USDA funding Archives

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HAC News: October 14, 2015

October 14, 2015/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

October 14, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 21

• Deadline approaches for rural veteran housing projects • Celebration of Service supports rural veterans through November 11 • Hensarling request for suggestions includes USDA housing programs • FY15 USDA housing spending went mostly to guarantees, rental assistance • USDA implements integrated mortgage disclosure for direct Section 502 and 504 loans • Bill would authorize preservation program, allow some lenders to approve Section 502 guarantees • Section 8 OCAFs set • HUD issues guidance on determining homeless status of youth • Child poverty fell in 2014 but remains higher than in 2009 • Profiles show housing affordability for renters by state and locality

HAC News Formats. pdf

October 14, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 21

Deadline approaches for rural veteran housing projects. The Home Depot Foundation will make grants to nonprofits, tribally designated housing entities, and housing authorities serving veterans at or below 80% of area median income in rural areas. Projects may be new construction or rehab, temporary or permanent housing, in progress or beginning within 12 months. Concept papers are due October 30. Contact Shonterria Charleston, HAC, 404-892-4824.

Celebration of Service supports rural veterans through November 11. Each Monday until November 11, the Home Depot Foundation’s Team Depot Facebook page will highlight one of its nonprofit partners (HAC was featured September 21). For each like, comment, and share of these spotlight posts the foundation will donate $1 (up to $1 million total), which will be split between HAC and eight other nonprofits serving veterans. Dollars will also be donated for #ServiceSelfie posts on Twitter or Instagram.

Hensarling request for suggestions includes USDA housing programs. The September 30, 2015 HAC News reported that House Financial Services Committee Chair Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) seeks proposals for improvements to HUD and its programs. HAC has learned that the committee is also interested in ideas on USDA rural housing. The request includes specific topics for comment. Contact transformhousing@mail.house.gov.

FY15 USDA housing spending went mostly to guarantees, rental assistance. HAC’s analysis of USDA data shows that as of the end of September – the end of FY15 – USDA obligated 149,108 loans, loan guarantees, and grants totaling about $19.9 billion. This is $312 million less and 4,743 fewer (in number) obligations than at the same time last year. About 94% of the total loan and grant dollars obligated represent Section 502 guaranteed loans. USDA also obligated 249,468 units of tenant assistance representing over $1.1 billion through the Section 521 Rental Assistance and Section 542 Rural Housing Voucher programs. This represents about $19.96 million or 7,051 fewer units than this time last year. Watch the HAC News and ruralhome.org for a more detailed analysis of FY15 spending. Contact Michael Feinberg, HAC, 202-842-8600.

USDA implements integrated mortgage disclosure for direct Section 502 and 504 loans. A Section 502 or 504 loan is now subject to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s new Truth in Lending Act and Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act Integrated Mortgage Disclosures (TRID) rule if a security interest will be taken on the property. In an email to stakeholders, USDA RD explains this regulation is expected to impact almost every aspect of mortgage transactions. RD has developed training materials and conducted webinars for its staff, and will issue an Unnumbered Letter. Sign up online to receive emails with information about RD’s single-family housing programs.

Bill would authorize preservation program, allow some lenders to approve Section 502 guarantees. The Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act, H.R. 3700, was recently introduced by Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO). It includes two provisions for USDA rural housing programs: it would authorize the Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization demonstration that has been funded for several years, and would allow USDA to delegate its Section 502 loan guarantee authority to preferred lenders. It would make a number of changes to HUD programs, some relating to income calculations and limits; it would also allow public housing agencies to create replacement reserves, extend the Family Unification Program, create inspection policies for PHAs’ units, and change utility reimbursements.

Section 8 OCAFs set. HUD’s new operating cost adjustment factors will apply to Section 8 project-based assistance contracts with anniversary dates on or after February 11, 2016. Contact Stan Houle, HUD, 202-402-2572.

HUD issues guidance on determining homeless status of youth. The document uses hypothetical scenarios to help providers understand how youth meet HUD’s definition of homelessness to receive Continuum of Care or Emergency Solutions Grants housing and services. An October 28 webinar will review the guidance and provide over-views of resources available to serve youth who meet and do not meet HUD’s definition of homeless.

Child poverty fell in 2014 but remains higher than in 2009. Research from the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire analyzing American Community Survey data found that child poverty declined in rural places, suburbs, and cities, with the largest declines in rural America. Overall poverty rates are 38.4% for African-American children, 13.0% for non-Hispanic white children, and 32.1% for Hispanic children. Half (51.1%) of all rural African-American children live in poverty.

Profiles show housing affordability for renters by state and locality. The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Housing Profiles, updated with Out of Reach 2015 data (see HAC News, 5/27/15), give one-page snapshots of affordable rental housing stock and affordability in each state and congressional district.

