USDA Rural Development Obligations FY 17 – August

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The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) presents this month’s report on Fiscal Year 2017 USDA Rural Housing program obligations.

As of the end of July, USDA obligated 137,383 loans, loan guarantees, and grants totaling about $18.8 billion. This is about $2.57 billion more than obligation levels from the same time last year when there were 121,462 loans, loan guarantees, and grants obligated totaling about $16.3 billion.

Single Family Housing Program Highlights

The Section 502 Guaranteed loan program, the largest of the Single Family Housing programs, obligated $17.6 billion (122,910 loan guarantees) up from $15.0 billion (107,185) at the same time last year.

For the Section 502 Direct program, there have been over $911.7 million (6,573 loans), up from $853.9 million (6,349 loans) in loan obligations this time last year. Very low-income (VLI) loan obligations as a percentage of the total Section 502 Direct loan dollars was 37.6 percent, similar to the VLI obligation level at the same time last year.

The Section 504 Repair and Rehabilitation programs obligated 3,115 loans representing $17.8 million. As in the other single family housing programs, loan volume was up from this time last year (2,822 loans representing $15.4 million.) There were also $27.8 million (4,577 grants) obligated in the Section 504 grant program compared to $28.4 million (4,637 grants) at the same time last year.

There were also 6 credit sales of Single Family properties totaling $443,697.

Multi-Family Housing Programs.

USDA’s Section 538 Multifamily Housing obligated 80 loan guarantees totaling $135.9 million, down from 110 loan guarantees ($172.4 million.) In the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing program, there were 20 loans totaling $20.0 million obligated compared to 18 Section 515 loans were obligated this time last year totaling $18.0. For the Farm Labor Housing programs, USDA obligated 8 loans totaling $10.8 million and 1 grant compared to 16 loans ($25.2 million) and 9 grants ($14.4 million) this time last year. There were also 30 MPR loans and 2 grants totaling $21.8 million and $53,200 respectively, compared to 99 loans ($81.5 million) and 3 grants ($801,900) this time last year.

USDA obligated funds for 246,269 rental assistance units under the Section 521 Rental Assistance program totaling $1.09 billion. This compares to about 282,279 units ($1.3 billion) obligated same time last year. There were also 5,342 Rural Housing Vouchers totaling $21.0 million compared to 4,979 vouchers representing $18.2 million this time last year.

Download the combined document.

* The Rural Housing Service (RHS) monthly obligation reports are produced by the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) 1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington, DC 20005. The monthly figures derive from HAC tabulations of USDA –RHS 205c, d, and f report data. For questions or comments about the obligation reports, please contact Michael Feinberg at 202-842-8600 or michael@ruralhome.org.

USDA Rural Development Obligations FY 17 – July

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The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) presents this month’s report on Fiscal Year 2017 USDA Rural Housing program obligations.

As of the end of July, USDA obligated 121,665 loans, loan guarantees, and grants totaling about $16.7 billion. This is about $2.29 billion more than obligation levels from the same time last year when there were 108,061 loans, loan guarantees, and grants obligated totaling about $14.42 billion.

Single Family Housing Program Highlights

The Section 502 Guaranteed loan program, the largest of the Single Family Housing programs, obligated $15.7 billion (109,516 loan guarantees) up from $13.3 billion (95,400) at the same time last year.

For the Section 502 Direct program, there have been over $771 million (5,596 loans), up from $770 million (5,728 loans) in loan obligations this time last year. Very low-income (VLI) loan obligations as a percentage of the total Section 502 Direct loan dollars was 36.8 percent, exceeding the 34.9 percent VLI obligation level at the same time last year.

The Section 504 Repair and Rehabilitation programs obligated 2,605 loans representing $14.6 million. As in the other single family housing programs, loan volume was up from this time last year (2,417 loans representing $13.1 million.) There were also $22.9 million (3,774 grants) obligated in the Section 504 grant program compared to $25.8 million (4,217 grants) at the same time last year.

There were also 5 credit sales of Single Family properties totaling $410,780.

Multi-Family Housing Programs.

