LIHTC

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…

House Financial Services Committee Chair Barney Frank (D-Mass.) laid out the committee’s policy priorities for 2009 in a wide ranging press conference today, February 3. The agenda includes a number of affordable housing related items.

The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency has published its final 2009 qualified allocation plan for its low-income housing tax credit program.

Over the weekend Senate Democrats and several moderate Republicans negotiated a compromise version of HR1: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that appears to be poised to pass the United States Senate on Tuesday. A key procedural vote to end debate on the measure passed the Senate on a 61-36 vote Monday evening (February 9).

The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) is accepting entries for the 15th Annual Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards competition.

Global Green USA has completed its 4th annual analysis and ranking this year after looking at the 2008 Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs) for all 50 states.

The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee has issued a notice that defines 2009 threshold basis limits for 9% and 4% tax credit applications.

The U.S. Senate voted to adopt on SA 161 on February 4. Offered by Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) this amendment to the HR1: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 would provide $2,000,000,000 in gap funding for LIHTC projects to be available through September 30, 2011. There are several amendments still waiting to be considered that could impact the LIHTC Program.

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority has issued a memo to provide clarification regarding the policies and requirements it will employ in its 2009 competitive low-income housing tax credit funding rounds. These clarifications address what WHEDA will do with applications that meet or fail to meet the threshold criteria, what it will do with applications that meet the threshold criteria but don’t receive an allocation, which unsuccessful applicants can re-apply in the future, and other areas.

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee on January 27 by 14-9 approved the tax component of the economic stimulus bill, after adopting a number of amendments to the original “Chairman’s mark.” The approved package proposes approximately $522 billion in tax cuts and tax incentives including many intended to save or create jobs and bolster the national economy.

The National Housing & Rehabilitation Association along with more than 30 other organizations have signed and sent to Congress a letter outlining four specific proposed changes to the low-income housing tax credit program and asking that they be included in the final economic stimulus bill that lawmakers are now crafting.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has announced a series of six public hearings to be held around the state during April 6-13 to solicit comments on applications received by the agency in its 2009 competitive funding round for low-income housing tax credits.