Rural Housing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide lists federal programs that can help rural communities, organizations and residents impacted by COVID-19.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) created a searchable database and map of multifamily properties covered under the federal moratoriums to help renters know if they are protected.

President Trump’s Administration released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget request, “A Budget for America’s Future.” HUD is allocated $47.9 billion in funding, a 15.2 percent decrease over FY 2020 enacted levels with notable zeroing out of the HOME program, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Public Housing Capital Fund, Choice Neighborhoods and HOPE VI.

RED Mortgage Capital (RED) announced that they have provided a $950,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-backed loan for the recently completed New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) Walnut Hills Apartments project in Penn Yan, NY.

The Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Board of Directors recently approved funding to Biggs Development, Justus Property Management & Greystone Affordable Development and Woda Cooper as part of the Moving Forward Rural Development (RD) program.

Woda Cooper Companies recently celebrated the Grand Opening of Towne Creek Crossing in Walton, KY. This is a new multifamily community offering 44 affordable rental townhomes for households earning up to 60 percent of area median income. Co-developed by Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. and Housing Services Alliance, Towne Creek Crossing is comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom townhomes for families, singles or seniors.

Last week the Senate voted 84-9 to pass a four-bill FY 2020 spending package that includes funding for Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment and Transportation-HUD. The bill includes modest increases over FY 2019 funding levels for rental assistance programs but cuts funding for Choice Neighborhoods, Housing for Persons with AIDS, Indian Housing Block Grants and Community Development Block Grants.

On Tuesday, the Senate advanced a spending FY 2020 funding package that includes funding for Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment and Transportation-HUD. The full Senate is expected to vote on the package this week or early next week.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) published a Final Rule that would eliminate the requirement for the annual publication of a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for its Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing program. The rule becomes effective on November 14, 2019. The Section 538 program will follow procedures similar to other Rural Development guaranteed […]

Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2019 (S. 2567). The bill would expand U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) rental assistance programs, permanently authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Multifamily Housing Preservation and Revitalization program, and direct RD to better align its policies […]

Last week the House passed a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government through November 21, 2019, averting a government shutdown as Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 comes to a close. The measure (H.R. 4378) passed the House with a veto-proof majority vote of 301-123. The Senate is expected to pass the measure and the President is expected to sign the bill before the end of the fiscal year.

Donald “DJ” LaVoy was sworn in on September 17 as deputy under secretary for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. DJ most recently served as the head of HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center. The under secretary for Rural Development position, eliminated by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and reinstated by Section 12407 of the […]