HAC News: August 19, 2015

August 19, 2015/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

August 19, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 17

• USDA launches “all hands” effort to spend Section 502 direct • The Home Depot Foundation seeks proposals for rural veteran housing projects • 2015-2017 housing goals set for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac • HUD issues voucher portability final rule and Section 8 renewal guidebook • RA management requirements continue • MPR funding notice corrected • RD letter tells how to reconcile Section 538 and Section 515 for preservation • Mortgage disclosures date delayed • Disaster staffing toolkit available for multifamily housing • SAMHSA offers rural homelessness webinars • USDA reports on child poverty in nonmetro counties • Hurricane Katrina tenth anniversary approaches • Two HAC trainings offered September 15-16

HAC News Formats. pdf

August 19, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 17

USDA LAUNCHES “ALL HANDS” EFFORT TO SPEND SECTION 502 DIRECT. Unable to use all of its Section 502 direct funding in the last few years, the agency has taken steps to facilitate loan processing before FY15 ends on September 30. A letter from RD Under Secretary Lisa Mensah reminds all Rural Development employees of temporary measures available, including obligation of loans subject to obtaining acceptable appraisals and (for new construction) plan certifications. Overtime is authorized for staff to process applications. The agency also seeks help from local partners, including submission of new applications. Funds were divided among states earlier in the fiscal year but are now available in all states on a first-come, first-served basis. More details are posted on HAC’s website. Contact a state or local USDA RD office.

THE HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR RURAL VETERAN HOUSING PROJECTS. Awards will go to nonprofits, tribally designated housing entities, and housing authorities serving veterans at or below 80% of area median income in rural areas. Projects may be new construction or rehab, temporary or permanent housing, in progress or beginning within 12 months. Concept papers are due October 30. Contact Shonterria Charleston, HAC, 404-892-4824.

2015-2017 HOUSING GOALS SET FOR FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MAC. The Federal Housing Finance Agency established identical benchmarks for both Fannie and Freddie in all categories, requiring the housing finance entities to purchase mortgages on affordable single- and multifamily properties. There are no specifically rural goals, but for the first time there is a goal for rental units in small multifamily properties (five to fifty units). Contact Ted Wartell, FHFA, 202-649-3157.

HUD ISSUES VOUCHER PORTABILITY FINAL RULE AND SECTION 8 RENEWAL GUIDEBOOK. The regulation is intended to improve the Housing Choice Voucher program’s portability process for voucher holders to move between jurisdictions. Contact Becky Primeaux, HUD, 202-708-0477. The updated guidebook is effective November 5, 2015.

RA MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS CONTINUE. An Unnumbered Letter dated July 2, 2015 confirms the National Office must approve all transfers of Section 521 Rental Assistance. Contact Stephanie White, USDA, 202-720-1615.

MPR FUNDING NOTICE CORRECTED. A USDA notice rectifies small errors in the announcement of available Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization funds (see HAC News, 8/5/15). The deadline remains December 1. Contact a Housing Programs Specialist at a USDA RD State Office.

RD LETTER TELLS HOW TO RECONCILE SECTION 538 AND SECTION 515 FOR PRESERVATION. An Unnumbered Letter dated July 30, 2015 addresses the procedural differences between the two programs when a Section 538 guaranteed loan is being used to preserve a property with a Section 515 loan. Contact Tammy S. Daniels, RD, 202-720-0021.

MORTGAGE DISCLOSURES DATE DELAYED. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures rule takes effect October 3, 2015 rather than August 1. Contact Pedro De Oliveira, CFPB, 202-435-7700.

DISASTER STAFFING TOOLKIT AVAILABLE FOR MULTIFAMILY HOUSING. The toolkit, released by Enterprise Community Partners and HUD, is intended to help organizations develop comprehensive disaster staffing plans to protect buildings, engage residents, and continue business operations in the event of a disaster. The toolkit and other resources are online.

SAMHSA OFFERS RURAL HOMELESSNESS WEBINARS. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is holding several free webinars through the end of August. Register online.

USDA REPORTS ON CHILD POVERTY IN NONMETRO COUNTIES. The Economic Research Service found nonmetro child poverty increased from 19% in 2000 to 26% in 2013. Rates tended to be higher in counties with high proportions of minority residents. “Understanding the Geography of Growth in Rural Child Poverty” and a gallery of charts link the rise to weak job markets and increases in single-parent families, noting also that changes in family structure could be connected to job market problems.

HURRICANE KATRINA TENTH ANNIVERSARY APPROACHES. The Times-Picayune offers information on the August 29, 2015 disaster and commemoration events; Census Bureau data indicate changes in population, housing stock, and more; and a HUD press release summarizes the department’s recovery efforts.

TWO HAC TRAININGS OFFERED SEPTEMBER 15-16. The cost is $75 each for these courses in North Charleston, SC. Register online for Sharpening Your Skills: Financial Management for Rural Nonprofits or Utilizing the LIHTC Program: Creating and Preserving Affordable Housing. Contact Shonterria Charleston, HAC, 404-892-4824.

HAC News: August 5, 2015

August 5, 2015/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

August 5, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 16

• Americans with Disabilities Act turns 25 • FY16 appropriations stall • USDA offers debt deferral for maturing mortgages as well as MPR preservation funds • HUD has funding for fair housing, Jobs Plus, and Main Street • Rural broadband loans and loan guarantees available, new rule published • Tenants displaced by maturing mortgages eligible for LOPEs • USDA proposes changes to multifamily owners’ financial reporting • Promise Zone comments requested • HUD suggests changes to faith-based organizations regulations • Inspector General recommends reducing number of overincome families in public housing • HAC explains federal funding and sequestration • Two HAC trainings offered September 15-16

HAC News Formats. pdf

August 5, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 16

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT TURNS 25. A presidential proclamation recognizes July 26, 2015 as the 25th anniversary of the ADA. Additional information is online from HUD and the Justice Department.

