Rural Housing Archives

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.

HAC News: September 25, 2013

September 25, 2013/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

September 25, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 19

• National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated September 15-October 15 • Shutdown possible? • CR will extend area eligibility for USDA rural housing programs • Assisted Living Conversion funds offered • USDA RD to review online homebuyer counseling programs • Agencies propose aligning definitions of qualified mortgages • CFPB amends some mortgage regulations including rural and underserved exemption • Nonmetro poverty increased in 2012 while national rate remained the same • Low-power FM radio opportunities offered in October • HUD offers website and email list for Native American housing study • HAC report describes colonias • Between 2000 and 2010, more than one-third of U.S. counties lost population. How has your community changed?

September 25, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 19

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATED SEPTEMBER 15-OCTOBER 15. President Obama’s proclamation is posted online.

SHUTDOWN POSSIBLE? Congress this week continues to debate passage of a continuing resolution to begin FY 2014 on October 1. “Non-essential” federal functions could be shut down if no agreement is reached. On September 17 OMB sent a memo to federal agencies telling them to plan for a shutdown. At press time, neither USDA nor HUD has issued guidelines for shutting down. When a possible shutdown loomed in 2011, USDA Rural Development’s contingency plan said no new loans or guarantees would be made without an appropriation, and all offices would close except for the Washington, D.C. national office and the St. Louis finance office. St. Louis would be the contact for loan servicing. HAC will provide updates at www.ruralhome.org.

CR WILL EXTEND AREA ELIGIBILITY FOR USDA RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMS. H.J.Res. 59, the continuing resolution passed by the House on September 20, would extend grandfathering of currently eligible places for as long as the CR lasts. At press time the Senate had not yet voted on the CR, but the language allowing for the extension is not in dispute, so it is expected to be included in any final version.

ASSISTED LIVING CONVERSION FUNDS OFFERED. Nonprofit owners of several types of HUD-assisted properties, including Section 515 developments with Section 8, can apply by November 18 for grants to convert to assisted living facilities or service enriched housing. Contact Katina Washington, HUD, 202-708-3000.

USDA RD TO REVIEW ONLINE HOMEBUYER COUNSELING PROGRAMS. Currently one online education provider is approved by USDA for use by first-time homebuyers receiving Section 502 direct loans. (Courses can also be taken in classrooms, by phone, or by self-study.) RD invites other providers of online courses to apply by October 23 for approval. Contact Shantelle Gordon, RD, 202-205-9567.

AGENCIES PROPOSE ALIGNING DEFINITIONS OF QUALIFIED MORTGAGES. HUD and other federal agencies jointly responsible for implementing the credit risk retention requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act suggest defining “qualified residential mortgages” the same way as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau defines “qualified mortgages.” In 2011 (see HAC News, 6/8/11) the agencies suggested a QRM definition that would have favored homebuyers with 20% downpayments. The new proposal would make other regulatory changes as well. Comments are due October 30. Contact Michael P. Nixon, HUD, 202-402-5216 or Mike Feinberg, HAC, 202-842-8600.

CFPB AMENDS SOME MORTGAGE REGULATIONS INCLUDING RURAL AND UNDERSERVED EXEMPTION. On October 1 a final rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will be published in the Federal Register making some changes to a proposed rule published in June (see HAC News, 7/3/13).

NONMETRO POVERTY INCREASED IN 2012 WHILE NATIONAL RATE REMAINED THE SAME. A HAC analysis of new Census Bureau data shows the official poverty rate in nonmetropolitan areas was 17.7%, up from 17.0% in 2011 and nearly 3 percentage points higher than the national level. Overall, 8.5 million nonmetro residents had incomes below the poverty line in 2012, a statistically significant increase of more than 400,000 persons from the 2011 level. Details are published by HAC and the Daily Yonder.

