in a new Rural Research Note from HAC, “As Overall Program Funding for USDA/Rural Development Shrinks, the Need for Rental Assistance is Growing.” Additional papers and updates will be posted at https://ruralhome.org as available.

CONTINUUM OF CARE FUNDS OFFERED. Applications must be submitted through e-snaps by February 3. Con-tact a HUD field office or submit a question through the OneCPD website.

HUD OPENS NEW STUDENT DESIGN AND PLANNING COMPETITION. Teams of graduate students will develop plans for a site owned by a PHA, including architectural designs, neighborhood planning, and financial plans. Teams may begin registering now. Contact Claire Desjardins, HUD, 202-402-5945.

DIFFICULT DEVELOPMENT AREAS ANNOUNCED FOR 2014. Lists of DDAs and Qualified Census Tracts (the April 20, 2012 QCT designations remain in effect) are posted at https://www.huduser.org/datasets/qct.html. Contact Michael K. Hollar, HUD, 202-402-5878.

VA PROPOSES REGULATIONS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS PROGRAM. HISA funds necessary home improvements and alterations for disabled veterans. Comments are due January 21. Contact Shayla Mitchell, VA, 202-461-0366.

HUD FINDS CONTINUED DECLINE IN HOMELESSNESS. Point-in-Time Estimates of Homelessness, Part 1 of HUD’s 2013 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, reports a reduction of 3.8% since 2012 and 6.1% since 2010. Data are aggregated by state and by Continuum of Care.

REGULATORS ADOPT REVISED CRA QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. The federal agencies that regulate lenders subject to the Community Reinvestment Act made some changes in the interpretive questions and answers that were proposed in March (see HAC News, 3/21/13).

ONLINE MAPPING TOOL SHOWS RACE AND ETHNICITY IN U.S. PLACES. Using 2010 Census data, the Racial Dot Map, provided by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, provides color-coded dots for each person in each census block, showing population density and integration/segregation.

RURAL SENIORS’ HOUSING COVERED IN RURAL VOICES MAGAZINE. The fall issue of HAC’s quarterly magazine is titled “Filling the Gaps: Creating Housing Options for Seniors in Rural Communities.” One print subscription per organization is free from Dan Stern, HAC 202-842-8600.

HAC News: November 13, 2013

November 13, 2013/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

November 13, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 22

• November is Native American Heritage Month • November 16-24 is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week • Fewer rural jobs, more poverty, and declining population, research shows • RD changes multifamily transfer process • HUD considers risk sharing initiative for small multifamily properties • FEMA issues final rule on assistance for housing damage • Housing counseling comment period extended • USDA used most Section 502 funds, but not Section 504 loans, in FY13 • USDA encourages local partnerships to address veteran homelessness • HUD and DOT launch site on housing and transportation costs • Sequestration’s impact on government activities, including housing, described • Research from sources including HAC covers veterans housing issues • Record share of young adults living at home • HAC reports on farmworker housing

November 13, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 22

NOVEMBER IS NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. President Obama’s proclamation also designates November 29 as Native American Heritage Day. A USDA press release highlights support for Native Americans.

NOVEMBER 16-24 IS NATIONAL HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK. Information, planned events, and ideas are available from the National Coalition for the Homeless.

FEWER RURAL JOBS, MORE POVERTY, AND DECLINING POPULATION, RESEARCH SHOWS. The USDA Econom-ic Research Service’s annual “Rural America at a Glance” report says rural unemployment is declining, but – with exceptions in some areas – the change is due to declining populations rather than job creation. An article in the online rural news source the Daily Yonder summarizes ERS’s findings. A separate Daily Yonder analysis of unemploy-ment data in August 2012 and August 2013 includes an interactive map with figures for every county in the U.S.

RD CHANGES MULTIFAMILY TRANSFER PROCESS. An Unnumbered Letter dated September 30, 2013 focuses on determining the financial feasibility of a transfer or preservation transaction, including reducing Rental Assistance. Contact RD State Office preservation staff.

HUD CONSIDERS RISK SHARING INITIATIVE FOR SMALL MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES. Comments are due January 3 on a proposal for mission-driven lenders, including CDFIs, to originate, underwrite, and service loans with HUD mortgage insurance for refinancing or rehab of small properties. Lenders would assume 50% of the risk on each loan. Contact Lynn Wehrli, HUD, 202-402-5210.

FEMA ISSUES FINAL RULE ON ASSISTANCE FOR HOUSING DAMAGE. Revisions to FEMA’s repair, replacement, and housing construction assistance regulations are intended to clarify the eligibility criteria for assistance and to implement legislative changes. Contact John Carleton, FEMA, 202-212-1000.

HOUSING COUNSELING COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED. Comments are now due December 12 on changes to HUD’s housing counseling program regulations, published September 13 (see HAC News, 9/11/13). Contact Ruth Román, HUD, 202-708-0317.

USDA USED MOST SECTION 502 FUNDS, BUT NOT SECTION 504 LOANS, IN FY13. Despite USDA’s success-ful efforts to attract borrowers near the end of the year (see HAC News, 8/1/13 and 8/28/13), HAC estimates that USDA used only 53% of its Section 504 home repair loan funds in FY13. Section 504 grant funds were fully used, and Section 502 direct and guaranteed loans were almost entirely obligated. HAC’s final USDA obligations reports for the year are posted online.

USDA ENCOURAGES LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS TO ADDRESS VETERAN HOMELESSNESS. An Unnumbered Letter dated November 8, 2013 suggests that RD field staff inform local organizations about RD housing programs.

HUD AND DOT LAUNCH SITE ON HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS. The Location Affordability Portal is intended to provide consumers, researchers, and policymakers with data and resources on combined housing and transportation costs for all parts of the U.S. including remote rural areas.

SEQUESTRATION’S IMPACT ON GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING HOUSING, DESCRIBED. Faces of Austerity: How Budget Cuts Have Made Us Sicker, Poorer, and Less Secure, published by NDD United, compiles data, quotes, and individual stories. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has updated its data on use of HUD vouchers, including the number of vouchers that will be lost in each state if sequestration continues in FY14.

RESEARCH FROM SOURCES INCLUDING HAC COVERS VETERANS HOUSING ISSUES. “Housing Our Heroes: Veterans in Rural America,” a HAC research brief, summarizes data on demographics, housing conditions, and homelessness. USDA’s Economic Research Service provides demographic and economic data in “Rural Veterans at a Glance.” (ERS uses data for nonmetro areas, while HAC uses a definition of rural based on census tracts.) Housing Instability Among Our Nation’s Veterans, a National Low Income Housing Coalition report, examines housing issues for veterans nationwide. “Rental Assistance Helps More Than 300,000 Veterans Afford Homes, But Large Unmet Needs Remain,” from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, also covers the topic on a national basis.

RECORD SHARE OF YOUNG ADULTS LIVING AT HOME. More than one-third of Millennials aged 18-31 are living with their parents, according to A Rising Share of Young Adults Live in Their Parents’ Home, published by the Pew Research Center. A Forbes analysis of the report suggests that federal policies favoring homeownership led to high housing prices that young adults cannot afford.

HAC REPORTS ON FARMWORKER HOUSING. Housing Conditions for Rural Farmworkers explains character-istics of farmworker housing and obstacles to its improvement.

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