Vol. 51, No. 3

TOP STORIES

Congress must address federal funding this month.

The continuing resolution that maintains government spending at fiscal year 2021 levels will end on February 18. Congress may pass an omnibus appropriations bill, possibly using another brief CR to obtain more time to negotiate, or may decide to adopt a full-year CR. FY22 appropriations bills proposing increased resources for some USDA and HUD housing programs passed the House in July and were introduced in the Senate. The FY23 funding process will begin soon as well, with the Biden administration’s budget proposal expected to be released sometime in March.

Bill introduced to target funds to neediest places.

On February 1, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced the Targeting Resources to Communities in Need Act of 2022, H.R. 6531, which would direct federal funding to persistent poverty areas throughout the country. The bill is based on the 10-20-30 formula that has been applied to require at least 10% of funds from some USDA Rural Development programs be spent in persistent poverty counties (those where the poverty rate has been at least 20% for at least 30 years). It instructs OMB to work government-wide, program by program, to increase the share of funds going to high and persistent poverty areas.

Rental housing study finds growing inequities by income and race.

America’s Rental Housing 2022, published by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, reports that in 2020 the rental vacancy rate fell to its lowest level since the mid-1980s, rents rose, and ownership of rental properties continued to shift from individuals to businesses – including a record high share of single-family homes. Lower-income renters were especially hard hit by pandemic-related income losses and likely to fall behind on rent, with Black, Hispanic, and Asian renters suffering far higher rates of rent arrearages than whites.

COVID-19 cases explode as Omicron variant hits rural America.

HAC’s most recent analysis of data on the coronavirus pandemic shows a dramatic rise in rural cases. Since the emergence of the Delta variant in summer 2021, the COVID-19 death rate has been substantially higher outside metropolitan areas than within them.

February is Black History Month.

President Biden proclaimed February 2022 as National Black History Month.

RuralSTAT

Between December 20, 2021 and January 20, 2022 communities outside metropolitan areas reported more than 1.8 million new cases of COVID-19 – a 223% increase over the previous month. Source: HAC tabulations of public health data from the New York Times.

OPPORTUNITIES

Grants offered for rural arts.

The Rural Arts Initiative of the Laura Jane Musser Fund offers grants of up to $10,000 to assist small nonprofit arts organizations in rural communities to develop, implement, or sustain exceptional artistic opportunities for adults and children in the areas of literary, visual, music, and performing arts. Applicants must be located in communities with under 20,000 population in Colorado, Hawaii, Wyoming, or specified parts of Minnesota, New York, or Texas. Applications must be submitted online between February 9 and March 9. For more information, contact the Musser Fund, 612-825-2024.

Webinar to cover “Building Momentum for Your Long-Term Vision.”

Join the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design on February 16 for a webinar about approaches and tactics to build support for design projects across rural America. The session will be led by Jun-Li Wang, Associate Director for Programs at Springboard for the Arts, and Emily Schmidt, award winning journalist and communications consultant.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

CFPB updates lists of rural and underserved areas.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has posted its annual lists of areas determined to be “rural or underserved” and counties determined to be “rural” for purposes of mortgage lending regulations, and has updated the accompanying website tool.

CDBG disaster funds allocated and requirements explained.

A HUD notice describes the allocation of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds for some jurisdictions where major disasters occurred in 2020, along with waivers and alternative requirements, relevant regulatory requirements, the grant award process, criteria for action plan approval, and eligible activities. These CDBG-DR funds will be used for disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization, and mitigation.

U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness has new director.

Jeff Olivet, a founder of Racial Equity Partners and the former CEO of the Center for Social Innovation, has been appointed Executive Director of USICH.

HAC suggests ways to strengthen mortgage reporting.

HAC submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding its assessment of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act rule. HAC strongly urges the CFPB to return to requiring HMDA reporting by lenders originating as few as 25 loans, rather than its new 100-origination threshold, to more accurately capture rural markets that are disproportionately served by small financial institutions. HAC also supports development of a HMDA reliability index and addition of data points on topics such as manufactured housing to improve understanding of certain underserved markets.

USDA RD clarifies use of 2020 Census data.

Because Census Bureau release of new data has been delayed, USDA Rural Development programs will continue to use population data from the 2010 decennial census. Until October 1, 2022, RD programs will use state nonmetro median household incomes calculated from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey and then will switch to median incomes based on the 2015-2019 five-year ACS. For more information, contact an RD State Office.

Time periods for some youth vouchers extended.