LOW-POWER FM RADIO OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED IN OCTOBER. The Federal Communications Commission offers a rare opportunity for nonprofits, tribes, and local governments to apply between October 15 and October 29 for licenses for non-commercial low-power FM radio stations. FCC will hold a webinar for potential applicants on October 3. Contact FCC staff, 202-418-2700.

HUD OFFERS WEBSITE AND EMAIL LIST FOR NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING STUDY. A congressionally mandated study of the housing needs of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians is underway and the final report is expected in December 2014. Survey instruments and other information are posted at https://www.huduser.org/portal/native_american_assessment/home.html, where one can also sign up for email updates.

HAC REPORT DESCRIBES COLONIAS. Housing in the Border Coloniasdetails the social, economic, and housing characteristics of the colonias region on the U.S. side of the U.S.-Mexico border. Most residents are of Mexican heritage. Poor housing conditions are common in the colonias with an old, deteriorating housing stock, combined with newer units that do not meet building codes. To order a printed copy, contact Dan Stern, HAC, 202-842-8600.

BETWEEN 2000 AND 2010, MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF U.S. COUNTIES LOST POPULATION. HOW HAS YOUR COMMUNITY CHANGED? Find out at HAC’s Rural Data Portal, www.ruraldataportal.org.

Hunger and Housing in Rural America: Intersecting Challenges and Solutions

September 3, 2013/in Rural Voices Economic Development, High Need Regions, Persistent Poverty

The Summer 2013 special edition issue of Rural Voices focuses on Hunger and Housing in Rural America. With housing affordability an increasing challenge, and hunger a more pronounced issue, how are rural communities combatting these issues?

View from Washington

Supporting Rural America’s Housing and Nutrition Needs
by Under Secretary Kevin Concannon, USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services
The USDA offers programs that support rural communities to address their housing and food security needs.

FEATURES

Rural Hunger and Housing: Challenges and Opportunities
by Lorette Picciano, Rural Coalition/Coalición Rural
Rural America faces challenges and opportunities in housing and food security.

Building Homes and Feeding the Hungry in Rural Pennsylvania
by Kate Thompson, Fayette County Community Action Agency
Community action programs can play an important role in addressing both housing and food security needs in rural America.

Farmworker Housing: Implications for Food Security and Food Safety
by Sara A. Quandt and Thomas A. Arcury, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Although they help feed America, farmworkers often face substandard conditions and food insecurity at their own tables.

Growing Food and Housing Security in South Dakota’s Native American Reservations
by Lauren Haas Finkelstein, Running Strong for American Indian Youth
South Dakota’s Native American community is fighting hunger and substandard housing to protect their children and future leaders.

Food Justice in the Rural Southeast
by John Zippert, Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund
Southern farmers are forming cooperatives and coalitions to secure food and housing justice while overcoming a history of discriminatory land and farm policies.

Developing Leadership to Address Health & Hunger
Interview with Starry Krueger, Rural Development Leadership Network
Rural Voices recently interviewed Starry Krueger of the Rural Development Leadership Network, about a new leadership development program in Mississippi.

MAPS & VIGNETTES

Hunger & Poverty in Rural America (jpg)
MAP – Many rural communities struggle to access enough nutritious food for their families.

Addressing Child Hunger in Rural New Mexico
Share Our Strength

What are Rural Food Deserts?
Map

Infographics

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 at the Rural Affordable Housing Group on LinkedIn, or on our Facebook page.

HAC News: July 17, 2013

July 17, 2013/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

July 17, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 14

• Cordray confirmed as CFPB director • DeMarco faces litigation over National Housing Trust Fund • Senate Farm Bill includes rural housing definition extension, House does not • Border Community Capital Initiative funding offered • HUD proposes new Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule • OMB issues 2013 Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement • CFPB updates list of rural or underserved counties for 2014 • Origination fees increased for Section 502 refinance pilot • HUD data shows decline in public housing, increases in vouchers and tax credits • Two HUD studies find discrimination continues • 2013 Kids Count data show higher ratings for education, health, and poverty • Op-ed describes sequestration’s impacts on Pine Ridge • Bipartisan Policy Center Housing Commission to hold regional forums • Register now for training on seniors and veterans housing

