HAC News Formats. pdf

March 25, 2019
Vol. 48, No. 6

Administration again proposes to eliminate many housing programs • Budget would slash ERS funding, report on proposed move not yet complete • Deadline extended for smaller PHAs to apply for Moving to Work demo • Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program will select eight rural communities • U.S. faces shortage of 7 million rental homes for extremely low-income renters • Rural student homelessness growing at almost four times the national rate • Closing digital divide could add $140 billion to U.S. economy, study says • Capitol Hill rural housing hearing rescheduled for April 2 • Local solutions go national at People & Places 2019 • HAC webinar to review Section 502 updates • HAC symposium on rural veterans’ housing and services scheduled for April in Arkansas • Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC News Formats. pdf

March 8, 2019
Vol. 48, No. 5

March is Women’s History Month • Apply by March 11 for grants to support housing aid to rural veterans • Senate committee recommends Calabria for FHFA • 200 ERS employees to move out of Washington • Child poverty could be cut in half within 10 years, report says • Deadlines set for ReConnect broadband program requests • House committee hearings address housing topics • USDA releases annual data on tenants • RuralSTAT • Hispanic poverty rate dropped in 2017, especially in nonmetro areas • Corporate investment in manufactured home communities is pricing out residents, report says • Rural America is losing nursing homes • HAC webinar to review Section 502 updates • HAC symposium on rural veterans’ housing and services scheduled for April in Arkansas

HAC News Formats. pdf

February 22, 2019
Vol. 48, No. 4

FY19 appropriations agreement fully funds most housing programs • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposes to rescind parts of payday lending rule • USDA and HHS partner to create recovery housing in rural communities • Indian CDBG funding competition reopens • HUD requests comments on streamlined requirements for small rural PHAs • HAC webinar to review Section 502 updates • Confirmation hearing held for FHFA nominee Calabria • Senate Indian Affairs Committee passes bill to provide housing vouchers for Native veterans • Fed chair highlights economic prosperity gap • Study finds nearly 35% of rural counties experienced population loss • Rural housing hearing postponed • HAC offers grants for housing aid to rural veterans • HAC symposium on rural veterans’ housing and services scheduled for April in Arkansas

HAC News Formats. pdf

February 11, 2019
Vol. 48, No. 3

February is Black History Month • Government funded to February 15, another shutdown possible • Rural Rental Assistance payments obligated through April • USDA explains status of homeownership programs • HAC offers grants for housing aid to rural veterans • Puerto Rico disaster funds available • FY2020 budget process begins in March • Senator releases housing finance reform outline, White House developing a proposal • HAC symposium on rural veterans’ housing and services scheduled for April in Arkansas • Hazlett leaving USDA, Baxley to move to Secretary’s office • Rural broadband application deadlines to be extended • USDA raises loan-to-cost ratio for guaranteed rental housing loans

HAC News Formats. pdf

January 25, 2019
Vol. 48, No. 2

Deal reached to reopen federal government • HAC calls for shutdown to end, citing severe impact on rural towns and families, suggests ways to help • USDA working to resolve rental assistance shortfalls and inform landlords • USDA rural housing programs remain closed • USDA Secretary reopens Farm Service Administration, leaves Rural Development closed • Indian Country substantially impacted by shutdown • Shutdown delays Puerto Rico disaster funds • Legal impacts of shutdown on HUD and USDA tenants summarized • Tribal housing survey finds focus on HUD, new units and rehab • Unsheltered homelessness increasing • New infographic explains rapid re-housing • Federal Reserve examines link between millennial migration and student loan debt • Holistic Housing Podcast focuses on rural housing issues • Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC News Formats. pdf

January 15, 2019
Vol. 48, No. 1

Federal shutdown puts USDA loans on hold, tenants in limbo • National call about shutdown to include HAC • Some HUD Project-Based Rental Assistance contracts expiring during shutdown • House passes USDA and HUD funding bills • Regulators consider requiring evaluations for rural properties, raising appraisal threshold • Fannie Mae implements appraisal waiver in rural high need markets • RD plans to begin accepting Section 538 guarantee applications continuously • Podcast covering affordable housing and community development will feature HAC’s David Lipsetz • Site selection criteria issued for ERS and NIFA relocations • Patenaude resigns HUD position • Broadband access on tribal land lags national averages • White paper reports savings from energy and water efficiency for low- and middle-income renters • Rural Statistic: USDA Section 515 majority minority properties

