Rural Housing Archives

Congress Agrees: Collaborative, Comprehensive Care Needed For Rural Vets

April 16, 2014/in Blog Posts

by Eric Oberdorfer

Rural America has a strong history of protecting our country. In fact, as highlighted in a recent report on rural veterans, veterans are more prevalent in rural America, comprising 11.4 percent of the rural population compared to 9.6 percent of the nation overall. However, providing needed services to veterans in rural America can often be more challenging due to the spread out nature of rural areas. These challenges were discussed in depth at a recent symposium held at the US Capitol.

Attended by Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, each member of Congress noted the responsibility we share to ensure the well-being of our veterans, regardless of where they may live. It was encouraging to hear elected members of Congress discuss and acknowledge the challenges that exist in providing services to veterans in rural America.

Read the complete blog post at Rooflines.

HAC News: April 16, 2014

April 16, 2014/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

April 16, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 8

• House members question USDA officials about minimum rent proposal and support homeownership • April is National Financial Capability Month • USDA to hold phone or web meetings for Section 538 stakeholders • Rule proposed to implement oversight of appraisal management companies • Report makes case for homeless bills of rights • HUD releases interim report on Native American and Alaska Native housing • Entire nonmetro U.S. loses population for the first time, ERS says • State rental assistance programs study published • Health report for counties includes housing conditions for the first time • HAC reports on rural veterans’ housing • Recent blog posts cover decline of USDA housing, minimum rent proposal

April 16, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 8

HOUSE MEMBERS QUESTION USDA OFFICIALS ABOUT MINIMUM RENT PROPOSAL AND SUPPORT HOMEOWNERSHIP. At an Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on April 4, Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Robert Aderholt (R-AL), the subcommittee chair, asked about the Administration’s budget’s $50 minimum rent proposal (see HAC News, 3/5/14). Housing Administrator Tony Hernandez emphasized that the request included provisions for hardship exemptions. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), who is chair of the full committee, and several others criticized the budget’s low requests for Section 502 direct loans and the Section 523 self-help program. The archived webcast and written statements and testimony are available online.

APRIL IS NATIONAL FINANCIAL CAPABILITY MONTH. President Obama’s proclamation recommends consumers get free resources on managing money at www.MyMoney.gov and www.ConsumerFinance.govor call 1-888-MyMoney.

USDA TO HOLD PHONE OR WEB MEETINGS FOR SECTION 538 STAKEHOLDERS. Sessions are expected to be held in spring, July, and November. To receive notice of dates and times, register with Monica Cole, RD, 202-720-1251.

RULE PROPOSED TO IMPLEMENT OVERSIGHT OF APPRAISAL MANAGEMENT COMPANIES (AMCS). The federal agencies that oversee private lenders, along with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, request comments by June 9 on proposed regulationsfor AMCs. These are entities that serve as intermediaries for, and provide certain services to, appraisers and lenders. To be eligible to provide services for federally related transactions, AMCs and appraisers that are lender subsidiaries will have to meet federal and state standards and register in a national database. Contact Robert L. Parson, OCC, 202-649-6423.

REPORT MAKES CASE FOR HOMELESS BILLS OF RIGHTS. On April 15 the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty released From Wrongs to Rights: The Case for Homeless Bills of Rights Legislation.It describes the need for homeless bills of rights legislation, examines models of laws enacted and proposed in some states, and offers guidance on how to enact them.

HUD RELEASES INTERIM REPORT ON NATIVE AMERICAN AND ALASKA NATIVE HOUSING. Continuity and Change: Demographic, Socioeconomic, and Housing Conditions of American Indians and Native Alaskans,which uses secondary data sources, is part of the National Assessment of Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Housing Needs. The full report will include original research. The preliminary findings indicate that some socioeconomic differences between the American Indian and Alaska Native population and others have narrowed, but significant gaps persist in poverty, employment, and housing needs. Affordability is the most frequent housing problem for AIAN households, though crowding and physical inadequacy are common in some places. A separate report will cover Native Hawaiians.