July 17, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 14

CORDRAY CONFIRMED AS CFPB DIRECTOR. After resolution of a partisan stand-off, on July 16 the Senate confirmed Richard Cordray as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

DEMARCO FACES LITIGATION OVER NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND. The National Low Income Housing Coalition, the Right to the City Alliance, and several individuals filed suit on July 9 against Ed DeMarco, acting head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, claiming he has violated the law by not requiring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to finance the trust fund created by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

SENATE FARM BILL INCLUDES RURAL HOUSING DEFINITION EXTENSION, HOUSE DOES NOT. All places currently eligible for USDA housing funds would remain eligible until the 2020 Census – so long as their populations remain below 35,000 – under Section 6202 of S. 954, passed by the Senate on June 10. H.R. 2642, passed by the House on July 11, is silent on the subject. A National Rural Housing Coalition petition is available online.

BORDER COMMUNITY CAPITAL INITIATIVE FUNDING OFFERED. Local nonprofits and tribes can apply by August 26 for funds to provide affordable housing, small business and community facilities to benefit colonias residents. Contact HUD’s Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development, 877-787-2526.

HUD PROPOSES NEW AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING RULE. Comments will be due 60 days after Federal Register publication on July 19. Changes include HUD data, clarification of the AFFH process’s goals, and a new mechanism for HUD review and oversight. Contact Camille Acevedo, HUD, 202-708-1793.

OMB ISSUES 2013 CIRCULAR A-133 COMPLIANCE SUPPLEMENT. Comments are due October 31 on the annual supplement to this circular, which governs audits of states, nonprofits, and local organizations receiving federal funds. For more information contact a funding agency.

CFPB UPDATES LIST OF RURAL OR UNDERSERVED COUNTIES FOR 2014. The list is used for several different regulations. Some counties have been added and about 50 have been removed. Contact CFPB, 202-435-7700.

ORIGINATION FEES INCREASED FOR SECTION 502 REFINANCE PILOT. Administrative Notice 4720 (July 16, 2013) allows fees at 2% of the loan amount or $3,000, whichever is less, rather than the 1% previously permitted. Contact an RD office or Kristina Zehr, RD, 309-452-0830 ext. 111.

HUD DATA SHOWS DECLINE IN PUBLIC HOUSING, INCREASES IN VOUCHERS AND TAX CREDITS. HUD recently released its Picture of Subsidized Households data for 2009 through 2012. A National Low Income Housing Coalition analysis found that since 2009 the average median income of households living in subsidized housing has dropped. The number of public housing units fell nationwide, while the numbers of housing choice vouchers and Low Income Housing Tax Credit units increased. Voucher recipients and public housing residents had similar economic situations, but heads of voucher households were more likely to be single mothers and less likely to be elderly.

TWO HUD STUDIES FIND DISCRIMINATION CONTINUES. Housing Discrimination Against Racial and Ethnic Minorities 2012 reports that in paired tests conducted in metro areas, minorities were shown fewer homes or apartments than whites. An Estimate of Housing Discrimination Against Same-Sex Couples reports on the first study of its kind, also using paired testing in metro areas. Same-sex couples received significantly fewer responses to e-mail inquiries about advertised units than heterosexual couples.

2013 KIDS COUNT DATA SHOW HIGHER RATINGS FOR EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND POVERTY. Tracking 16 indicators of child well-being, the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2013 Kids Count Data Book reports that education and health continue to make gains although poverty rates are growing, as are disparities by income and family structure.

OP-ED DESCRIBES SEQUESTRATION’S IMPACTS ON PINE RIDGE. Former North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan wrote in the New York Times on July 10 that funding cuts are reducing the already inadequate resources for housing, health care, and education on the reservation, and recommended tribes be exempt from sequestration.

BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER HOUSING COMMISSION TO HOLD REGIONAL FORUMS. Free and open to the public, the events on August 13 in Dallas, August 22 in Ketcham, ID, and August 27 in Columbus, OH will feature panels discussing issues including the state of the housing market, affordable rental housing, rural housing, and reform of the U.S mortgage system. Register online at https://bipartisanpolicy.org/events/upcoming.

REGISTER NOW FOR TRAINING ON SENIORS AND VETERANS HOUSING. HAC will host “Housing Seniors and Veterans in Rural America: Preservation, Development, and Services” in Council Bluffs, IA on August 28-29. Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA) will speak on August 28. Visit HAC’s website, www.ruralhome.org.

USDA Multi-Family Fair Housing Occupancy Report FY 2012

June 20, 2013/in Multi-Family Fair Housing Occupancy Reports

USDA’s annual occupancy survey shows 2,135 fewer units and 1,254 fewer occupied units (households) in Section 515 and 514/516 properties in 2012 than 2011. There are 1,243 more households receiving Section 521 Rental Assistance and 931 fewer with rental aid from other sources. The number of cost burdened households dropped by 1,562.

Aging in Place Webinar

June 19, 2013/in Event Updates

To have an event posted on our calendar*, please e-mail Dan Stern. Or send event description or brochure to:

Housing Assistance Council
Attn: Dan Stern
1025 Vermont Avenue, NW
Suite 606
Washington, DC 20005

Or fax to (202) 347-3441
Attn: Dan Stern

[addthis2][/addthis2]

*Calendar Posting Guidelines:

HAC’s calendar posts announcements about periodic conferences, training sessions, audioconferences, and the like. Topics must be relevant to professionals in the rural housing and community development arena. HAC reserves the right to accept or decline any request to post an item. We do not include sessions provided by entities (for-profit or nonprofit) that offer numerous regularly scheduled training events; links to such entities are provided below.

Community Connections
IPED
HUD Calendar
NeighborWorks
Novogradac and Compan

Back to Trainings

Save the Date

Aging in Place Home Repair for Rural Seniors Webinar

Date: June 19, 2013
Time: 3:00 – 4:15 PM Eastern

Topics will include the USDA Section 504 grant program and leveraging weatherization dollars for senior home repair.

For information, contact Janice Clark at Janice@ruralhome.org.

Rural Housing Budget Disappointing, But Not Surprising

April 23, 2013/in Blog Posts

Rural Housing Budget Disappointing, But Not Surprising

by Leslie Strauss, HAC

Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, the Obama adm ini stration’s rural housing budget continues trends that were evident in the last several budget requests.

The guiding principle seems to be, as it is for “safety net” programs generally, reducing spending rather than meeting needs.

The USDA’s flagship rural housing efforts have long been direct loan programs: Section 502 for homebuyers and Section 515 for those who provide rental housing. Like past Obama administration budgets, the FY14 request emphasizes USDA’s loan guarantees rather than direct lending. The guarantee programs—Section 502 guaranteed for homebuyers and Section 538 for rental housing—are “budget neutral” because participants pay fees that cover the programs’ costs. They carry higher interest rates, however, and therefore serve residents with somewhat higher income levels than those using the direct loan programs.

Rental Housing in Rural America

April 22, 2013/in Rural Research Notes Rental Housing, Rental Housing Development and Preservation

In this Rural Research Note, HAC gives an overview of rental housing and renters in rural America. There are more than 17 million people living in approximately 7.1 million renter-occupied homes in rural communities. Nearly 43 percent of rural renters occupy single-family homes – twice the rate of urban renters. Slightly fewer rural renters (41 percent) live in structures of two or more apartments. Housing affordability problems are especially problematic for rural renters. A full 47 percent of rural renters are cost burdened, and nearly half of them are paying more than 50 percent of their monthly incomes for housing. With demographic transformations, the need for adequate and affordable rental housing looms large for many rural communities. Affordable rental options are vitally necessary, yet in short supply in rural America.