HAC News Formats. pdf

December 14, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 25

2018 HAC Rural Housing Conference educates, inspires, and advances the rural housing community. • Federal Reserve Board of Governors chairman Jerome Powell addresses HAC conference • HAC awards recognize national, local and federal leadership for rural housing • USDA and HUD spending now expiring December 21 • Congress passes Farm Bill • Increased staff specialization planned for USDA Rural Development • Mark Calabria named to lead Federal Housing Finance Agency • Kathy Kraninger becomes head of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau • Perdue announces RD initiative for broadband and e-connectivity • Executive Order encourages development in Opportunity Zones • HAC’s Rural Voices magazine covers capacity building • Census Bureau releases new data for counties, towns, Native lands and more • Study examines trust lands and manufactured homes in Indian Country

HAC News Formats. pdf

November 30, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 24

REP. MAXINE WATERS TO SPEAK AT 2018 HAC RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE • FY19 spending set to expire December 7 for part of U.S. government • Affordable Housing Program regulation changes finalized • RD offers energy efficiency loans to rural electric service providers for relending • Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees available • GAO recommends ways to improve tribal access to broadband • Rural statistic: rural bank deserts • USDA RD posts several guidance documents on multifamily properties • Coalition analyzes HUD intent to reduce public housing stock • Authority for environmental matters and single-family loan servicing transferred away from Rural Housing Service • Disaster recovery funding underused for vulnerable populations

HAC News Formats. pdf

November 11, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 23

EARLY BIRD RATE EXTENDED FOR 2018 HAC RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE, NEW SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED • House committee leadership will change under Democratic majority • Congress to return for lame-duck session • November is National Native American Heritage Month • National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is November 10-18 • HUD offers funds for public and private entities doing fair housing work. • Revisions proposed to Federal Home Loan Bank housing goals regulation • Labor Department proposes online ads for U.S. farmworkers • Online tool refined for rural mortgage eligibility • Creative placemaking webinar series announced • New HUD database lists fair housing organizations • Report describes use of state housing trust funds in rural areas • HUD report looks at who uses homebuyer education and housing counseling • New resource guide offered to help address rural opioid epidemic

HAC News Formats. pdf

October 25, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 22

EARLY BIRD RATE ENDS OCTOBER 31 FOR 2018 HAC RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE• Comments on USDA income banding proposal due October 30, HAC posts draft response • Proposed regulations released for Opportunity Zones • HUD reports homelessness fell in cities over past ten years, increased in suburban and rural areas • Indian Community Development Block Grant funds available • Information from HAC’s Community Reinvestment Act webinar posted • USDA used all Section 502 direct funding in FY 2018, Section 504 fell short • Water infrastructure bill becomes law • Census data guide the targeting of over $30 billion in federal funds per year for rural areas • New poll shows rural optimism, mixed with concern for jobs and the opioid epidemic • Changes proposed for H-2A temporary farmworker visa forms • Economic growth is uneven within rural and urban places, not just between rural and urban, researcher notes •Framing the conversation helps build support for affordable housing • Interactive maps show who’s most impacted by Hurricane Florence • Almost one-quarter of housing tax credit units may lose affordability by 2030, says new report • Housing tax credit target area designations released

HAC News Formats. pdf

October 12, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 21

HUD SECRETARY TO SPEAK AT THE 2018 HAC RURAL HOUSING CONFERENCE • USDA will reallocate rental assistance that was held in reserve • New report on rural rental housing production released • HAC updates disaster guide and issues supplement for recent hurricanes • Public charge proposal would limit admission to U.S. for immigrants who have used assistance or may need it in the future • AmeriCorps grant competition open • Fannie Mae offers funds for innovative health and housing ideas • Data map shows social mobility for every census tract • USDA launches interactive data tool to help address opioid epidemic • Bi-partisan opioid response bill to become law • USDA moves to modernize homeownership programs’ field staff functions as staffing levels decline • Public input sought for modifications to Fannie Mae’s Duty to Serve plan • Research indicates rural families benefit from the Earned Income Tax Credit • USDA manufactured housing pilots expanding further • HAC webinar to cover proposed changes to Community Reinvestment Act

HAC News Formats. pdf

September 28, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 20

HAC publishes rental housing preservation study • Housing programs funded to December 7 • Farm Bill may expire September 30 • Legislation would increase affordable housing, including rural and tribal housing • USDA extends some deadlines for rental preservation funding • Researchers look at connection between housing and health • Homeland Security to propose rule limiting admission to U.S. for noncitizens expected to use benefits • Rural Voices reviews “What Broadband Means for Rural America” • USDA offers new web resource for mortgage packagers and intermediaries • CFPB requests comments on data collection • September 15 through October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month

