Green/Sustainable Housing

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu recently announced a partnership between the two departments to better coordinate efforts and provide additional guidance on weatherization and energy efficiency retrofits for existing housing.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a new partnership to help American families gain better access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs.

The House of Representatives has passed its omnibus appropriations bill (HR 1105) covering nearly all of the federal government for the balance of federal Fiscal Year 2009, which ends this September 30.

Please see the following summary of key provisions from the conference report of HR 1: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The House of Representatives and Senate voted in favor of the measure and President Obama signed the measure into law Tuesday, Feb. 17.

NH&RA has made available individual PowerPoint presentations from the recent 2009 Annual Meeting & NMTC Symposium, March 11-15 in Key Largo, Florida.

Congressional Quarterly (CQ) has reported that the Obama Administration this week will unveil plans to link and coordinate federal transportation and housing policy, with a focus on livable communities.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) will hold a meeting on February 20 in Washington, DC to provide an update on Preserve America Program Summit Implementation and on transition activities.

NH&RA’s Council for Energy Friendly Affordable Housing is pleased to report that several key provisions from its ‘green’ legislative agenda have been incorporated in HR1: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This includes substantial funding dedicated to retrofitting HUD assisted multifamily projects.

The US House of Representatives has passed HR 1, its $819 billion economic stimulus bill on a vote of 244-188. The House adopted several amendments prior to passing the measure that clarify how funds dedicated to transportation can be spent and strengthening whistleblower protections. The US Senate is scheduled to consider its measure, which is considerably different, in the next few days.

At press time the Economic Recovery Act was still in conference committee and specific text was not available; however, Congressional leadership has indicated that House a compromise has been agreed upon that will cost about $789 billion. Reports of housing provisions include…

The conference committee has released a summary of appropriations provisions in HR 1: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The measure provides $311 billion in appropriations. Highlights include:

The United State Senate has approved HR1: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on a vote of 61-37. The Congressional Budget Office reports that the current version of the measure would cost $838 billion over ten years. Only three Republicans voted in favor of the measure. The package now heads to a House-Senate conference to resolve differences between the two versions. A compromise measure is expected towards the end of the week. A summary of the key housing and tax credit related provisions include…