Rural Research Note: Rental Housing in Rural America

HAC News: April 17, 2013

April 17, 2013/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

April 17, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 8

• USDA rural housing budget emphasizes loan guarantees • HUD budget proposes cuts for some, increases for others • Senate committee holds hearing on Native American housing • USDA offers IRP funds • HUD sets policy on tenant protection vouchers • Homelessness has decreased in U.S. but increased in some states • Fair Housing Act should be modernized, NFHA says

April 17, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 8

USDA RURAL HOUSING BUDGET EMPHASIZES LOAN GUARANTEES. In the Obama Administration’s budget request for FY14, released on April 10, the Section 502 and 538 guarantee programs remain the focus of rural housing provision. Section 502 direct would fall from $900 million this year to only $360 million in FY14, and Section 515 from $31.3 million to $28.4 million. Increased funding is requested for Section 521 Rental Assistance, but data are not available for those outside USDA to calculate whether the higher amount is enough to renew all expiring contracts. The MPR rental preservation demonstration program would receive a slight increase to $20 million. Section 523 self-help housing would be cut by two-thirds. Section 514/516 farm labor housing and Section 504 home repair loans and grants would be cut by lesser amounts. Congressional appropriations subcommittees are holding hearings on the budget requests. [tdborder][/tdborder]

USDA Rural Devel. Prog. (dollars in millions)	FY11 Approp.a	FY12 Approp.	FY13 Admin. Budget	FY13 Approp. (H.R. 933)b	FY14 Admin. Budget
502 Single Fam. Direct (Self-Help Setaside) (Teacher Setaside)	$1,121 — —	$900 — —	$652.8 (141) (67)	$900 (5) 0	$360 0 0
502 Single Family Guar.	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000
504 VLI Repair Loans	23.4	10	28	28	26.3
504 VLI Repair Grants	34	29.5	28.2	c	25
515 Rental Hsg. Direct	69.5	64.5	0	31.3	28.4
514 Farm Labor Hsg.	25.7	20.8	26	d	23.5
516 Farm Labor Hsg.	9.8	7.1	8.9	d	14
521 Rental Assistance (Preservation RA) (New Cnstr. 515 RA) (New Cnstr. 514/516 RA)	955.6 0 (2.03) (3)	904.7 0 (1.5) (2.5)	907.1 0 0 (3)	907.1 0 0 (3)	1,015 0 0 (3)
523 Self-Help TA	37	30	10	30	10
533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants	10	3.6	0	c	0
538 Rental Hsg. Guar.	30.9	130	150	150	150
Rental Prsrv. Demo. (MPR)	15	2	34.4	17.8	20
Rental Prsrv. Revlg. Lns.	1	0	0	0	0
542 Rural Hsg. Vouchers	14	11	12.6	10	12.6
Rural Cmnty. Dev’t Init.	5	3.6	8	6.1	0

a. Figures do not include 0.2% across the board cut. b. Figures do not include 5% sequester or 2.5% across the board cut. c. Total for 504 grants and 533 grants is $33.1 million, the same as in FY12. d. The total budget authority for Sections 514 and 516 is $16.5 million in FY13, compared to $14.2 million in FY12.

HUD BUDGET PROPOSES CUTS FOR SOME, INCREASES FOR OTHERS. Funds would be reduced for CDBG, HOME, SHOP, and Section 811. The Housing Trust Fund would be funded at id=”mce_marker” billion. Increases are proposed for homelessness programs, rental assistance, the Public Housing Operating and Capital Funds, Section 202, Choice Neighborhoods, and housing counseling. VASH vouchers would be continued at $75 million. The budget requests $5 million to fund the new Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program. No funding is requested for the Rural Innovation Fund or its predecessor, the Rural Housing and Economic Development Program.