HAC News Formats. pdf

September 13, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 19

Congress still working on appropriations for FY19 and on Farm Bill • Rural homeownership funds on track to be fully used this fiscal year • Puerto Rican families’ hotel aid ends September 13 • U.S. poverty falls for third year in a row • USDA proposes making two-tier “income banding” permanent for homebuyers • FY19 Fair Market Rents posted •Grants offered for repairs to water and waste systems impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria • RUS to stop publishing funding notices in Federal Register • HUD to expedite waivers for public housing agencies in major disaster areas • USDA extends deadline for ERS and NIFA headquarters • Common platform suggested for some USDA loan guarantees • Report shows first homes financed by national Housing Trust Fund • States implementing Opportunity Zones, report says

HAC News Formats. pdf

August 30, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 18

Rental Housing for a 21st Century Rural America to be released by HAC on Sept. 6 • Community Reinvestment Act comments requested • Court dismisses fair housing challenge • USDA launches broadband web page • HAC sets webinar on veterans’ supportive housing for September 12 • State of Homelessness in America data online • Members sought by August 31 for new USDA Rural Workforce Innovation Network • USDA considers changes to interest cap and regulations for guaranteed loans • Census Bureau plans to reach hard-to-count groups in 2020 evaluated • Area Agencies on Aging develop services and programming tailored to rural clients • Senate committee narrowly approves Consumer Financial Protection Bureau nomination • Young people eligible for the FOCUS Climate Gap Year, deadline August 31

HAC News Formats. pdf

August 15, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 17

HUD requests comments on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing • Deadline for lead-based paint reduction grants extended • HAC seeks Director of Lending • USDA to move Economic Research Service out of DC • Senate bills would create refundable tax credits for cost-burdened renters • HAC explores rural broadband gap • Federal strategic plan to end homelessness released • Rural Studio to spread affordable housing design nationwide • New portfolio manager named for USDA rental housing programs • Online tool offers data on reservations • Wage growth lower than inflation in past year, generally stagnant over decades, analyses show • Senate committee delays vote on CFPB nomination

HAC News Formats. pdf

August 2, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 16

Senate passes funding for USDA and HUD • Flood insurance program extended temporarily • Guide for California wildfires survivors published by HAC • HUD sets public housing rent limits • RUS invites comments on broadband pilot • Puerto Rico disaster recovery plan approved, hotel aid extended • Government Effectiveness Advanced Research Center proposed • Advocate identifies opportunity to comment on citizenship question proposed for census • HUD Inspector General criticizes department’s oversight in Cairo, Illinois area • Inclusionary Housing Calculator explores local scenarios • Senate bill would establish housing task force

HAC News Formats. pdf

July 19, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 15

Rural residents spend disproportionate amounts on household energy, study finds • Persons with temporary farmworker visas now eligible for USDA-financed housing • USDA to institute guarantee fee for information technology enhancements • House bill would authorize new housing mobility funds • GAO releases new auditing standards • Guide aims to help tribes increase homeownership • House committee hears testimony on rural broadband • Child poverty remains higher than before recession

HAC News Formats. pdf

July 5, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 14

HAC seeks workshop proposals for the 2018 Rural Housing Conference • Nominate local and national leaders for HAC awards • HAC offers grants to affordable housing projects serving rural veterans. • Farmworker housing loans and grants available from USDA. • HHS will make grants for new Rural Communities Opioid Response Program • Judge extends FEMA housing aid in Puerto Rico to July 23 • Carson questioned about moving RHS programs to HUD • KIDS COUNT data book warns of Census undercount, shows mixed progress on well-being • Housing aid could reduce child poverty almost 21%, says Children’s Defense Fund • Housing a key in rural economies, members of Congress report • Senate passes Farm Bill • USDA posts webinar trainings for Section 502 direct program • Webinars offer information to engage low-income renters in elections

HAC News Formats. pdf

June 22, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 13

Rescission bill fails in Senate • Rents remain unaffordable at minimum wage • Harvard report addresses housing affordability • Administration proposes moving some rural housing programs to HUD • Sec. 533 Housing Preservation Grants available • Water and wastewater grants available for relending • HUD offers Jobs Plus funds • Grants available to reduce lead paint hazards • Comments invited on fair housing and disparate impact • Strategies for addressing rural homelessness offered in new report • Senate Committee and full House pass different Farm Bills •Changes proposed for construction to permanent mortgages guaranteed by USDA • Final set of Opportunity Zones announced • HUD designates EnVision Centers in 17 communities • Deadline extended for commenting on USDA regulations • Kraninger nominated to be CFPB director