USDA’s Section 538 Multifamily Housing obligated 71 loan guarantees totaling $121.6 million, down from 79 loan guarantees ($142.4 million.) In the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing program, there were 10 loans totaling $10.5 million obligated. No Section 515 loans were obligated this time last year. For the Farm Labor Housing programs, USDA obligated 7 loans totaling $10.6 million and 0 grants compared to 7 loans ($5.2 million and 6 grants ($9.6 million) this time last year. There were also 30 MPR loans and 2 grants totaling $21.4 million and $53,200 respectively, compared to 97 loans ($80.9 million) and 3 grants ($801,900) this time last year.

USDA obligated funds for 194,472 rental assistance units under the Section 521 Rental Assistance program totaling $1.09 billion. This compares to about 252,792 units ($1.16 billion) obligated same time last year. There were also 5,011 Rural Housing Vouchers totaling $19.8 million compared to 4,718 vouchers representing $17.2 million this time last year.

Download the combined document.

* The Rural Housing Service (RHS) monthly obligation reports are produced by the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) 1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington, DC 20005. The monthly figures derive from HAC tabulations of USDA –RHS 205c, d, and f report data. For questions or comments about the obligation reports, please contact Michael Feinberg at 202-842-8600 or michael@ruralhome.org.

USDA Rural Development Obligations FY 17 – June

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The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) presents this month’s report on Fiscal Year 2017 USDA Rural Housing program obligations.

USDA operated under a Continuing Resolution (CR) through April 28, 2017 based on last year’s appropriation levels. Congress passed a final appropriations bill to keep the government operating through the end of September. The final spending bill increased funding for several USDA housing programs.

As of the end of June, USDA obligated 108,554 loans, loan guarantees, and grants totaling about $14.9 billion. This is about $2.09 billion more than obligation levels from the same time last year when there were 96,193 loans, loan guarantees, and grants obligated totaling about $12.79 billion.

Single Family Housing Program Highlights

The Section 502 Guaranteed loan program, the largest of the Single Family Housing programs, obligated $14.0 billion (97,846 loan guarantees) up from $11.8 billion (85,548) at the same time last year.

For the Section 502 Direct program, there have been over $665 million (4,838 loans), down from $723.3 million (5,364 loans) in loan obligations this time last year. Very low-income (VLI) loan obligations as a percentage of the total Section 502 Direct loan dollars was 37.2 percent, exceeding the 31.5 percent VLI obligation level at the same time last year.

The Section 504 Repair and Rehabilitation programs obligated 2,306 loans representing $13 million. As in the other single family housing programs, loan volume was up from this time last year (2,165 loans representing $11.7 million.) There were also $20.6 million (3,408 grants) obligated in the Section 504 grant program compared to $23.8 million (3,879 grants) at the same time last year.

There were also 5 credit sales of Single Family properties totaling $410,780.

Multi-Family Housing Programs.

USDA’s Section 538 Multifamily Housing obligated 60 loan guarantees totaling $110.2 million, up from 76 loan guarantees ($137.2 million.) In the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing program, there were 10 loans totaling $10.5 million obligated. No Section 515 loans were obligated this time last year. For the Farm Labor Housing programs, USDA obligated 7 loans totaling $10.6 million and 0 grants compared to 7 loans ($5.2 million and 6 grants ($9.6 million) this time last year. There were also 30 MPR loans and 2 grants totaling $21.4 million and $53,200 respectively, compared to 50 loans ($45.8 million) and 3 grants ($801,900) this time last year.

USDA obligated funds for 191,740 rental assistance units under the Section 521 Rental Assistance program totaling $864.2 million. This compares to about 237,179 units ($1.1 billion) obligated same time last year. There were also 4,225 Rural Housing Vouchers totaling $16.6 million compared to 4,224 vouchers representing $15.5 million this time last year.

Download the combined document.

* The Rural Housing Service (RHS) monthly obligation reports are produced by the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) 1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington, DC 20005. The monthly figures derive from HAC tabulations of USDA –RHS 205c, d, and f report data. For questions or comments about the obligation reports, please contact Michael Feinberg at 202-842-8600 or michael@ruralhome.org.

