Public Housing

HUD announced Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Action Grants, designed to spur the redevelopment of severely distressed public and HUD-assisted housing and transform surrounding neighborhoods. PHAs that are considering applying for RAD for demolition and new construction, or major rehabilitation or reconstruction, are encouraged to apply for a Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Action Grant.

HUD proposed a rule that would implement a smoke-free policy in all public housing, other than dwelling units in mixed-finance buildings. Comments on this proposed rule are due by January 19.

HUD Office of Public Housing Investments issued a schedule for processing mixed-finance projects intending to close by the end of the 2015 calendar year.

Public housing authorities (PHAs) have more flexibility when setting flat rents that are based on fair market rents (FMR), following HUD’s interim rule PIH-2015-13, which was published September 8, 2015.

HUD released two new files to assist public housing authorities to calculate and access the public housing subsidy that will be available to properties converted under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program.

The U.S Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) announced changes to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program Resource Desk for 1st component awardees. These changes seek to better allow for the exchange of transaction documents and communications.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released FY 2015 Income Limits. The income limits determine who’s eligible for HUD assisted housing programs.

Representatives from more than 100 of the nation’s top affordable housing organizations gathered at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL, last week for the 2015 NH&RA Annual Meeting. The event’s panel sessions created dialogues on what’s challenging – and exciting – affordable housing developers, illuminated the products and people who will shape the tax credit transactions in upcoming year, offered options to properties approaching year 15, and surveyed key changes to tax credit programs and legislation.

NH&RA’s first-ever Public Housing Joint Venture Symposium offered attendees a unique opportunity to gain insight into the progress and updates to key HUD programs. More than 100 developers, syndicators, lenders, and other members of the affordable housing community gathered to voice their concerns and questions to HUD representatives, as well as connect with peer organizations who are working on similar issues.

On February 2, President Barack Obama introduced his fiscal year (FY) 2016 budget, requesting a total of $49.3 billion for Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs and proposing significant policy changes aimed at improving the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and a proposal to modify and permanently extend the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program.

HUD recently announced the FY 2014 Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant awardees. HUD is awarding $3.2 million in Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants.

HUD recently issued a Notice in Federal Register seeking to streamline requirements across the public housing and Section 8 (tenant- and project-based) portfolios.