News

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) is seeking greater participation on the part of constituents and stakeholders in helping to shape its future research agenda. PD&R is inviting suggestions and ideas from the public for new research projects to be funded in FY 2011 and beyond.

House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Sander Levin (D-Mich.) has indicated that he hope to have his tax credit extenders legislation (HR 4213) and small-business focused tax bill (HR 4849) enacted into law before Memorial Day.

Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson has signed a measure into law (SB 430) that removes the annual cap to the Kansas State Historic Tax Credit.

The House Financial Services Committee has released an update draft of comprehensive preservation legislation. The legislation addresses a wide-range of issues creating financing sources and mechanisms to preserve the affordability of HUD-assisted properties. The legislation is expected to be considered by the Ways & Means Committee some time shortly after the Spring recess (currently scheduled for March 29-April 9). Additionally, the legislation is expected to be a vehicle for other HUD oriented legislation including HR 4099, legislation endorsed by NH&RA’s Council For Energy Friendly Affordable Housing.

The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) today announced that owners of rent regulated apartments in New York State can now fulfill their Annual Rent Registration requirement completely online, avoiding time-consuming errors and eliminating paperwork and the need to mail forms or disks to DHCR.

The Hawaii State Legislature is considering a proposed measure that would establish a program to provide loans in lieu of low-income housing tax credits by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) last week introduced legislation (S. 3212) to provide tax incentives for the construction of “green” buildings.

The Obama administration recently released a set of seven questions for public input on the future of the nation’s housing finance system, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as the overall role of the federal government in housing policy.

The research symposium in PD&R’s newest issue of Cityscape A Journal of Policy Development and Research: (Volume 12, Number 1) examines the effects of the HOPE VI (Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere) public housing revitalization program.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)will hold an Informational Hearing on April 21, 2010 to take comments and suggestions for modifications to the QAP for 2011.

HUD has released a new discussion draft of Major Features of the 2011 Budget Proposal on Transforming Rental Assistance (TRA). TRA is a proposed multi-year initiative to preserve public and assisted housing by converting properties to a new project-based subsidy structure that includes a tenant mobility component.

Efforts are currently underway to incorporate several tax credit provisions into the Senate small business jobs bill. Timing is uncertain; however, reports indicate that the legislation could be considered in the next two weeks.