ENTIRE NONMETRO U.S. LOSES POPULATION FOR THE FIRST TIME, ERS SAYS. USDA’s Economic Research Service reports that nonmetro areas in some parts of the country have experienced population loss for decades. However, 2010-13 marks the first period with an estimated population loss for nonmetro America as a whole, despite growth in some places. Some new regional patterns of growth and decline have emerged in recent years, such as growth in energy producing areas of the northern Great Plains. A Census Bureau analysisof population changes for the year ending July 1, 2013 notes this trend and others, including data for metropolitan and micropolitan places as well as nonmetro.

STATE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS STUDY PUBLISHED. State Funded Housing Assistance Programs,released by the Technical Assistance Collaborative, catalogs existing programs and identifies their key characteristics.

HEALTH REPORT FOR COUNTIES INCLUDES HOUSING CONDITIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has added housing problems (cost burden, crowding, lacking plumbing or lacking kitchen) as a factor in its county health rankings. Other factors include smoking, high school graduation rates, unemployment, and many more.

HAC REPORTS ON RURAL VETERANS’ HOUSING. From Service to Shelter: Housing Veterans in Rural America, funded by the Home Depot Foundation, covers the characteristics of rural veterans and their housing, as well as issues facing them, and summarizes available housing resources. Veteran homelessness has decreased and housing conditions have improved, but rural challenges remain, such as the distance to service providers. HAC and the Home Depot Foundation hosted a symposium on serving rural veterans on April 9; materials are posted online.

RECENT BLOG POSTS COVER DECLINE OF USDA HOUSING, MINIMUM RENT PROPOSAL. “Analysis: Rural Housing Programs in Decline,” written by HAC staff for the Daily Yonder, reviews funding trends and the FY15 Administration budget request. “Obama Plan to Raise Rents on Rural Poor is the Wrong Way to Save Money,” a post on the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities blog, addresses the budget’s request to impose minimum rents on USDA tenants.

Coming Together for Rural Veterans: HAC’s Serving Veterans in Rural America Symposium

April 11, 2014/in Blog Posts

by Eric Oberdorfer

Rural America has a strong history of protecting our country. In fact, veterans are more prevalent in rural America, comprising 11.4 percent of the rural population compared to 9.6 percent of the nation overall. However, providing needed services to veterans in rural America can often be more challenging due to the spread out nature of rural areas. Aiming to draw attention to the housing needs of rural veterans, The Home Depot Foundation and the Housing Assistance Council convened Serving Veterans in Rural America: A Symposium on April 9th, 2014. Moises Loza of HAC and Heather Pritchard of The Home Depot Foundation welcomed the attendees.

HAC was honored to have Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Representative Tammy Duckworth of Illinois as opening speakers. Each member of Congress noted the responsibility we share to ensure the well-being of our veterans, regardless of where they may live. It was encouraging to hear elected members of Congress discuss and acknowledge the challenges that exist in providing services to veterans in rural America.

Symposium Materials

From Service to Shelter

Power Point Presentations

Photos from the Symposium

#RuralVeterans Storify

Attendees also heard from Gina Capra, Director of the Office of Rural Health at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); Tony Hernandez, Administrator of the USDA Rural Housing Service; Keith Kelly, Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Veterans’ Employment and Training Services at the Department of Labor (DoL); and Ann Oliva, Director of HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs. Each agreed that to best serve our veterans, federal agencies must collaborate. HUD, VA, DoL, and USDA must look for ways to work together within their respective programs that will best meet the comprehensive needs of our veterans. This includes housing, employment, and physical and mental health services.

Rep. Tammy Duckworth prepares her remarksFortunately, the elected members of Congress were united on this front as well. Representative Duckworth discussed the importance of partnerships to ensure veterans in tribal lands received supports. Senator Isakson noted the potential benefits of providing vouchers to rural veterans so that they may access local health care providers if distances to VA medical facilities are too great. He also noted the unsettling rise of suicides within the veteran population and the need to ensure that mental health services are available and accessible.

Another theme that emerged from the Symposium was the obligation to acknowledge the differences that exist between rural America and urban or suburban parts of the country. Agencies agreed that there is a need to change the way outreach and resources are provided to rural areas, especially for homeless veterans. Better data on rural veterans is critical to achieve this goal, and the uniqueness of rural America must be taken into account during data collection and service provision. The panel noted how important it is to remember that issues common to all veterans, like transportation needs, health care needs, unemployment, and housing concerns, are exacerbated in rural areas. Furthermore, the lack of internet in some rural areas can significantly complicate VA or other federal application processes.