A HUD notice explains newly extended time periods for vouchers provided to youth through the Family Unification Program. Some of these Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities amendments are already in effect. Comments are due March 25. For more information, contact Ryan E. Jones, HUD, 202-402-2677.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Tribal implementation of Emergency Rental Assistance examined.

Emergency Rental Assistance among Indigenous Tribes: Findings from Tribal Grantees, a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, explains that tribal grantees face unique challenges and barriers to implementing Emergency Rental Assistance programs: they serve households across jurisdictional boundaries and also have different housing needs and rental markets, administrative infrastructures, and ERA grant allocations. The research examines these key characteristics as well as lessons learned from tribal experience with the programs.

Development and population growth intensify flood risks, analysis shows.

In an academic paper and an article more accessible for non-scientists, researchers report that over the next 30 years, the cost of flood damage in the U.S. is on pace to rise 26% due to climate change alone. Factoring in population growth, however, makes the increase in flood losses four times higher than the climate-only effect. The study also found that the current flood risk is predominantly concentrated in white, impoverished communities, many of them on the coasts or in Appalachian valleys, whereas the 30-year increase in risk falls disproportionately on urban and rural communities with large Black populations on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. New Flood Maps Show US Damage Rising 26% in Next 30 Years Due to Climate Change Alone, and the Inequity is Stark includes an interactive map providing risk estimates by county.

HAC

Vision 2071 site celebrates history and looks to the future.

To celebrate its 50^th anniversary and look toward the next 50 years, HAC has launched vision2071, a website covering stories about the communities HAC serves, milestones over HAC’s history, and an opportunity to consider what rural American will be in 2071. A recent post describes the visions of eight housing and community development leaders for their communities. You can donate to HAC’s anniversary campaign here or by contacting Jennifer McAllister at HAC. Together, we can make this vision of rural America a reality by 2071.

HAC seeks Community Development Specialist, Loan Processor Associate, and Housing Specialist.

• The Community Development Specialist works with nonprofits and local governments on all facets of developing community resources such as parks, community centers, public libraries, childcare centers, health care facilities, or other public spaces. Requirements include four years of relevant work experience. This position is eligible for telecommuting.
• The Loan Processor Associate is an entry-level position and will assist in managing HAC’s portfolio of loans made to entities engaged in affordable housing activities throughout the rural U.S. This position is eligible for telecommuting.
• The Housing Specialist is primarily based in either the Southwest or Western states (within two hours of a major airport) and works with local partner organizations to identify financial resources and funding opportunities to support the preservation and development of affordable housing and community and economic development strategies specifically throughout expanses of Southwest and/or Western rural America. This position is remote location eligible

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including tribes).

Vol. 51, No. 1

TOP STORIES

Congress faces funding deadline.

Having reconvened after the holidays, Congress must act again on appropriations for fiscal year 2022, which started October 1, 2021. The current continuing resolution that holds programs at FY21 funding levels will expire February 18.

HAC to hold online forum on rural veterans’ housing grants.

Register now for a January 12 briefing by HAC program staff on the Affordable Housing for Rural Veterans initiative, which helps local nonprofit housing development organizations to meet the affordable housing needs of veterans in rural places. Grants typically range up to $30,000 per organization and must support bricks-and-mortar projects that assist low-income, elderly, and/or disabled veterans with home repair and rehab needs, support homeless veterans, help veterans become homeowners, and/or secure affordable rental housing. This initiative is funded through the generous support of The Home Depot Foundation. Applications are due January 21. For more information, contact HAC staff. No phone calls please.

RuralSTAT

The average purchase price of a new manufactured home (without land) is now estimated at $118,700* – up 41% from July 2020 to July 2021. Source: U.S. Census Bureau’s Manufactured Housing Survey. *Includes both single and multi-sections.

OPPORTUNITIES

HAC seeks Loan Processor Associate, Housing Specialist, and Community Facilities Housing Specialist.

• The Loan Processor Associate is an entry-level position and will assist in managing HAC’s portfolio of loans made to entities engaged in affordable housing activities throughout the rural U.S. This position is eligible for telecommuting.
• The Housing Specialist is primarily based in either the Southwest or Western states (within two hours of a major airport) and works with local partner organizations to identify financial resources and funding opportunities to support the preservation and development of affordable housing and community and economic development strategies specifically throughout expanses of Southwest and/or Western rural America. This position is remote location eligible.
• The Community Facilities Housing Specialist identifies and engages community stakeholders and provides direct technical assistance to rural organizations that are developing facilities such as parks, community centers, public libraries and childcare centers. This is a two-year position and is eligible for telecommuting.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

USDA offers guidance on community facilities funding priorities.

