General News

For the first time ever, HUD allocated nearly $174 million through the nation’s Housing Trust Fund. By law, each state is allocated a minimum of $3 million.

If the State plans to select applications submitted by eligible recipients, the HTF allocation plan must include the application requirements and the criteria for the selection of applicants to meet the specified required funding priorities.

HUD published Annual Adjustment Factors, which are used to adjust contract rents for units assisted in certain Section 8 housing assistance payment programs during the initial term of the HAP contract.

Novogradac recently compiled a list of agencies’ criteria for addressing the community revitalization plan preference and found that all states have some form of recognizing CRPs or an equivalent, including target areas or redevelopment plans.

Tenants at Burbank Apartments in Massachusetts sued when the building’s owner decided not to renew a Section 8 contract with HUD, arguing that it would disproportionately impact people of color. The court’s final decision was made after careful consideration of last summer’s Supreme Court ruling on disparate impact and the Fair Housing Act.

HUD is holding a series of three regional workshops to discuss affordable housing and solar. These workshops will help providers and owners understand the tools and resources available via HUD’s RENEW300 initiative.

HUD expects to make individual allocations to States later this spring and anticipates these funds can be drawn upon as early as this summer. The Fund is capitalized through contributions by government sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Having a criminal record is not a protected characteristic under the Fair Housing Act, but race is. African Americans and Hispanics are arrested, convicted and incarcerated at rates disproportionate to their share of the general population. Many face significant barriers to securing housing because of their criminal history.

Last October, Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) introduced legislation seeking the first major changes to the Historic Tax Credit since 1986. Senators Cardin and Collins introduced similar legislation to the Senate in early March.

In addition to preserving housing for residents making a little at 30% of area median income, the project includes a unique workforce housing component for residents earning up to 95% of the area median income.

The survey asked respondents to indicate how likely they are to pursue new construction, substantial renovation, acquisition, refinancing, tax credit allocations, and more. In almost all cases, a majority of respondents said “yes.”

The ACTION Campaign is calling on Congress to address our nation’s severe shortage of affordable rental housing by raising the cap on Housing Credit allocation authority by at least 50 percent. Read the letter and sign on by Friday, March 11.