HAC News Formats. pdf

• February is National African American History Month • House approves bill with new fee for Section 502 guaranteed loans • Farmworker housing loans and grants available • Deadline extended for Section 533 HPG • HUD offers elderly supportive services demo • Capital Magnet Fund competition opens • FEMA considers disaster deductible from state and tribal governments • Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grants program implemented • HUD requests input on over-income tenants • Nearly half of American households live paycheck to paycheck, report says • Investing in housing can save on health care • Save the date for the HAC’s third annual symposium on veterans • “Duty to Serve and What it Means for Rural America” HAC webinar planned

HAC News Formats. pdf

January 13, 2016
Vol. 45, No. 1

• Next federal funding cycle begins in February • USDA offers Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants • Funding notice revised for HOPWA Project Demonstration and Violence Against Women Act Grants • Transitional housing funds for domestic violence victims offered by Department of Justice • CDFI Bond Guarantee Program opens FY16 funding round • VA will fund housing assistive technology development • HUD releases fair housing Assessment Tool • Promise Zones competition opens • USDA extends temporary authorizations to help spend Section 502 direct funds in FY16 • USDA RD offers guidance on Section 504 and Section 538 • Most veterans in demonstration program avoided homelessness, report says • HAC offers trainings on 502 packaging and financial management

HAC News Formats. pdf

December 16, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 25

• FY16 funding bill increases Rental Assistance and HOME • Tax extenders bill would make 9% LIHTC and EITC permanent • Highway law includes HUD housing provisions • House committee approves housing bill • FHFA proposes new duty to serve rule for Fannie and Freddie • HUD final rule defines chronic homelessness • FY16 Fair Market Rents set • Comments on manufactured home code requested • Rental housing study finds growing demand • KEEP YOUR HAC NEWS COMING – BY EMAIL!

HAC News Formats. pdf

November 30, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 24

• HAC NEWS GOING FULLY DIGITAL • Congress working on FY16 funding measures • Tax extender negotiations include LIHTC and EITC • HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods NOFA introduces Planning and Action Grants • HUD offers equal access rule for transgender persons • New HAC resources offer data on veterans nationwide • Housing communications information available • RDLN auction online through December 13 • USDA updates Rural America at a Glance • DDAs and QCTs set for 2016

HAC News Formats. pdf

November 11, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 23

• HAC NEWS GOING FULLY DIGITAL • November is National Native American Heritage Month • Congress and USDA agree to fund Rental Assistance shortages • Two rural housing supporters resigning from Congress • USDA issues new standards for underwriting MPR preservation deals • BIA amends Housing Improvement Program rule • Public housing smoking ban proposed • Interim rule requires new tracking for CDBG grantees • Clean Power Plan can help fund energy efficiency in affordable housing • Unnumbered Letter on TRID now available • HUD reports on homelessness • A few spaces still available for HAC’s November 19-20 trainings

HAC News Formats. pdf

October 28, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 22

• Budget deal raises spending caps • USDA has funds to renew expired Rental Assistance contracts • Senate subcommittee questions USDA on Rental Assistance funds • House panels hold hearings on new legislation and HUD • HUD launches Tribal HUD-VASH program • New Markets Tax Credits allocations available • CFPB updates lists of rural counties • Additional fair housing regulations proposed • HMDA regulations revised • HUD offers training to qualify manufactured housing installers • New report supports HOME program • Rural Voices celebrates 20 years • Two HAC trainings offered November 19-20

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

September 30, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 20

• Continuing Resolution keeps federal government open • USDA uses all 502 direct funds • House Financial Services Committee chair invites suggestions to improve housing assistance • AmeriCorps opens FY16 application period • Whole house inspections instituted for 502 direct loans • CFPB amends rule on rural credit access • EPA rule adds pesticide protections for farmworkers • HUD publishes General Section for FY16 NOFAs • Continuum of Care NOFA released • Administration selects Rural IMPACT poverty reduction locations • Rural mortgage lending declined in 2014 • Increase in cost-burdened renters projected