A guidance document explains how RD State Directors and the RHS Administrator can allocate discretionary points to support RD’s FY22 priorities when scoring applications for community facilities direct loans and grants. (Discretionary points are not available for CF guaranteed loans.) The three priorities are to help rural communities recover economically from the pandemic’s impacts; ensure all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and benefits from RD-funded projects; and reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. CF applications are accepted year-round. For more information, contact an RD State Office.

Duty to Serve proposals need revisions.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced on January 5 that it has reviewed Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s revised Duty to Serve Proposed Plans for 2022-24 and has directed both of them to submit additional revisions to improve the plans’ impact on all three DTS underserved markets (manufactured housing, affordable housing preservation, and rural housing). In the meantime, FHFA states, DTS implementation will continue without interruption based on objectives in the current proposed plans.

Input requested on rural minority businesses.

The Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency seeks information on rural minority businesses as it establishes a new Rural Business Center Program authorized by the November 2021 infrastructure act. It asks a variety of questions, including what are the financial, operational, and logistical needs of rural business enterprises; do rural and remote minority businesses face unique challenges; and how can community-based organizations be involved? Comments are due January 25. For more information, contact Danae Pauli, MBDA, 202-482-2332.

HUD announces regulatory waivers for Native American programs in disaster areas.

HUD has published a list of waivers and flexibilities from HUD requirements that can be used during calendar years 2022 and 2023 by Indian Housing Block Grant, Indian CDBG, and Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant grantees in areas covered by presidentially declared disasters. Separate notices were issued previously for HUD’s Native American coronavirus relief programs. For more information, contact Hilary Atkin, HUD.

Expedited waiver process set for public housing and Section 8 in disaster areas.

During presidentially declared disasters in calendar years 2022 and 2023, HUD will use an expedited process to consider PHA requests for waivers and flexibilities from regulatory and administrative requirements applicable to the public housing and Section 8 programs. For more information, contact Tesia Irinyenikan, 202-402-7026.

Two Rural Development State Directors appointed.

President Biden has named USDA RD State Directors for Montana and for New Hampshire and Vermont. The administration previously announced the State Directors for Alabama, Colorado, Delaware and Maryland, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

News stories describe 3D printing as an affordable housing solution.

How 3D Printing Can be the Solution to the Nation’s Affordable Housing Crisis, from NBC News, reports that building a home with wood costs approximately $150,000 but constructing homes with a 3D printer using concrete can reduce costs up to 15% and complete construction in half the time. ISU Project Hopes to Create a New Solution for the State’s Affordable Housing Crisis, an Iowa Public Radio story, explains that Iowa State University received $1.4 million from the Iowa Economic Development Authority and will purchase a 3D printer to print the vertical framing for homes. It will help fill the gap of Iowa’s workforce shortage and help speed construction of affordable housing.

Housing insecurity high for older renters of color.

Older Renters of Color Have Experienced High Rates of Housing Insecurity During the Pandemic, a Joint Center for Housing Studies blog post, reports the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey data shows that in the last year older households of color struggled to pay rent or mortgages at higher rates than white, non-Hispanic households. Disparities based on race, ethnicity, and tenure type are particularly apparent among older renters. During the last year, Black households were twice as likely as white households to be behind on rent. In addition, over a quarter of older Asian renters reported being behind on housing payments.

Hotel/motel conversions studied.

Addressing Homelessness Through Hotel Conversions presents an analysis of 13 hotel/motel acquisition projects from towns and cities of varying sizes, focusing on conversions aimed at providing housing for people experiencing homelessness. The report was published by the Terner Center for Housing Innovation as part of the Housing Crisis Research Collaborative.

Podcasts cover rural issues and housing.

• UCLA Housing Voice features interviews with housing researchers, intended to help make sense of their work and how it can be applied in the real world. Topics have included the legacy of redlining, state housing mandates, and fair housing.
• The Home Front from the National Low Income Housing Coalition focuses on housing policy priorities and advocacy.
• The Yonder Report is a short roundup of rural news released weekly, featuring a variety of rural voices.

Solar farm to be constructed on former coal mine site.

The New York Times, in Coming Soon to this Coal County: Solar in a Big Way, describes the development of a large solar power project on a former mountain top coal site in Martin County, KY. In this economically distressed county coal jobs, which once helped fuel the area’s economy, are nearly gone. While about half of the project’s 300 jobs would be temporary, they would pay an average of $25 to $30 per hour.