The issue of veteran homelessness was also brought up frequently throughout the symposium. Although programs like HUD-VASH, which combine HUD housing vouchers with case-management and clinical services provided by the VA, have been credited in lowering veteran homelessness by 24 percent since 2009, there is still more work to do. This is especially true in regard to female veterans with children, who are more likely to become homeless than their male counterparts. Shockingly, caring for their children can complicate efforts to seek treatment and housing services, as many supportive housing developments are unable to house families. Representative Duckworth stated that it breaks her heart to see these individuals, who gave so much to protect our country, having to choose between a home or her family.

Heather Pritchard and Sen. Johnny Isakson Heather Pritchard of The Home Depot Foundation and Sen. Johnny IsaksonThanks to the tireless work of housing providers in rural America, these issues are being addressed. The Symposium ended with a panel, moderated by Mark Williams of The American Legion, that showcased programs and initiatives that house veterans in rural America. Retha Patton of Eastern Eight CDC, Rita Markley of the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS), and Kenn Sassorossi of Housing Vermont shared inspiring success stories about providing needed housing to veterans within their rural communities in Tennessee and Vermont. These stories included family housing options with support services for homeless veterans. Heather Pritchard also discussed The Home Depot Foundation’s efforts in providing needed funding and assistance to organizations that house rural veterans. These programs and initiatives all highlight the importance of partnership and collaboration to successfully house veterans in need.

As Senator Sanders noted, the costs of war are greater than we know, and we must continue to meet the needs of our veterans when they return home. Although there is work to be done, it is always encouraging to know that elected leaders, government employees, and local organizations remain committed to this goal. Wednesday’s Symposium was a wonderful reminder of this, and an important reminder to thank our veterans whenever possible.

Looking to the Future: Youth and Housing in Rural America

March 24, 2014/in Rural Voices Capacity Building

The March 2014 issue of Rural Voices, “Looking to the Future: Housing and Youth in Rural America” is now available for download from the Housing Assistance Council. This edition looks at the unique issues related to youth and housing in rural America. The edition also features several organizations that directly serve rural youth.

FEATURES

Children Growing up in Rural America
by Marybeth J. Mattingly and Cynthia M. Duncan, The Carsey Institute

Characteristics and challenges of a changing population.

Serving Families from Roots to the Moon
by Nadia Villagrán, Coachella Valley Housing Coalition

How California’s Coachella Valley Housing Coalition helped improve the lives of one rural farmworker family.

Young People Build Affordable Housing and Transform Their Lives
by Karen Jacobson, Randolph County Housing Authority

YouthBuild provides young rural Americans with the opportunity to build job skills, and homes, in their own communities.

Young Rural Housing Leaders Reflect

A group of graduates from the California Coalition for Rural Housing’s Youth Internship program discuss opportunities for youth in rural America.

Lead Poisoning: Not Just a Problem for Urban Youth
by Ron Rupp,

Lead paint is common in older rural housing and is considered to be the leading environmental health threat to young children.

VIEW FROM WASHINGTON

Congress Acts on Rural Housing
by Joe Belden and Leslie Strauss

A federal budget and extension of eligibility for rural communities are positive steps for affordable rural housing. The proposed 2015 budget? Not so much.

MAPS

Children & Youth in Rural America – (Interactive Prezi)

Add your Response

Rural Voices would like to hear what you have to say about one, or all, of these issues. Please feel free to comment on this story below, tweet #RuralVoicesMag, discuss on the Rural Affordable Housing Group on LinkedIn, or on our Facebook page.

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.

Keeping Rural Seniors in Their Homes

February 28, 2014/in Blog Posts

Through my work researching housing for rural seniors, two things have become evident: first, rural America is older than the nation overall, and second, aging in place is the best option for seniors. “Aging in place” refers to older adults living independently in their current residences or communities for as long as possible. The vast majority of rural seniors own their own homes, so this often means remaining there; it can also be accomplished, however, by moving to a more manageable dwelling (such as a smaller apartment).

Numerous reports have proposed that aging in place… Read more

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

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.

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.