News

A new National Opportunity Zones Ranking report ranks each of the designated Opportunity Zones based on its Smart Growth Potential as well as its Social Equity and Vulnerability Index score to create a “Smart Growth Potential” filter for investors to identify which Opportunity Zones should be prioritized for investment from a triple-bottom-line perspective that can deliver positive economic, environmental and social returns.

Nondefense discretionary (NDD) United is leading a letter urging Congress to end the Budget Control Act of 2011 sequester spending caps. Overall NDD funding would be cut by 12 percent (adjusting for inflation) compared to fiscal 2019 levels. NH&RA signed the letter and encourages our members to consider signing as well. The deadline to sign the letter is Feb. 15.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) will hold an oversight hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 4 p.m. ET on HUD’s management of rental assistance contracts during the shutdown.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing Programs issued two memos regarding the resumption of Multifamily production and asset management activities.

The General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing issued a letter that provides information on the status of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program funding and the Public Housing Operating Fund under the Continuing Resolution that funds the government through Feb. 15.

In London Breed’s first State of the City address as San Francisco’s mayor she announced plans for a charter amendment to make affordable and teacher housing development as-of-right in San Francisco. The charter amendment proposed for the November 2019 election, would allow 100 percent affordable and teacher housing proposals that comply with existing zoning laws to bypass the usual bureaucratic and appeals process that can result in long and costly delays.

Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) released an outline for housing finance reform legislation. In a statement Chairman Crapo said, “we must expeditiously fix our flawed housing finance system. My priorities are to establish stronger levels of taxpayer protection, preserve the 30-year fixed rate mortgage, increase competition among mortgage guarantors, and promote access to affordable housing.” 

The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) released Opportunities to End Homelessness and Housing Poverty in the 116th Congress, a memo to incoming members of Congress on steps to address the lack of decent, accessible and affordable housing. The report calls on members of Congress to:

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of New York (City) and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced an agreement that will address the longstanding issues at the housing authority’s properties.

On Feb. 5 from 1 -2 pm ET, HUD will host a webinar to review new RAD rents for public housing conversions based on final FY 18 Operating Fund and Capital Fund data.

MassINC, the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance, and LOCUS are hosting a forum on Feb. 27, 2019 focused on stimulating transformative investment in Gateway Cities with the state’s Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) and federal Opportunity Zone Funds. The free event will run from 1-2:30 pm ET in the Massachusetts State House – Room 428 (24 […]

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will hold a Housing Stability Council meeting will be on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 from 9 am – 1 pm PT. Attendees can participate in person at OHCS (725 Summer St. NE, Salem, OR) in conference room 124 A/B or via phone: 1-877-273-4202; Participant Code: 4978330. The meeting materials […]

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released the Final Housing for a Healthy California (HHC) Program Guidelines. The Guidelines incorporate feedback from participants through public comment letters, and additional conversations and research during the public outreach period.