Pharmacists retiring in rural America.

Seeking Refills: Aging Pharmacists Leave Drugstores Vacant in Rural America, published by Kaiser Health News, discusses the shortage of candidates available to fill vacancies created by retiring pharmacists and associated impacts for rural communities.

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including tribes).

Vol. 50, No. 25

TOP STORIES

Federal funding extended to February 18.

Hours before a temporary spending measure was set to expire on December 3, Congress passed and President Biden signed another continuing resolution that will fund the government through February 18, 2022. The new CR holds most government programs, including housing programs at USDA and HUD, at their fiscal 2021 funding levels; fiscal year 2022 began on October 1, 2021. FY22 appropriations bills proposing increased resources for some USDA and HUD housing programs passed the House in July and have been introduced in the Senate.

HAC holds National Rural Housing Conference, sessions now available online.

Rev. Dr. William Barber issued an inspiring call to action on Poverty and Equity in Rural America at HAC’s Virtual 2021 National Rural Housing Conference, held November 30-December 3. His address is available on HAC’s YouTube channel along with other plenary sessions featuring USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), and others. The more than 550 registrants from 44 states, DC, and the Virgin Islands can access workshop recordings on the conference app. HAC thanks our many sponsors, scholarship contributors, and partners for helping to make the event possible.

RuralSTAT

Between 2019 and 2020 the number of home purchase mortgage loans in rural America increased by 13.7% – a rate higher than in suburban or urban areas for the same time period. Source: Housing Assistance Council Tabulations of 2019 and 2020 FFIEC Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data.

OPPORTUNITIES

USDA offers support for farmworkers and food workers.

The new Farm and Food Worker Relief Grant Program will make grants to state agencies, tribal entities, and nonprofits with experience in providing support or relief services. Grant recipients will then distribute relief payments to frontline farmworkers, meatpacking, and grocery workers who incurred expenses preparing for, preventing exposure to, and responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Applications are due February 8. For more information, contact USDA staff.

Indian housing competitive grants deadline extended.

Tribes and tribally designated housing entities now have until January 4 to apply for the Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive Grant Program. HUD has posted updated Frequently Asked Questions. For more information, contact HUD staff.

HAC seeks Loan Processor Associate, Housing Specialist, and Community Facilities Housing Specialist.

• The Loan Processor Associate is an entry-level position and will assist in managing HAC’s portfolio of loans made to entities engaged in affordable housing activities throughout the rural U.S. This position is eligible for telecommuting.
• The Housing Specialist is primarily based in either the Southwest or Western states (within two hours of a major airport) and works with local partner organizations to identify financial resources and funding opportunities to support the preservation and development of affordable housing and community and economic development strategies specifically throughout expanses of Southwest and/or Western rural America. This position is remote location eligible.
• The Community Facilities Housing Specialist identifies and engages community stakeholders and provides direct technical assistance to rural organizations that are developing facilities such as parks, community centers, public libraries and childcare centers. This is a two-year position and is eligible for telecommuting.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

USDA continues temporary authorization for appraisals.

For single-family direct loans, USDA will accept appraisals obtained by self-help grantees, certified loan application packagers, approved intermediaries, and leveraged or other participating lenders. This temporary authorization is effective through September 30, 2022.

Toolkit aims to help practitioners comply with federal lead rules.

HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes has developed a Lead Safe Housing Rule Toolkit with sample forms, checklists, and flowcharts to aid compliance with HUD’s rules on lead safe housing for units both with and without federal assistance.

Regulations revised for oneRD Guarantee Loan Program.

Based on comments and experience since a final rule was adopted in 2020, USDA has revised its regulations for oneRD, which applies to the Community Facilities, Water and Waste Disposal, Business and Industry, and Rural Energy for America guarantee programs. The changes are effective immediately but comments can be submitted until February 8. For more information, contact Thomas P. Dickson, USDA, 202-690-4492.

Change proposed for H-2A farmworker wages.

The Department of Labor is proposing to change the way wages are determined for many farmworkers with temporary H-2A visas. Comments are due January 31. For more information, contact Brian Pasternak, DOL, 202-693-8200.

Worker heat standards comment deadline extended.

OSHA has extended the deadline for responses to its request for information about protecting outdoor and indoor workers from hazardous heat. Comments are now due January 26. For more information, contact Andrew Levinson, OSHA, 202-693-1950.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

State and local use of Emergency Rental Assistance funds remains uneven.