FY16 APPROPRIATIONS STALL. All 12 spending bills have passed the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, but further progress seems unlikely. Legislators do not agree whether to continue sequestration, and the Administration has written a series of letters asking Congress to reverse sequestration and make “commonsense” cuts for FY16, focusing most recently on the Senate Appropriations Committee’s USDA appropriations bill. The House is in recess and the Senate goes out of session after this week, with both houses returning on September 8. A Continuing Resolution is likely for at least the early part of FY16.

USDA OFFERS DEBT DEFERRAL FOR MATURING MORTGAGES AS WELL AS MPR PRESERVATION FUNDS. The Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization demonstration can be used for existing Section 515 and Section 514/516 properties. No additional Section 521 Rental Assistance is available. Properties with USDA multifamily mortgages maturing on or before December 31, 2018 are eligible for debt deferral to extend the affordable use of the housing and continue its RA eligibility. Applications that request debt deferrals and also other MPR funding tools are due December 1. Applications requesting only debt deferral are due December 31. Contact a Housing Programs Specialist at a USDA RD State Office.

HUD HAS FUNDING FOR FAIR HOUSING, JOBS PLUS, AND MAIN STREET. Fair housing organizations and other nonprofits can apply by August 26 for Fair Housing Initiative Program funds; contact Myron P. Newry, HUD, 202-402-7095. Applications from PHAs are due September 28 for the Jobs Plus Pilot; contact HUD staff, jobsplus@hud.gov. Small communities’ governments are eligible for the HOPE VI Main Street Grant Program with an August 27 deadline; contact Lawrence Gnessin, HUD.

RURAL BROADBAND LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES AVAILABLE, NEW RULE PUBLISHED. Get an application guide online or request one from Shawn Arner, RUS, 202-720-0800. Deadline is September 30. Comments are due September 28 on an interim rule that implements changes made by the 2014 Farm Bill. Contact Kenneth Kuchno, RUS, 202-720-9554.

TENANTS DISPLACED BY MATURING MORTGAGES ELIGIBLE FOR LOPEs. Tenants who cannot stay in their Section 515 apartments because of rent increases after the mortgage expires are now entitled to receive Letters of Priority Entitlement giving them priority on the waiting lists of other Section 515 properties. Contact a USDA RD State Office.

USDA PROPOSES CHANGES TO MULTIFAMILY OWNERS’ FINANCIAL REPORTING. To reduce the burden on owners, RD suggests removing engagement requirements and unit-based requirements for annual financial reporting on Section 515 and 514/516 properties and replacing them with risk-based audit requirements based on HUD’s. Comments are due in early October. Contact Stephanie White, USDA, 202-720-1615.

PROMISE ZONE COMMENTS REQUESTED. The third and final round of the Promise Zones Initiative will select five urban communities, one rural, and one tribal. Comments on the proposed selection process, criteria and submissions are due September 28. Contact Bryan Herdliska, PromiseZones@hud.gov, 202-402-6758.

HUD SUGGESTS CHANGES TO FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS REGULATIONS. The revisions would implement an Executive Order that clarifies religious providers are welcome to compete for federal funding and provides protections for program beneficiaries, including a referral process for those who object to an organization’s religious character. Comments are due in early October. Contact Paula Lincoln, HUD, 202-708-2404.

INSPECTOR GENERAL RECOMMENDS REDUCING NUMBER OF OVERINCOME FAMILIES IN PUBLIC HOUSING. HUD OIG Audit Report Number 2015-PH-0002, Overincome Families Residing in Public Housing Units, says over 25,000 families in public housing have incomes over the eligibility limits because HUD gives public housing authorities discretion to set policies that would require overincome families to move and some PHAs allow them to stay. The study included PHAs of all sizes. OIG recommends that HUD direct housing authorities to establish policies to reduce the number of overincome families in public housing, so more eligible low-income families can receive housing assistance.

HAC EXPLAINS FEDERAL FUNDING AND SEQUESTRATION. The Federal Budget, Appropriations, Sequestration and Rural Communities: Expanding the Conversation, a new HAC policy note, tells how spending caps impact housing programs.

HAC News: July 22, 2015

July 22, 2015/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

July 22, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 15

• Senate committee passes USDA FY16 spending bill • Small Building Risk Sharing Initiative launched • OMB issues 2015 Circular A-133 compliance supplement • HHUD requests comments on AFFH Assessment Tool • Child poverty persists, 2015 Kids Count data show • “50 Years, 50,000 Homes” celebrated in HAC’s magazine • HAC is hiring for three positions

HAC News Formats. pdf

July 22, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 15

SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES USDA FY16 SPENDING BILL. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved S. 1800 on July 16, with most rural housing program funding at the same levels as the measure passed by the House Appropriations Committee on July 8. Like the House bill, the Senate rejects a cut in Section 523 self-help funding, prohibits early renewal of Rental Assistance contracts that run out of funds before the end of their one-year terms, and does not impose a minimum rent on tenants. The Senate committee’s report says the committee has asked GAO to study maturing multifamily mortgages and to review USDA’s calculations of the amount of RA needed. It encourages USDA to continue its rental preservation efforts and tells the agency its FY17 budget request should show “the true amount needed to renew all expiring rental assistance contracts.” Floor votes have not been scheduled in either chamber. [tdborder][/tdborder]