USDA Rural Development Obligations FY 17 – May

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Download complete report (Through May FY 2017)

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The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) presents this month’s report on Fiscal Year 2017 USDA Rural Housing program obligations.

USDA operated under a Continuing Resolution (CR) through April 28, 2017 based on last year’s appropriation levels. Congress passed a final appropriations bill to keep the government operating through the end of September. The final spending bill increased funding for several USDA housing programs.

As of the end of May, USDA obligated 94,308 loans, loan guarantees, and grants totaling about $12.9 billion. This is about $1.83 billion more than obligation levels from the same time last year when there were 81,225 loans, loan guarantees, and grants obligated totaling about $11.06 billion.

Single Family Housing Program Highlights

The Section 502 Guaranteed loan program, the largest of the Single Family Housing programs, obligated $12.2 billion (85,369 loan guarantees) up from $10.0 billion (72,112) at the same time last year.

For the Section 502 Direct program, there have been over $510 million (3,792 loans), also up from $536.7 million (4,040 loans) in loan obligations this time last year. Very low-income (VLI) loan obligations as a percentage of the total Section 502 Direct loan dollars was 39.7 percent, exceeding the 30.7 percent VLI obligation level at the same time last year.

The Section 504 Repair and Rehabilitation programs obligated 1,997 loans representing $11.1 million. As in the other single family housing programs, loan volume was up from this time last year (1,804 loans representing $9.8 million.) There were also $18.3 million (3,026 grants) obligated in the Section 504 grant program compared to $19.0 million (3,108 grants) at the same time last year.

There were also 4 credit sales of Single Family properties totaling $346,100.

Multi-Family Housing Programs.

USDA’s Section 538 Multifamily Housing obligated 51 loan guarantees totaling $89.9 million, up from 62 loan guarantees ($111.2 million.) In the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing program, there were 10 loans totaling $10.5 million obligated. No Section 515 loans were obligated this time last year. There were also 15 MPR loans and 2 grants totaling $13.7 million and $53,200 respectively, compared to 29 loans ($18.0 million) and 2 grants ($36,900) this time last year.

USDA obligated funds for 191,632 rental assistance units under the Section 521 Rental Assistance program totaling $863.7 million. This compares to about 236,667 units ($1.1 billion) obligated same time last year. There were also 2,723 Rural Housing Vouchers totaling $10.4 million compared to 3,672 vouchers representing $13.7 million this time last year.

Download the combined document.

* The Rural Housing Service (RHS) monthly obligation reports are produced by the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) 1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington, DC 20005. The monthly figures derive from HAC tabulations of USDA –RHS 205c, d, and f report data. For questions or comments about the obligation reports, please contact Michael Feinberg at 202-842-8600 or michael@ruralhome.org.

USDA Rural Development Obligations FY 17 – April

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Download complete report (Through April FY 2017)

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The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) presents this month’s report on Fiscal Year 2017 USDA Rural Housing program obligations.

USDA operated under a Continuing Resolution (CR) through April 28, 2017 based on last year’s appropriation levels. Congress passed a final appropriations bill to keep the government operating through the end of September. The final spending bill increased funding for several USDA housing programs.

As of the end of April, USDA obligated 81,225 loans, loan guarantees, and grants totaling about $11.06 billion. This is about $2.08 billion more than obligation levels from the same time last year when there were 68,207 loans, loan guarantees, and grants obligated totaling about $8.98 billion

Single Family Housing Program Highlights

The Section 502 Guaranteed loan program, the largest of the Single Family Housing programs, obligated $10.4 billion (72,862 loan guarantees) up from $8.5 billion (60,652) at the same time last year.

For the Section 502 Direct program, there have been over $484 million (3,588 loans), also up from $434.0 million (3,292 loans) in loan obligations this time last year. Very low-income (VLI) loan obligations as a percentage of the total Section 502 Direct loan dollars was 37.8 percent, exceeding the 30.7 percent VLI obligation level at the same time last year.