Treasury Department data show that in October some states and localities began using the second round of Emergency Rental Assistance funds, while efforts to use the first round continue. Treasury estimates at least 80% of ERA 1 funds will be spent or obligated by the end of 2021. A National Low Income Housing Coalition analysis shows that states – which provide this rental aid for many rural areas – spent 48% of their ERA 1 funds by October 31, while localities spent 68%. Treasury has not yet announced how much ERA 1 funding it will reallocate, or what jurisdictions will gain or lose dollars.

Legal aid attorneys report eviction law violations continue.

A National Housing Law Project survey of legal aid and civil rights attorneys found that despite the availability of Emergency Rental Assistance and other aid, eviction filings rose, even for federally subsidized tenants, after the federal eviction moratorium ended on August 26. Survey respondents also saw more landlords lying in court to evict tenants; more illegal evictions, lockouts, and other harassment of tenants; evictions even after landlords collected rental assistance funds; and judges ignoring or inconsistently applying federal and state law. NHLP’s survey report includes recommendations to resolve these violations.

“Lost local news” includes stories on housing, prairie conservation, other rural topics.

The Lost Local News Issue of the Washington Post Magazine provides stories from local journalists living and working in news deserts, many of them in rural places and small towns. A Long-Deferred Hope for Better Housing, a photo essay, shows part of the process of remodeling the home of a low-income resident of Leflore County, Mississippi. (The author and photographer, Rory Doyle, also contributed to HAC’s There is More Work to Be Done exhibition.) How to Save the Prairie, Acre by Acre tells the story of Bob and Lorna Harder, who have preserved a portion of their farm in Kansas for Great Plains native plant species.

Article highlights rural use of housing tax credits.

Creating Affordable Housing in Rural America, an article in Affordable Housing Finance magazine, describes how developers around the country use Low Income Housing Tax Credits to address homelessness and the need for rental housing in rural America.

New docuseries explores perceptions of rural life.

Rural By Choice is filmed in Otter Tail County in central Minnesota. It shares stories from residents about “diversity, the rural vs. urban divide, and why people choose to live in rural areas.”

Almost all states criminalize homelessness.

A new study identifies laws in 48 states that prohibit or restrict conduct of people experiencing homelessness such as sleeping in public or in vehicles. Housing Not Handcuffs 2021, a National Homelessness Law Center study of state laws, supplements 2019 research on municipal laws. The law center notes that local laws and variations in enforcement can lead to penalties for activities even when they are not restricted by a state-level statute.

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including tribes).

Vol. 50, No. 23

TOP STORIES

Bipartisan infrastructure bill passes, social spending measure still pending.

On November 5 the House passed the $550 billion funding measure for traditional infrastructure, including rural broadband. It was approved by the Senate on August 10 and President Biden is scheduled to sign it into law on November 15. Also on November 5, the House agreed to move forward towards a vote on the Build Back Better social infrastructure bill, H.R. 5376, which includes funding for housing and the new Rural Partnership Program. A revised version of BBB, released November 3, added funds for some housing and development programs, including the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and the CDFI Fund. The House will continue its consideration of the bill after Congress returns from recess on November 15.

There’s still time to register for the 2021 Virtual HAC National Rural Housing Conference!

HAC invites you to join us virtually on November 30-December 3! This year’s conference features more than 30 workshops, where participants will interact and engage around best practices for rural housing and community development, organizational management, and resource development. The conference also includes a pre-conference day with gatherings for coalitions, associations, and working groups. For more information, contact HAC staff, 404-892-4824.

Joaquin Altoro appointed as Rural Housing Service Administrator.

USDA announced on November 8 that Joaquin Altoro will serve as the RHS Administrator. He has been CEO and Executive Director for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.

HAC’s Rural Voices magazine covers pandemic’s impact.

The pandemic is not over yet, but this issue, titled Creating the New Normal: COVID-19 Leaves its Mark on Rural America, covers how affordable housing organizations have adapted to a new reality. Get insights on how rural renters, the colonias, farmworkers, and people experiencing homelessness have been impacted.

RuralSTAT

53% of American Indians or Alaska Natives in the U.S. live in rural America. Source: HAC tabulations of 2020 P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data.

OPPORTUNITIES

New Markets Tax Credits available.

Applications are due January 13 for NMTC allocations, which can be used to attract private investment in economic and community development in low-income communities. Applicants must be certified Community Development Entities; apply for certification by November 18. For more information, submit a service request on the CDFI Fund’s site or call agency staff, 202-653-0421.