HAC News Formats. pdf

September 16, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 19

• September 15-October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month • Government shutdown possible • USDA likely to spend all 502 direct funds but not 504 loan funds • Rural poverty rate unchanged, incomes stagnant, Census Bureau reports • Home Depot Foundation seeks proposals for rural veteran housing projects • Members of House Ag Committee question USDA officials • Section 502 packaging rule delayed again • Procedure changed for completing manufactured homes onsite • PHAs to get more flexibility for flat rents • FY16 Fair Market Rents proposed • GAO reports on overlap in rental housing programs • Two HAC trainings offered November 19-20

HAC News Formats. pdf

September 2, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 18

• Administration asks for permission to spend more rural Rental Assistance early in FY16 • Some RA contracts running out of funds early cannot be renewed • House’s FY16 appropriations bills exceed caps set in budget deal • HUD offers ICDBG funds • Grants available for domestic violence HIV/AIDS housing • USDA reports on review of Section 523 self-help TA • Comment period reopened for RD economic and community development setaside • CDFI Program interim rule issued • HUD corrects errors in AFFH and voucher portability rules • Report reviews progress in Texas colonias

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 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

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 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

June 25, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 13

• House subcommittee keeps most USDA spending at FY15 levels • Senate committee advances HUD bill with large cut in HOME • Supreme Court approves use of disparate impact for fair housing claims • Indian Country needs capital, witnesses tell Senate panel • Funds for housing and health research offered • Reminder: USDA has email lists for single-family housing loan programs • RD alters multifamily reserve account countersignature requirements • HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration changed • Federal homelessness plan revised • Homeownership down, renters’ cost burden rates increasing, Harvard reports • Partnership opportunities expand for housing and health providers

HAC News Formats. pdf

June 10, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 12

• House passes THUD spending bill • Lead hazard funding offered • RD seeks 502 packaging intermediary applications, delays rule’s effective date • New comments invited on Emergency Solutions Grants • HUD considers small area FMRs • Meetings set on Section 538 guarantees • People with disabilities receiving SSI cannot afford housing • Materials available on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule • CFPB consumer advisory warns about reverse mortgage advertising • Americans believe housing crisis ongoing, many still aspire to homeownership • HAC to present Practitioner’s Guide to Meeting Energy Star 3.0 Part B • HAC offers Section 502 Packaging Training for Nonprofit Housing Developers

HAC News Formats. pdf

May 27, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 11

• June is National Homeownership Month • House subcommittee considers USDA’s housing role • Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants offered • Pilot tests new area loan limit method for Section 502 direct • Rural rental properties urged to host meal programs • RD to reserve 10% of non-housing funds to aid development plans • Rents remain out of reach nationwide • More rural veterans are women • White House reports housing helps lift rural children out of poverty • Young people returning to rural areas most often cite family reasons • Rural Voices features lessons learned from housing mistakes • HAC disaster guide supplement for Oklahoma and Texas flooding available

HAC News Formats. pdf

May 13, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 10

• House committee approves THUD spending bill • Senate passes budget agreement • HUD offers lead-paint grants • New version of USDA’s multifamily Preliminary Assessment Tool available • HUD and USDA determine new energy efficiency standards will apply • Guidance released to extend CDBG disaster grants from Hurricane Sandy • Dates set for Section 538 calls • FHFA announces extension of HARP • Worst Case Housing Needs 2015 Report to Congress released • Limits on GSE lending for multifamily mortgages eased • Federal rental assistance and Housing Choice voucher fact sheets released • Webinar recording on Native American housing available • HAC conference on “Serving Veterans in Rural America” set for May 20

HAC News Formats. pdf

April 29, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 9

• House acts on HUD funding • USDA RD issues final 502 packaging rule • RD revises UL on tenant notifications for loan payoffs • HUD offers ICDBG funds to address mold • HUD has tenant protection vouchers for low-vacancy areas • Continuum of Care registration opens • VA requests comments on Veterans Choice Program • HUD changes Distressed Asset Stabilization Program • Broadband comments requested • HUD revising tribal consultation policy • HUD required to use procurement contracts for Section 8 funding • Administration adds new Promise Zones • GAO recommends changes in HOPWA funding formula • HUD releases Rental Market Dynamics 2009-2011 report • HAC blogs on ending rural veteran homelessness • Veterans and LIHTC subjects of HAC webinars • HAC conference on “Serving Veterans in Rural America” set for May 20