USDA Rural Dev. Prog. (dollars in millions)	FY13 Approp.^a	FY14 Approp.	FY15 Approp.	FY16 Budget Proposal	FY16 House Cmte. Bill (H.R. 3049)	FY16 Senate Cmte. Bill (S. 1800)
502 Single Fam. Direct Self-Help setaside	$900 5	$900 5	$900 5	$900 0	$900 5	$900 5
502 Single Family Guar.	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000
504 VLI Repair Loans	28	26.3	26.3	26.3	26.3	26.3
504 VLI Repair Grants	29.5	28.7	28.7	26	28.7	28.7
515 Rental Hsg. Direct Lns.	31.3	28.4	28.4	42.3	28.4	28.4
514 Farm Labor Hsg. Lns.	20.8	23.9	23.6	23.9	23.9	23.6
516 Farm Labor Hsg. Grts.	7.1	8.3	8.3	8.3	8.3	8.3
521 Rental Assistance	907.1	1,110	1,089	1,172	1,167	1,167
523 Self-Help TA	30	25	27.5	10	27.5	27.5
533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants	3.6	3.5	3.5	0	3.5	3.5
538 Rental Hsg. Guar.	150	150	150	200	150	200
Rental Prsrv. Demo. (MPR)	17.8	20	17	19	17	17
542 Rural Hsg. Vouchers	10	12.6	7	15	7	7
Rural Cmnty. Dev’t Init.	6.1	6	4	4	4	4
a. Figures shown do not include 5% sequester or 2.5% across the board cut.

SMALL BUILDING RISK SHARING INITIATIVE LAUNCHED. HUD is implementing an initiative proposed in 2013 (see HAC News, 11/13/13), to facilitate the financing of small multifamily properties through risk sharing. CDFIs, nonprofit lenders, and public and quasi-public agencies can apply at any time for designation as Qualified Participating Entities; for-profit lenders can apply beginning in January 2016. QPEs will underwrite, originate, and service loans for acquisition, refinancing, rehab, and/or equity take outs, but not new construction, up to $3 million (or $5 million in HUD-designated ‘‘High Cost Areas”). HUD will share 50% of the risk. Contact Diana Talios, HUD, 202-402-7125.

OMB ISSUES 2015 CIRCULAR A-133 COMPLIANCE SUPPLEMENT. The supplement will apply to audits of fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2014. Comments are due October 31. Contact a federal awarding agency.

HUD REQUESTS COMMENTS ON AFFH ASSESSMENT TOOL. Jurisdictions will use the tool for assessments required by HUD’s new Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule (see HAC News, 7/8/15). Comments are due August 17. Contact Camille E. Acevedo, HUD, 202-708-1793.

CHILD POVERTY PERSISTS, 2015 KIDS COUNT DATA SHOW. The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual research found improvements in child health and education, but the number of U.S. children living in high-poverty neighborhoods is the highest since 1990. One in four children in the U.S. lives in a low-income working family, and economic indicators are lowest for children of color. Data are presented for the U.S. and for each state, county, school district, and congresssional district.

“50 YEARS, 50,000 HOMES” CELEBRATED IN HAC’S MAGAZINE. The latest issue of Rural Voices marks the 50th anniversary of the self-help housing program and recognizes the achievements of the nonprofit sponsors, the USDA programs, and the families who have become successful homeowners. Sign up online to receive email notices when new issues are published.

HAC IS HIRING FOR THREE POSITIONS. HAC seeks a Housing Specialist in Albuquerque, Atlanta, Kansas City, Sacramento, or Washington, DC; a Loan Officer/Underwriter in Washington, DC; and a Development Manager in Washington, DC. Visit HAC’s website for job descriptions and application information.

HAC News: July 8, 2015

July 8, 2015/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

July 8, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 14

• USDA FY16 funding bill approved by House committee • Congress moving to reduce funding for ACS and Census preparation • Family Self-Sufficiency grants offered • HUD publishes final Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule • Wages and jobs similar for H2-A and undocumented workers, housing not, research finds • Foundation grants to rural places vary widely • Rental housing market discriminates against people who are deaf or use wheelchairs • AARP offers online Livability Index • Vouchers provide best results for urban homeless families in emergency shelter • HAC reports on USDA rural housing activity in FY14

HAC News Formats. pdf

July 8, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 14

USDA FY16 FUNDING BILL APPROVED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE. The House Appropriations Committee passed the still unnumbered bill on July 8, making no changes in its housing provisions (see HAC News, 6/25/15). The Senate committee has not yet begun work on a USDA appropriations bill.

CONGRESS MOVING TO REDUCE FUNDING FOR ACS AND CENSUS PREPARATION. Different versions of H.R. 2578, the FY16 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill, passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 11 and the full House on June 3. The Census Project reports that, by cutting funds for the accounts that cover the American Community Survey and preparation for the 2020 Decennial Census, both bills would reduce data availability. HAC commented on the subject for the Daily Yonder and to the Census Bureau.

FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY GRANTS OFFERED. Public housing agencies and tribes or their housing entities can apply for grants by July 27. FSS coordinators may work with either voucher recipients or public housing residents. Contact HUD staff, fss@hud.gov.

HUD PUBLISHES FINAL AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING RULE. The rule, released July 8, is intended to help communities receiving HUD funds to meet their fair housing obligations. HUD will provide data, maps and technical assistance. Ask AFFH questions online at https://www.hudexchange.info/get-assistance/my-question/. Contact George D. Williams, Sr., HUD, 866-234-2689 (toll free).

WAGES AND JOBS SIMILAR FOR H2-A AND UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS, HOUSING NOT, RESEARCH FINDS. Authorized Status, Limited Returns: The Labor Market Outcomes of Temporary Mexican Workers, published by the Economic Policy Institute, compares temporary workers with H2-A agricultural visas and H2-B non-agricultural visas to unauthorized workers and legal permanent residents. The temporary workers have jobs with the lowest occupational standing and earn about as much as unauthorized workers. H-2A workers’ total compensation levels are higher than those of undocumented agricultural workers, however, because their employers must provide housing at no cost. A USDA Economic Research Service analysis estimates legalization would raise unauthorized farmworkers’ incomes by about 4%. A panel discussion by these researchers and others exploring immigration status and wages is online.

FOUNDATION GRANTS TO RURAL PLACES VARY WIDELY. In Foundation Grants to Rural Areas from 2005 to 2010: Trends and Patterns, USDA’s Economic Research Service estimates that 6% to 7% of total U.S. foundation grants benefited nonmetro areas in 2010, when those places had 19% of the U.S. population. The total value of 2010 rural grants for all purposes is estimated to be about the same as USDA RD grants that year, though significantly smaller than RD’s total rural support including loans and loan guarantees. Foundation grant value per rural person averaged about $88, but 18% of nonmetro counties had no grant recipients and some received over $10,000 per person.

RENTAL HOUSING MARKET DISCRIMINATES AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF OR USE WHEELCHAIRS. Discrimination in the Rental Housing Market Against People Who Are Deaf and People Who Use Wheelchairs: National Study Findings, prepared by the Urban Institute for HUD, reports on the first national paired-testing study involving such tenants. Researchers found “systematic evidence of unfavorable treatment.”

AARP OFFERS ONLINE LIVABILITY INDEX. Users can find overall ratings and ratings for seven categories (housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement, and opportunity) by entering addresses, states, counties, or zip codes at livabilityindex.aarp.org/. The index can also be customized to emphasize specific factors.

VOUCHERS PROVIDE BEST RESULTS FOR URBAN HOMELESS FAMILIES IN EMERGENCY SHELTER. HUD’s Family Options Study, conducted in several large cities,found that after 18 months families who were offered a housing voucher experienced significantly better outcomes than those families randomly assigned to any of three other options. Rapid rehousing was the least costly and transitional housing was the most expensive. Vouchers were deemed cost-effective because voucher costs were almost entirely offset by reductions in costs of other services such as emergency shelter.

HAC REPORTS ON USDA RURAL HOUSING ACTIVITY IN FY14. In FY14, which included a three-week government shutdown in October 2013, USDA made the lowest number of Section 502 direct loans since 1961. About $91.9 million in Section 502 direct funds designated for very low-income households were unused. Most Section 515 rental housing funds went for rehabilitation of existing units. About 19,700 Section 521 Rental Assistance contracts did not need to be renewed because they are still operating on funds obligated in past years. USDA Rural Development Housing Obligations: Fiscal Year 2014 Year-End Report includes tables and maps showing obligation data by program and by state, and data by fiscal year for each program since its inception. Contact Mike Feinberg, HAC, 202-842-8600.

HAC News: June 25, 2014

June 25, 2014/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

June 25, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 13

• USDA and HUD funding stalls in Senate • HUD and OMB nominations proceed • Obama visits Standing Rock Reservation, HUD offers ICDBG funds • USDA will make rural broadband grants • ROSS funds and Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants available • Final changes made to project-based and tenant-based voucher programs • HUD implements FY14 appropriations law provisions • USDA RD to monitor Section 502 direct delinquencies more closely • Travel scholarships available for HUD CHDO workshops on new HOME rule • Rural housing obligations lag, NRHC expresses concern about 502 direct • Elders in HUD-subsidized housing have greater health needs than peers • State of the Nation’s Housing report to be released June 26

June 25, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 13

USDA AND HUD FUNDING STALLS IN SENATE. On June 19 the Senate halted progress, at least temporarily, on FY15 spending bills after Republicans and Democrats were unable to agree on a process for offering and voting on amendments to a mini-omnibus package (H.R. 4660) that combined three funding bills, including USDA and Transportation-HUD. Negotiations continue but it now appears more likely that a continuing resolution will be needed to start the new fiscal year on October 1. Both Senate and House had been moving quickly on the 2015 spending bills. The House has passed its T-HUD bill and put discussion of its USDA bill on hold indefinitely (see HAC News, 6/11/14).