Grants will help historic places important to underrepresented communities.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Telling the Full History Preservation Fund offers one-time grants to help interpret and preserve historic places of importance to underrepresented communities. Nonprofits, colleges and universities, state or local government agencies, and tribes are eligible and must have been adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Apply by December 15. For more information, contact National Trust staff.

Webinar to consider rural capacity building.

This Is What Capacity Looks Like: Building Development Muscle in Rural and Native Nation Communities, to be held November 30, will examine what key components of capacity need to be intentionally strengthened so that local organizations can strengthen their rural and Native nation communities, what it takes for them to build capacity, and what barriers stand in the way. This is one of the Rural Opportunity and Development (ROAD) Sessions, virtual exchanges co-designed and hosted by the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, HAC, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Rural LISC, and the Federal Reserve Board.

NEW! HAC seeks Loan Processor Associate, Housing Specialist, and Community Facilities Housing Specialist.

• The Loan Processor Associate is an entry-level position and will assist in managing HAC’s portfolio of loans made to entities engaged in affordable housing activities throughout the rural U.S. This position is eligible for telecommuting.
• The Housing Specialist is primarily based in either the Southwest or Western states (within two hours of a major airport) and works with local partner organizations to identify financial resources and funding opportunities to support the preservation and development of affordable housing and community and economic development strategies specifically throughout expanses of Southwest and/or Western rural America. This position is remote location eligible.
• The Community Facilities Housing Specialist identifies and engages community stakeholders and provides direct technical assistance to rural organizations that are developing facilities such as parks, community centers, public libraries and childcare centers. This is a two-year position and is eligible for telecommuting.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

Agencies return to full enforcement of mortgage servicing protections.

Ending temporary flexibility they had instituted in April 2020, several federal and state regulatory agencies have announced they will enforce provisions requiring mortgage servicers to give families the chance to find alternatives to foreclosure before losing their homes. A Consumer Financial Protection Bureau statement notes that, with the majority of the over one million remaining pandemic-related forbearances expected to end before the end of the year, struggling homeowners will need these protections to avoid foreclosure.

USDA Rural Development requests comments on new forms.

Public comments are due January 4 on two sets of new forms for applicants. The Common Forms Package for Civil Rights Forms will collect information from funding recipients so RD can monitor their compliance with civil rights laws and regulations. The Common Forms Package for Real Estate Title Clearance and Loan Closing will collect information from recipients of funds involving real estate, including housing. For more information, contact Lynn Gilbert, USDA, 202-690-2682.

RISE rule for jobs accelerators is final.

USDA’s Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant Program interim final rule received no substantive comments, so it was finalized without changes. For more information, contact David Chestnut, USDA, 202-692-5233.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Learn about veterans in your community.

HAC’s Veterans Data Central is newly updated with data from the Census Bureau and other sources. This on-line resource is easy to use and provides essential information on the social, economic, and housing characteristics of veterans in the U.S. This data can help support sound strategies and policies to assist veterans.

New analysis shows what states may lose unspent Emergency Rental Assistance funds.

Emergency Rental Assistance Spending and Performance Trends, published by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, reports that 28% of grantees have spent less than 30% of their allocations under the first portion of the Treasury Department’s Emergency Rental Assistance program and may be at risk of losing funds through reallocation. This includes 32 states (63% of state grantees) and 80 localities (23% of local grantees). The report analyzes grantee spending progress, describes Treasury’s process for reallocating funds, and provides recommendations to ERA administrators and Treasury to best serve low-income renters.

Booming housing sales affect trends in rental market, zoning, and housing availability.

Recent reports, including by Politico and Forbes, look at rises in housing costs. Forbes notes that housing sales continue to boom across the country. The lack of availability of starter homes has led to high demand in the rental market, with trending rent increases. Some states are changing single-family home zoning laws, apartments are being built with less square footage, and an increased allowability of tent cities across the country aims to provide housing in an increasingly expensive housing market. While the Forbes piece does not identify differences between urban and rural places, a new data analysis from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania verifies anecdotal reports about increased home sales in that state’s rural counties, while sales have fallen in its urban areas.

Postal Service plan for cost savings raises concerns about disproportionate rural impacts.

Researchers who study the U.S. Postal Service raise concerns about possible “catastrophic” impacts for rural communities due to cost cutting efforts in a recent article in the Daily Yonder. Citing a National Farmers Union statement, the article notes that rural residents disproportionately depend on the Postal Service to receive medication, vote, communicate with friends and family, cash checks, and conduct business.

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including tribes).