HAC News pdf

June 11, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 12

Senate Committee advances 2019 HUD funding • House votes to rescind funds, including USDA Rental Assistance • ROSS Service Coordinator funds available • HUD offers Tribal Healthy Homes grants • USDA and NCDFIs partner to increase Native homeownership • CFPB dismisses members of three advisory boards • UN report critiques US approach to poverty • Answers to some common housing questions posted • Guide helps select USDA refinancing for homeowners • June is National Homeownership Month • HAC seeks workshop proposals • Save the date for the 2018 HAC Rural Housing Conference! • Nominate local and national leaders for HAC awards • Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC News Formats. pdf

May 25, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 11

HUD changes course on 2015 fair housing regulation• Senate committee approves 2019 USDA funding bill • House begins work on 2019 HUD funding • Dodd-Frank provisions rolled back for banks, manufactured homes • GAO makes recommendations to USDA and Congress on preserving rural rentals • Revised bills propose changes to preserve rural rental housing • Advocate’s guide to rural housing preservation published • Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants offered • USDA seeks partnerships in the Section 502 direct loan program • More Opportunity Zones announced • Farm Bill fails in House • Tribal VASH notices updated • Inclusionary zoning map shows local and state programs • African Americans and Hispanics still far from equal with whites, National Urban League reports

HAC News Formats. pdf

May 11, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 10

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month• Administration requests rescission of $40 million in rural Rental Assistance • House subcommittee passes FY19 USDA spending bill • HUD sued over fair housing regulation change • Deadline extended for comments on Affordable Housing Program • Temporary authorization issued to help use Section 502 direct funds • New HAC report looks at mortgage finance in Indian Country • 50 years of fair housing reviewed • HMDA data show banks reduced lending to low- and moderate-income homeowners •Farmworker hiring increased 2008-2016, USDA reports • NEA offers creative placemaking grants • White House renews faith-based initiatives • CFPB amends timing for “know before you owe” mortgage disclosure rule

HAC News Formats. pdf

April 27, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 9

HUD proposes to raise rents and allow work requirements • Joel Baxley named RHS Administrator • Pilot program to fund housing changes for low-income veterans with disabilities • Webinars on rural multifamily loan guarantees offered by HAC and USDA • HUD offers Section 811 vouchers, encourages PHAs/IHAs to partner with supportive services • Department of Justice launches initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing • Unnumbered Letter lists set-asides and state allocations for USDA single-family direct programs • Annual data on USDA-assisted tenants released • Section 515 funds available for properties affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria • Deadline for state Opportunity Zones designations passes, early designations analyzed • RD accepts comments on program delivery, shares best practices for rural economic development • CFPB requests comments on handling of consumer complaints • GAO suggests changes in federal agency collaborations for elderly housing and health • Save the date for the 2018 HAC Rural Housing Conference • Need capital for your affordable housing project?

HAC News Formats. pdf

April 12, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 8

Executive Order addresses work requirements • Draft Farm Bill includes SNAP work requirements • CRA recommendations released by Treasury Department • Opportunity Zones designated in 18 states and territories • HUD invites Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants applications • Stakeholders suggest Rural Development provisions for Farm Bill • RD clarifies asset management fee for nonprofits • Section 538 industry calls planned • HUD income limits set • CFPB requests comments on its guidance and its consumer financial education • Appraisal threshold increased • Comments requested to improve FHFA regulations • Wage gap for rural women quantified • Disaster survivors’ stories sought

HAC News Formats. pdf

March 29, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 7

April is Fair Housing Month• Final FY18 funding bill supports housing programs • Carson testifies on FY19 HUD budget proposal and HUD oversight • Rural broadband applications now accepted • Area eligibility changes proposed for rural housing programs • CFPB seeks more comments, extends deadlines • Pilot program to evaluate feasibility of mixed income occupancy in farmworker housing • GAO suggests improvements to RAD • USDA continues two-tier income pilot for single-family housing • USDA’s updated area loan limits go into effect January 17 and March 30 • Last Keepseagle appeals rejected by Supreme Court • NLIHC releases 2018 Advocates’ Guide

HAC News Formats. pdf

March 16, 2018
Vol. 47, No. 6

Senate passes Dodd-Frank revisions • Negotiations continue on FY18 funding • Affordable Housing Program rule changes proposed • USDA proposes reorganizing its civil rights management • Housing and community facilities sites encouraged to host Summer Meals Program • Housing included in Senate Democrats’ infrastructure plan • Perdue testifies on rural infrastructure • CFPB invites applications for advisory boards, requests input on rulemaking and reporting • Sen. Cochran announces resignation • Proposed change to HUD’s mission statement draws criticism • Shortage of 7.2 million homes documented by NLIHC • CFPB issues 2018 list of rural or underserved counties • Roundtables scheduled on rural opioid misuse • HAC to host American Indian Housing Symposium: Brainstorming New Strategies for Systemic Housing Challenges, Rapid City, SD, May 2-3.