HUD AND OMB NOMINATIONS PROCEED. On June 25, Senate committees voted to support the nominations of Julian Castro for HUD Secretary and Shaun Donovan for OMB director (see HAC News, 5/28/14). On June 19, the Senate confirmed Gustavo Velasquez Aguilar as HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

OBAMA VISITS STANDING ROCK RESERVATION, HUD OFFERS ICDBG FUNDS. On June 13 President and Mrs. Obama spent time in Cannonball, ND, in only the third visit by a sitting president to Indian Country. The trip focused on education and jobs; neither Obama’s announcement of the visit nor his remarks that day mentioned housing. HUD did announce its NOFA for FY14 Indian Community Development Block Grants the same day. Applications are due July 29. The contact person for the NOFA is Roberta Youmans, HUD, 202-402-3316.

USDA WILL MAKE RURAL BROADBAND GRANTS. Nonprofits, for-profits, tribes, and state or local governments are eligible for Community Connect grants to provide broadband service to areas currently without it. Deadline is July 7. Contact Rural Utilities Service, community.connect@wdc.usda.gov, 202-690-4673.

ROSS FUNDS AND CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING GRANTS AVAILABLE. PHAs, tribes, tribal housing entities, resident associations, and nonprofits can apply by August 18 for the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency – Service Coordinators Program to coordinate supportive services and activities for public and Indian housing residents. Contact Dina Lehmann-Kim, HUD, 202-402-2430. PHAs, tribal entities, local governments, and nonprofits can apply by August 12 for Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants to develop revitalization plans. Contact ChoiceNeighborhoods@hud.gov.

FINAL CHANGES MADE TO PROJECT-BASED AND TENANT-BASED VOUCHER PROGRAMS. The final regulation follows a proposed rule published in May 2012 (see HAC News, 5/16/12). Contact Michael Dennis, HUD, 202-402-3882.

HUD IMPLEMENTS FY14 APPROPRIATIONS LAW PROVISIONS. Changes include defining “extremely low-income families” as having incomes below the poverty level or 30% of Area Median Income, authorizing housing inspections every two years instead of annually, and capping some utility allowances. Contact Michael Dennis, HUD, 202-402-4059.

USDA RD TO MONITOR SECTION 502 DIRECT DELINQUENCIES MORE CLOSELY. An Unnumbered Letter dated June 12, 2014 requires states (not identified in the UL) with first and second year delinquency rates higher than the national average to use an Underwriting, Pre-Closing and Compliance Tool. RD will provide state offices with reports showing performance at the county level. Contact Migdaliz Bernier or Brooke Baumann, RD, 202-720-1474.

TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR HUD CHDO WORKSHOPS ON NEW HOME RULE. “CHDO Workshop: Understanding the 2013 HOME Final Rule” will be offered in many locations in July and August. Registration is free for CHDO staff. HUD has some travel scholarships available, funded partly by HAC. Contact Rachael Ballard, rballard@tdainc.org, 203-241-2410.

RURAL HOUSING OBLIGATIONS LAG, NRHC EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT 502 DIRECT. HAC’s latest USDA RD Program Obligation Reportshows that, as of the end of May, USDA had obligated nearly $2.9 billion less than at the same time last year. The National Rural Housing Coalition has written to RHS Administrator Tony Hernandez expressing concern about the lag in Section 502 direct commitments and supporting increased attention and improved technology for processing direct loans. Subscribe at HAC’s website to receive email notices when HAC’s obligations reports are released monthly. Contact Michael Feinberg, HAC, 202-842-8600.

ELDERS IN HUD-SUBSIDIZED HOUSING HAVE GREATER HEALTH NEEDS THAN PEERS. Picture of Housing and Health: Medicare and Medicaid Use Among Older Adults in HUD-Assisted Housing, a report financed by HUD and HHS, reviewed data for 11 metro areas and the state of Vermont. HUD-assisted residents in the study areas were more likely to be dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, and were also sicker and more costly to both programs than their non-subsidized peers in the community.

STATE OF THE NATION’S HOUSING REPORT TO BE RELEASED JUNE 26. The annual study, supported in part by HAC, will be released by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies on a live webcast.

HAC News: June 11, 2014

June 11, 2014/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

June 11, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 12

• June is National Homeownership Month • HUD funding bills move forward, differences remain • House considers FY15 USDA bill, White House veto looms • House and Senate differ on requiring ACS responses • Section 533 HPG funds offered • USDA amends IRP regulations • Upcoming Trainings from HAC

June 11, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 12

June is National Homeownership Month. HUD and USDA press releases are online.