Vol. 50, No. 21

TOP STORIES

Some funding needs get short-term solutions in Congress, others still pending.

A continuing resolution funds the federal government through December 3 and provides new disaster recovery funds. The debt limit has also been extended into early December. As negotiations continue in Congress to reduce the cost of the budget reconciliation bill, H.R. 5376, HAC has issued a statement supporting the proposed rural housing and development resources.

Torres Small confirmed for USDA post, first state directors named.

The Senate confirmed Xochitl Torres Small on October 8 to serve as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development. On October 12 the White House and USDA announced that Rural Development State Directors have been appointed for Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Chopra starts work at CFPB; hearings held for HUD nominees.

Rohit Chopra took office as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on October 12, having been confirmed by the Senate on September 30. Three HUD assistant secretary nominees received tie votes in the Senate Banking Committee on October 5, delaying their confirmations. They include David Uejio, who has been acting director of the CFPB and is nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, as well as Julia R. Gordon for Housing/FHA and Solomon J. Greene for Policy Development and Research. The Banking Committee held hearings October 7 on additional HUD nominations but has not voted on those yet.

Register now for 2021 Virtual HAC National Rural Housing Conference!

HAC invites you to join us virtually on November 30-December 3! This year’s conference features more than 30 workshops, where participants will interact and engage around best practices for rural housing and community development, organizational management, and resource development. The Conference also includes a pre-conference day with gatherings for coalitions, associations, and working groups. Register by October 21 for the best rates. For more information, contact HAC staff, 404-892-4824.

RuralSTAT

There were 12,400 reported deaths associated with COVID-19 in rural communities in September, a 142% increase over deaths in August. Source: HAC tabulations of public health data from the New York Times. A Rural Research Note on COVID-19 in Rural America: October 6, 2021 is available here.

OPPORTUNITIES

USDA posts instructions for strategic community plan setasides.

In FY22, projects that support multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic community investment plans will be eligible for setaside funds in certain RD programs: Community Facility Loans, Grants, and Guaranteed Loans; Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loans; Water and Waste Loans and Grants; Rural Business Development Grants; and Community Connect Grants. To apply for the Strategic Economic and Community Development Program setaside, submit a form with the application to the relevant program. For more information, contact an RD state office.

NEW! HAC seeks Housing Specialist and Community Facilities Housing Specialist.

• The Housing Specialist is primarily based in either the Southwest or Western states (within two hours of a major airport) and works with local partner organizations to identify financial resources and funding opportunities to support the preservation and development of affordable housing and community and economic development strategies specifically throughout expanses of Southwest and/or Western rural America. This position is remote location eligible.
• The Community Facilities Housing Specialist identifies and engages community stakeholders and provides direct technical assistance to rural organizations that are developing facilities such as parks, community centers, public libraries and childcare centers. This is a two-year position and is eligible for telecommuting.

REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

FEMA asks for input on floodplain management.

FEMA requests public views on revising the National Flood Insurance Program’s floodplain management standards, including what standards communities should adopt to become safer, stronger, and more resilient. Comments are due December 13. For more information, contact Rachel Sears, FEMA, 202-646-4105.

HUD to require eviction protections for assisted tenants.

During emergencies, including the current coronavirus pandemic, a new interim final rule will require owners of HUD-assisted properties to notify tenants about emergency rent relief and to wait 30 days between notification and eviction. The provisions will apply to public housing and properties with project-based rental assistance (Section 8, Section 8 Mod Rehab, Section 202, Section 811, and Section 236). The rule takes effect on November 8 and comments are due that day. For more information on public or Indian housing, email HUD staff at PIH-COVID@hud.gov; on other multifamily programs, email mfcommunications@hud.gov.

Details released on Emergency Rental Assistance reallocation.

Guidance issued October 4 by the Treasury Department explains how unspent funds from the first round of Emergency Rental Assistance (under the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act) will be reallocated. Treasury will examine the programs, plans, and needs of states and localities that did not obligate at least 65% of their ERA1 funds by September 30 to determine what funds to reallocate. Data to identify those places is not yet available. Grantees that did meet the 65% threshold can request funds be reallocated to them. Treasury will not recapture funds from Indian Tribes, tribally designated housing entities, or U.S. territories prior to April 2022.

VA loan deferment option extended.

Servicers of Department of Veterans Affairs mortgages may continue offering loan deferment as a coronavirus-related home retention option, the VA has announced. Other relief options also remain available into 2023. For more information, contact a VA lender or VA loan staff, 1-877-827-3702.

USDA announces 1-800 number for rental housing.