HAC News Formats. pdf

April 15, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 8

• House approves bills on QM and manufactured housing • USDA expanding Section 502 direct loan intermediary pilot • CDFI Fund offers bond guarantees, eases applications for some • RHS encourages processing Section 502 direct applications • RD’s Capital Needs Assessment guidance reissued • FHFA adopts rule prohibiting pass-through of NHTF and CMF costs • Study finds administrative fees for HUD vouchers do not cover costs • Report documents innovative financing for permanent supportive housing • GAO report on government programs’ overlap includes NMTC recommendations • HUD offers healthy housing awards • Upcoming HAC webinars cover HVAC, veterans

HAC News Formats. pdf

April 3, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 7

• April is National Fair Housing Month • House and Senate approve nonbinding budget resolutions • NAHASDA reauthorization passes House • USDA offers farmworker housing loans and grants • Housing counseling grants available • HUD requests comment on VAWA rule changes • Broadband demonstration in HUD housing considered • USDA approval for restructuring senior loans explained • Ways to speed agency processing of Section 502 guaranteed loans suggested • HUD sets requirements for rental assistance transfers • Update for Section 3 regulations proposed • Rural housing tenant data for 2014 now available • Homelessness has decreased, change varies widely among states, report says • CFPB updates homebuying toolkit • HAC sets Energy Star webinar for April 8

HAC News Formats. pdf

March 18, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 6

• Members of Congress question budget’s self-help funding, minimum rents, and more • Castro includes rural in budget testimony • House and Senate Republicans release FY16 budgets • VA expands eligibility for SSVF NOFA •HUD requests input on HOPWA for abuse victims • USDA StrikeForce Initiative adds counties in Oklahoma and Puerto Rico • Gap between supply of and demand for affordable rental units continues to grow • Housing costs increasing for employed renters • HAC releases conference report • HAC sets “Serving Veterans in Rural America” conference for May 20

HAC News Formats. pdf

March 4, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 5

• First hearing for FY16 housing funding held • USDA offers rural vouchers • Section 502 guarantee rule changes offered • RD sets national square footage for modest housing • Supportive Services for Veteran Families regulations completed • HUD issues guidance on service to LGBT and transgender individuals • State CDBG program guide updated • HUD compares Housing Trust Fund and HOME • Section 8 guidance covers Davis-Bacon’s applicability to existing housing • Study shows how energy efficiency in rental housing helps affordability • “How Housing Matters” website launched • Interactive map shows racial/ethnic diversity by age for counties

HAC News Formats. pdf

February 18, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 4

• February is National African American History Month • USDA offers Household Water Well System grants • HUD-VASH vouchers will expand to Native American communities • Regulators request input on CRA and other banking rules • HUD announces Annual Adjustment Factors • USDA RD revamps website • Worst case housing needs drop • Changes in housing and other policies could reduce child poverty by 60% nationwide • HUD reports on ways housing matters to children • Affordable housing can improve educational outcomes • Sequestration and its impacts described • Economic recovery is bypassing millions of Americans, CFED reports • Regulatory costs may drive small bank mergers

HAC News Formats. pdf

February 4, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 3

• FY16 funding process begins • Rural housing budget requests more rental funding, less for self-help, and minimum rent for tenants • HUD proposed budget for 2016 boosts funding • HUD issues Housing Trust Fund interim rule • Property owners must notify tenants before final payment on Section 515 or 514 loans • Guidance issued to help RD staff set voucher amounts • RD announces FY15 funding policy for Sec. 523 self-help grants • CFPB hopes to facilitate small creditor and rural lending • Supportive Services for Veteran Families grantees can apply for renewals • FHFA proposes minimum financial thresholds for non-banks

HAC News Formats. pdf

January 21, 2015
Vol. 44, No. 2

• State of the Union message addresses broad themes, touches on housing • President’s FY16 budget expected February 2 • Rural housing program eligibility changes effective February 2 • Congressional committee leadership takes shape • Fair housing comments reopened on one issue for small entities • EPA suggests altering lead paint training rule • HUD proposes changes for project-based Section 8 and for Section 202 • New USDA notice issued on domestic violence • USDA RD reminds staff of prepayment requirements • RD gives lead paint guidance • Map shows FHA premium cuts by county • LIHTC tenants described in HUD publication •