HUD funding bills move forward, differences remain. The full House on June 10 and the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 5 approved FY15 funding for HUD. The Senate, with many programs at 2014 levels or at the Obama budget’s level, provides higher amounts than the House for most HUD programs. Amendments adopted on the House floor prohibit funding from this bill being used for the Housing Trust Fund, forbid HUD implementation of a new Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule (see HAC News, 7/17/13), shift $10 million within the Homeless Assist-ance Grants account to the Rural Housing Stability Program, and move $10 million from HUD’s information technology account to the Fair Housing Initiatives Program.[tdborder][/tdborder]

HUD Program (dollars in millions)	FY13 Approp.^a	FY14 Approp.	FY15 Admin. Budget	FY15 House Bill H.R. 4745	FY15 Senate Bill S. 2438
Cmty. Devel. Fund CDBG	3,308 2,948	3,100 3,030	2,870 2,800	3,060 3,000	3,090 3,020
HOME SHOP setaside	1,000 b	1,000 b	950 10	700 10	950 0
Self-Help Homeownshp. (SHOP)	13.5	10	c	c	10
Tenant-Based Rental Asstnce. VASH setaside	18,939.4 75	19,177.2 75	20,100 75	19,356 75	19,562 75
Project-Based Rental Asstnce.	9,339.7	9,516.6	9,346	9,346	9,346
Public Hsg. Capital Fund	1,886	1,875	1,925	1,775	1,900
Public Hsg. Operating Fund	4,262	4,400	4,600	4,400	4,475
Choice Neighbrhd. Initiative	120	90	120	0	90
Housing Trust Fund	d	d	1,000	0	0
Native Amer. Hsg. Block Grant	650	650	650	650	650
Homeless Assistance Grantse	2,033	2,105	2,406.4	2,105	2,145
Hsg. Opps. for Persons w/ AIDS	334	330	332	303	330
202 Hsg. for Elderly	377	385.3	440	420	420
811 Hsg. for Disabled	165	126	160	135	135
Fair Housing	70.8	66	71	56	66
Healthy Homes & Lead Haz. Cntl.	120	110	120	70	110
Housing Counseling	45	45	60	45	49
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. Includes Rural Housing Stability Program.

House considers FY15 USDA bill, White House veto looms. The House begins floor debate June 11 on H.R. 4800, its USDA appropriations bill. The White House issued a veto threat, based primarily on the bill’s food and nutrition provisions, and encouraged adoption of all requested changes to the Section 521 Rental Assistance program.

House and Senate differ on requiring ACS responses. The FY15 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriations bill passed by the House on May 30 would make responses to the American Community Survey voluntary. On June 5 the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its companion spending bill, retaining the current requirement that those who receive the survey must respond. The ACS provides data on many subjects including housing conditions and costs, and research shows that making responses voluntary would seriously reduce the reliability of data for small areas and Indian reservations.

Section 533 HPG funds offered. Nonprofits, state or local governments, and tribes can submit preapplications by July 28 for Housing Preservation Grants. Contact a USDA RD state office for details and a preapplication package.

USDA amends IRP regulations. Changes to the Rural Business-Cooperative Service’s Intermediary Relending Program are intended to address items based on an Office of Inspector General audit and the 2014 Farm Bill. They will become final unless adverse comments are filed by August 4. Contact Lori A. Washington, RBS, 202-720-9815.

VISIT RURALHOME.ORGTO LEARN ABOUT UPCOMING HAC TRAINING AND WEBINARS on rehab, financial management, board basics, veterans housing, and more!

HAC News: May 28, 2014

May 28, 2014/in HAC News

HAC News Formats. pdf

May 28, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 11

• USDA funding bills advance without major cuts • House committee approves FY15 T-HUD bill • Senate committee passes housing finance reform bill • Donovan nominated for OMB, Castro for HUD • Section 538 guarantees for rental housing loans are available • Lead hazard funding NOFA issued • USDA offers Intermediary Relending Program funds • HUD allows alternative accessibility standard • HUD allows alternative accessibility standard • Housing counseling pilot proposed by FHA • 2014 OMB Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement available • National Standard for Healthy Housing released • Research briefs link housing with education, employment, health, and other outcomes • Advocates’ Guide to Housing and Community Development Policy available online and in print • Draft handbook for Section 502 guaranteed loans posted • Homelessness decreased slightly from 2012 to 2013, research finds • Rural Data Portal updated with 2008-2012 ACS Data

May 28, 2014
Vol. 43, No. 11

USDA FUNDING BILLS ADVANCE WITHOUT MAJOR CUTS. The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee passed its FY15 agriculture appropriations bill on May 20, and the full House committee will consider the measure on May 29. The full Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version, S. 2389, on May 22. Both bills reject many of the Administration’s budget proposals and retain funding for Section 502 direct loans, Section 523 self-help, and the capacity-building Rural Community Development Initiative. Neither house adopted the Administration’s request for minimum rents. Both bills include language prohibiting renewal of Section 521 Rental Assistance contracts that use up their funding before their full 12-month terms. The House bill supports expansion of the demonstration packaging program for Section 502 direct loans, while the Senate bill is silent on the matter.[tdborder][/tdborder]