The Section 504 Repair and Rehabilitation programs obligated 1,818 loans representing $10.0 million. As in the other single family housing programs, loan volume was up from this time last year (1,511 loans representing $8.1 million.) There were also $17.3 million (2,845 grants) obligated in the Section 504 grant program compared to $16.3 million (2,642 grants) at the same time last year.

There were also 4 credit sales of Single Family properties totaling $346,100.

Multi-Family Housing Programs

USDA’s Section 538 Multifamily Housing obligated 46 loan guarantees totaling $85.4 million, up from 51 loan guarantees ($78.7 million.) In the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing program, there were 10 loans totaling $10.5 million obligated. There were also 13 MPR loans and 2 grants totaling $10.9 million and $53,200 respectively. There were no Section 515 loans and no MPR loans or grants at this time last year.

USDA obligated funds for 175,275 rental assistance units under the Section 521 Rental Assistance program totaling $794.5 million. This compares to about 209,931 units ($986.2 million) obligated same time last year. There were also 2,724 Rural Housing Vouchers totaling $10.4 million compared to 2,869 vouchers representing $10.7 million this time last year. The lower numbers for Rental Assistance and Rural Housing Vouchers likely reflects the limits of the CR funding available.

Download the combined document.

* The Rural Housing Service (RHS) monthly obligation reports are produced by the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) 1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington, DC 20005. The monthly figures derive from HAC tabulations of USDA –RHS 205c, d, and f report data. For questions or comments about the obligation reports, please contact Michael Feinberg at 202-842-8600 or michael@ruralhome.org.

USDA Rural Development Obligations FY 17 – March

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Download complete report (Through March FY 2017)

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The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) presents this month’s report on Fiscal Year 2017 USDA Rural Housing program obligations.

USDA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR) which provides funding through April 28, 2017 based on last year’s appropriation levels. Congress will need to pass a final appropriations bill or another CR to keep the government operating after the CR expires.

As of the end of March, USDA obligated 69,689 loans, loan guarantees, and grants totaling about $9.51 billion. This is about $2.04 billion more than obligation levels from the same time last year when there were 56,760 loans, loan guarantees, and grants obligated totaling about $7.46 billion.

Single Family Housing Program Highlights

The Section 502 Guaranteed loan program, the largest of the Single Family Housing programs, obligated $8.95 billion (62,513 loan guarantees) up from $7.0 billion (50,513) at the same time last year.

For the Section 502 Direct program, there have been over $429 million (3,179 loans), also up from $354.8 million (2,699 loans) in loan obligations this time last year. Very low-income (VLI) loan obligations as a percentage of the total Section 502 Direct loan dollars was 37.5 percent, exceeding the 30.4 percent VLI obligation level at the same time last year.

The Section 504 Repair and Rehabilitation programs obligated 1,535 loans representing $8.4 million. As in the other single family housing programs, loan volume was up from this time last year (1,250 loans representing $6.8 million.) There were also $14.4 million (2,370 grants) obligated in the Section 504 grant program compared to $13.6 million (2,213 grants) at the same time last year.

There were also 4 credit sales of Single Family properties totaling $346,100.

Multi-Family Housing Programs

USDA’s Section 538 Multifamily Housing obligated 39 loan guarantees totaling $71.1 million. In the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing program, there were 10 loans totaling $10.5 million obligated. There were also 13 MPR loans and 2 grants totaling $10.9 million and $53,200 respectively.

USDA obligated funds for 174,967 rental assistance units under the Section 521 Rental Assistance program totaling $793.4 million. This compares to about 207,855 units ($977.7 million) obligated same time last year. There were also 2,712 Rural Housing Vouchers totaling $10.4 million compared to 2,751 vouchers representing $10.4 million this time last year.

Download the combined document.

* The Rural Housing Service (RHS) monthly obligation reports are produced by the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) 1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington, DC 20005. The monthly figures derive from HAC tabulations of USDA –RHS 205c, d, and f report data. For questions or comments about the obligation reports, please contact Michael Feinberg at 202-842-8600 or michael@ruralhome.org.