USDA now offers a toll-free phone number for stakeholders, tenants, and the general public to obtain information about the department’s multifamily housing programs: 1-800-292-8293. The multifamily office’s website has also been updated to make staff contact information easy to find.

Area loan limits revised for Section 502 direct and 504 in some places.

A USDA Rural Development email bulletin summarizes the changes.

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

USDA obligations fell in FY21 for most housing programs.

HAC’s preliminary annual analysis found that overall dollar levels for the USDA rural housing programs’ FY21 loan and grant obligations were about 1.4% lower than FY 20 and the number of obligations was down about 8.3%. The Section 502 direct program used $1.0 billion for 5,355 loans, nearly the same dollar amount but fewer loans than last year. About 36% of Section 502 loan dollars obligated and over 43% of loans were for very low-income applicants. Obligations for the Section 502 guarantee program and the multifamily programs were also generally lower than last year, and fewer Section 542 vouchers were issued. There were more Section 521 Rental Assistance units this year, supported by American Rescue Plan funds. HAC will publish a more detailed FY21 report.

Crisis models address family homelessness.

Immediate and Flexible Crisis Options for Children and Families, a brief and two videos released by the Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response, focus on crisis options for homeless families, paired with strong housing exits. One case study is rural and the Framework says other models can be replicated, adapted, and scaled up or down as needed.

Much Hispanic wealth is in residential property.

The 2021 State of Hispanic Wealth Report from the Hispanic Wealth Project shows that Hispanics may be on track to achieve wealth goals the project set for 2024. Their wealth is not well diversified, however, with residential property values (both their own homes and investment properties) making up 52% of Latino assets. The pandemic has impacted the stability of these assets: as of March 2021, Latino home loan borrowers were 2.3 times more likely to be in forbearance and 1.5 times more likely to be delinquent on mortgage payments than non-Hispanic white borrowers.

Equity considered in two webinars.

• Shared Prosperity: Driving Change Towards an Equitable Rural Economy explored the positive economic and social potential that comes with improving racial equity in rural places. Related materials are posted online and a recording of the session will be added. This was one of the Rural Opportunity and Development (ROAD) Sessions, virtual exchanges co-designed and hosted by the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, HAC, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Rural LISC, and the Federal Reserve Board.
• Building Equity into Federal Investments for Housing Resilience, a Joint Center for Housing Studies webinar, examined how to address the ways that federal efforts to make housing and communities more resilient to disasters, especially climate-related hazards, often devalue people and undervalue or overlook the possessions of people of low wealth and communities of color. A related report, Equitable Investments in Infrastructure: A Review of Benefit-Cost Analysis in Federal Flood Mitigation Infrastructure, was published by the Urban Institute.

“Worst case” rental housing needs changed little from 2017 to 2019.

Only 62 affordable rental units were available for every 100 very low-income renters in 2019, according to HUD’s Worst Case Housing Needs: 2021 Report to Congress. Data is not yet available on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and economic recession that began in 2020. Households with worst case needs are defined as renters with very low incomes (at or below 50% of area median income) who do not receive government housing assistance and pay more than half their income for rent, live in severely inadequate conditions, or both. In 2019 there were 7.77 million such renter households in the U.S., 42.2% of all very low-income renters. About 74% of worst case renters in 2019 had extremely low incomes (at or below 30% of area median), the highest proportion since 2005.

38% of Black rural southerners lack home internet access.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies conducted research on Affordability and Availability: Expanding Broadband in the Black Rural South across 152 rural counties in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The research found that 38% of rural Black southerners lack home internet access, and one in four do not have broadband options available around their homes.

Flooding risk assessed for every county.

The 3rd National Risk Assessment: Infrastructure on the Brink, published by the First Street Foundation, identifies flood risks to homes, roads, businesses, and other infrastructure. Risk is increasing significantly along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, with large increases in the Northwest and a concentration in the Appalachian Mountain region. Seventeen of the top 20 most at-risk counties in the U.S. are in Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, and West Virginia.

Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC’s loan fund provides low interest rate loans to support single- and multifamily affordable housing projects for low-income rural residents throughout the U.S. and territories. Capital is available for all types of affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including preservation, new development, farmworker, senior and veteran housing. HAC loan funds can be used for pre-development, site acquisition, site development, construction/rehabilitation and permanent financing. Contact HAC’s loan fund staff at hacloanfund@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

Please note: HAC is not able to offer loans to individuals or families. Borrowers must be nonprofit or for-profit organizations or government entities (including tribes).