USDA Rural Dev. Prog. (dollars in millions)	FY13 Approp.^a	FY14 Approp.	FY15 Admin. Budget	FY15 House Subcmte. Bill	FY15 Senate Cmte. Bill S. 2389
502 Single Fam. Direct Self-Help setaside	$900 5	$900 5	$360 0	$1,042 5	$900 5
502 Single Family Guar.	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000	24,000
504 VLI Repair Loans	28	26.3	26.3	26.4	26.3
504 VLI Repair Grants	29.5	28.7	25	27	28.7
515 Rental Hsg. Direct Lns.	31.3	28.4	28.4	28.3	28.4
514 Farm Labor Hsg. Lns.	20.8	23.9	23.9	23.6	23.8
516 Farm Labor Hsg. Grts.	7.1	8.3	8.3	8.3	8.3
521 Rental Assistance^b	907.1	1,110	1,089	1,089	1,094
523 Self-Help TA	30	25	10	30	25
533 Hsg. Prsrv. Grants	3.6	3.5	0	0	3.5
538 Rental Hsg. Guar.	150	150	150	150	150
Rental Prsrv. Demo. (MPR)	17.8	20	20	20	20
Rental Prsrv. Revlg. Lns.	0	0	0	0	0
542 Rural Hsg. Vouchers	10	12.6	8	8	8
Rural Cmnty. Dev’t Init.	6.1	6	0	5	6
a. Figures shown do not include 5% sequester or 2.5% across the board cut. b. None of the FY15 documents propose RA setasides for preservation or for new Section 514/516 housing. The final FY13 appropriation included a $3 million 514/516 setaside, and the final FY14 appropriation has no setasides.

HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES FY15 T-HUD BILL. On May 21 the full House Appropriations Committee passed the Transportation-HUD spending bill as reported by its T-HUD subcommittee and summarized in the May 14 HAC News. The Senate subcommittee is expected to consider its bill on June 3.

SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES HOUSING FINANCE REFORM BILL. S. 1217, the Johnson-Crapo Housing Finance Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act, was approved by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on May 15. The full Senate is not expected to vote on the bill, however, and it has not been introduced in the House. It is likely to provide a starting point for finance reform efforts in the next Congress.

DONOVAN NOMINATED FOR OMB, CASTRO FOR HUD. President Obama has nominated HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan to head the Office of Management and Budget, and San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro to replace Donovan at HUD. Both positions require Senate confirmation.

SECTION 538 GUARANTEES FOR RENTAL HOUSING LOANS ARE AVAILABLE. Funds can be used for new construction or acquisition with rehabilitation of affordable rural rental housing, including USDA-financed properties. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Contact Monica Cole, USDA, 202-720-1251.

LEAD HAZARD FUNDING NOFA ISSUED. States, local governments, and tribes can apply by June 27 for HUD’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grants or Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grants. Contact Michelle Miller, HUD, 202-402-5769.

USDA OFFERS INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM FUNDS. Intermediaries that relend funds for business facilities and community developments in rural areas can apply by June 30 for IRP loans. Contact a USDA RD state office.

HUD ALLOWS ALTERNATIVE ACCESSIBILITY STANDARD. HUD funding recipients may comply with accessibility requirements by using either the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design (with specific exceptions) or the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards. This instruction is effective from May 23 until HUD completes an update of its accessibility regulations. Contact Cheryl Kent, HUD, 202-402-7058.

HOUSING COUNSELING PILOT PROPOSED BY FHA. The Federal Housing Administration requests comments by July 14 on a four-year housing counseling pilot to be called Homeowners Armed With Knowledge (HAWK) for New Homebuyers. In exchange for participating, first-time homebuyers will get “substantial reductions” in the pricing of their FHA insurance. Email questions to housing.counseling@hud.gov with “HAWK Notice Question” in the subject line. Contact Arlene Nunes, HUD, 202-402-2532.

2014 OMB CIRCULAR A-133 COMPLIANCE SUPPLEMENT AVAILABLE. Comments on this year’s supplement are due October 31. Contact a federal awarding agency.

NATIONAL STANDARD FOR HEALTHY HOUSING RELEASED. The National Center for Healthy Housing and the American Public Health Association have issued a standard intended to be used by property owners, elected officials, code agency staff, and others. Written in code language for easy adoption, the document covers existing owner-occupied and rental housing. Contact NCHH, info@nchh.org, 410-992-0712.

RESEARCH BRIEFS LINK HOUSING WITH EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH, AND OTHER OUTCOMES. Produced by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s “How Housing Matters to Families and Communities Initiative, “ the briefs present findings from longer research pieces and are intended to help inform policy discussions.

ADVOCATES’ GUIDE TO HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICY AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN PRINT. The 2014 guide published by the National Low Income Housing Coalition provides brief overviews of housing programs and advocacy tools. To purchase a print copy, contact Christina Reyes, 202-662-1530 x224.

DRAFT HANDBOOK FOR SECTION 502 GUARANTEED LOANS POSTED. The handbook accompanies the program’s interim final rule, which was issued in December 2013 and will take effect on September 1, 2014. Contact USDA RD’s Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, 202-720-1452.

HOMELESSNESS DECREASED SLIGHTLY FROM 2012 TO 2013, RESEARCH FINDS. Nevertheless, nationally there are about 184,000 more homeless persons than beds available to assist them, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness’s State of Homelessness in America report for 2014.

HAC’s RURAL DATA PORTAL now features the most recent 2008-2012 American Community Survey (ACS) data. Visit www.ruraldataportal.org to start “taking stock” of your community today.

The RURAL DATA PORTAL is a simple, easy to use, on-line resource that provides essential information on the social, economic, and housing characteristics of communities in the United States.

The RURAL DATA PORTAL is targeted toward rural communities, but a wide range of information is presented for the nation, states, and counties for rural, suburban, and urban areas.

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