Out of Reach Report 2015

Low-Income Workers Continue to Face Housing Affordability Challenges

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The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) recently released its annual Out of Reach report. The report is known for defining the Housing RN-Out of Reach 2015-Cover Page 1Wage; the wage one must earn in order to afford a rental unit at Fair Market Rent (FMR) 1.

According to the most recent Out of Reach report, the 2015 Housing Wage is $19.35 for a two-bedroom unit, and $13.50 for a one-bedroom unit at FMR 2. This means that in order to afford a two-bedroom rental unit, a worker would have to make over 2.5 times the federal minium wage. In fact, in 13 states and Washington, DC the Housing Wage is more than $20 an hour. There is no state in the U.S. where a minimum wage earner can afford a one-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent, even if they work full time. NLIHC suggests that the nation needs to add 7.1 million units affordable to Extremely Low Income households in order to meet the demand.

How are Rural Renters Faring?

The Out of Reach report also highlights some of the special challenges faced by residents in rural communities. According to the report, hourly wages in rural areas are insufficient to meet the cost of living, despite lower housing costs compared to nonrural areas. For example, the estimated renter wage in West Virgina is $10.26 and $11.38 in Kentucky, and in both states about 70% of Extremely Low Income renters pay more than half of their incomes toward rent. Paying so much for rent means that there is less money left over for other necessities like food and healthcare.

Two-Bedroom Housing Wage Map 3

RN-Out of Reach 2015-Map

1 Affordable rent is defined as not costing more than 30% of a person’s income. FMR determined by HUD

2 Estimates of Fair Market Rent are produced annually by HUD, and measure the 40th percentile of gross rents for typical, non-substandard rental units occupied by recent movers in a local housing market.

3 National Low Income Housing Coalition. (2015). Out of Reach 2015. Washington, DC. https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/oor/OOR_2015_FULL.pdf

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Download the Out of Reach report published by National Low Income Housing Coalition

Additional HAC Resources on Housing
HAC’s Decennial Report: Taking Stock: Rural People, Poverty, and Housing in 21st Century.
Access data on housing affordability for your community at HAC’s

What does affordable housing mean to you? Rural families share their stories

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The Fall 2014 issue of Rural Voices presents the perspectives of rural families, their challenges of living in unaffordable or substandard conditions, and how they ultimately utilized federal resources to obtain quality housing. These success stories almost always involve innovative community-based organizations that provide the vital link between housing resources and the families who need them.

What does affordable housing mean to you?The Fall 2014 issue of Rural Voices presents the perspectives of rural families, their challenges of living in unaffordable or substandard conditions, and how they ultimately utilized federal resources to obtain quality housing. These success stories almost always involve innovative community-based organizations that provide the vital link between housing resources and the families who need them.

VIEW FROM WASHINGTON

Affordable Rural Housing: It’s Not a Nicety But a Necessity
by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, Missouri’s Fifth District

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, shares his housing story and offers his views on housing across the country

FEATURES

The Balancing Act
by Joey Henderson, Florida Home Partnership, Inc.

A single mother’s self-help journey

“Our Home, Our Community”
by Lucero Cortez and Erika Parkinson, Catholic Charities of Yakima

Zaida Elena Lopez and Ivan Chavez

Making Almost Heaven a Reality in Rural West Virginia
by John David, Southern Appalchian Labor School (SALS)

Converting a log cabin to a modern home means this widow does not have to live in the cold

The Power of Working Together

Three families share their experiences with USDA’s Mutual Self-Help Program

“I’ve lived here my whole life.”

Leslie Robbins, Jr.

Self-Help, Sweat Equity and Success
by BC EchoHawk, National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC)

“It made me feel good, it made me powerful and I’m looking forward to spending whatever days I have, God bless me, in that house.”

A Farmer’s Fight
byYuqi Wang, Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow

Many Hmong farmers have recently experienced financial problems from faulty loans

Additional Content

rv-fall-2014-mapThe Faces of Affordable Housing

What does Affordable Housing Mean to You?

“We wouldn’t want to live any place else”

The Davis Family (SALS, WV)

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

Rental Housing in Rural America Research Brief

Rental Housing in Rural America

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

Rural Research Note: Rental Housing in Rural America

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