HUD Program (dollars in millions)	FY11 Final Approp.a	FY 12 Final Approp.	FY13 Final Approp.b	FY14 Admin.’s Proposed Budget
Cmty. Devel. Fund (incl. CDBG) Sustainable Commun. Init. Rural Innovation Fund	3,508 (100) 0	3,308.1 0 0	3,328 0 0	3,143 0 0
HOME Self-Help Homeownshp. (SHOP)	1,610 d	1,000 d	1,000 d	950 (10) d
Tenant-Based Rental Asstnce. Vets. Affairs Spptve Hsg. Vchrs	18,408 (50)	18,914.4 (75)	18,939.4 (75)	19,989.2 (75)
Project-Based Rental Asstnce.	9,257.4	9,339.7	9,339.7	9,872
Public Hsg. Capital Fund	2,044	1,875	1,886	2,000
Public Hsg. Operating Fund	4,626	3,961.9	4,262	4,600
Choice Neighbrhd. Initiative	0	120	120	400
Housing Trust Fund	0	0	0	1,000
Native Amer. Hsg. Block Grant	650	650	650	650
Homeless Assistance Grants	1,905	1,901.2	2,033	2,381
Rural Hsg. Stability Prog.	—	c	c	5
Hsg. Opps. for Persons w/ AIDS	335	332	334	332
202 Hsg. for Elderly	400	374.6	377	400
811 Hsg. for Disabled	150	165	165	126
Fair Housing	72	70.8	70.8	71
Healthy Homes & Ld. Haz. Cntl.	120	120	120	120
Self-Help Homeownshp. (SHOP)	27	13.5	13.5	10 e
Housing Counseling	0	45	45	55

a. Figures shown do not include 0.2% across the board reduction. b. Figures shown do not include 5% sequester. c. Funded under Homeless Assistance Grants. d. Funded separately before FY14 budget. e. Proposed for specific funding under HOME.

SENATE COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING. “Identifying Barriers to Indian Housing Development and Finding Solutions” was convened on April 10 by the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs. A webcast and copies of witnesses’ written testimony are available online.

USDA OFFERS IRP FUNDS. Nonprofit and public intermediaries can apply for Intermediary Relending Program funds to provide loans to support rural businesses and community development groups. Deadlines are March 29 and June 28. Contact a USDA RD state office for application forms.

HUD SETS POLICY ON TENANT PROTECTION VOUCHERS. HUD Notice PIH 2013-08 tells owners of HUD-assisted properties to notify tenants by May 15 if they intend to apply for vouchers and to apply by June 14. Properties must be in low vacancy areas and their mortgages must have matured or use restrictions expired during FY12. Contact a HUD field office or the Housing Voucher Management and Operations Division, 202-708-0477.

HOMELESSNESS HAS DECREASED IN U.S. BUT INCREASED IN SOME STATES. The National Alliance to End Homelessness’s State of Homelessness in America 2013 report also says the number of people experiencing homelessness as part of a family increased slightly, while the numbers of chronically homelessness individuals and veterans decreased significantly. The report includes data at the state level. Contact NAEH, 202-638-1526.

FAIR HOUSING ACT SHOULD BE MODERNIZED, NFHA SAYS. In its annual fair housing trends report, the National Fair Housing Alliance calls for adding sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, and marital status to the Act’s protected classes. The data in Modernizing the Fair Housing Act for the 21st Century show that complaints of discrimination on these bases, as well as harassment complaints, have increased.

The Color of Elsewhere: Identity and Wealth in Rural America

April 16, 2013/in Announcements

Stefani Cox, former HAC Research Associate, posted an article about rural planning and development in the Berkely Planning Journal.

Most of us have heard of the growing racial wealth gap and the statistics that show how white America continues to diverge from households of color when it comes to building assets, particularly in the form of quality homeownership. While we may tend to think about this disparity in the context of urban and suburban environments, it is crucial to also relate the issue to the households that live on the other 90% of the U.S. landmass, known as rural and small town America.

Read the full post…