Rural Housing

The House has passed a set of housing-related bills, advancing these measures to the Senate. The Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2019 (H.R. 3620) would permanently authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Multifamily Housing Preservation and Revitalization program, and would authorize $1 billion to carry out the program. The Safe Housing for Families Act of 2019 (H.R. 1690) would authorize over $300 million over three years to fund the installation and maintenance of carbon monoxide detectors in HUD’s public housing units.

Finally, the Homebuyer Assistance Act of 2019 (H.R. 2852) would make it easier for homebuyers to buy a home with a Federal Housing Administration mortgage by alleviating the current shortage of certified appraisers.

Minnesota Housing announced the availability of $10 million in state appropriations through the Rental Rehabilitation Deferred Loan (RRDL) pilot program for the rehabilitation of buildings that currently have a USDA Rural Development Section 515 mortgage. RRDL funds are available as a zero percent-interest deferred loan. Other loan structures may be considered based on project needs. […]

The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency) is proposing to amend its regulation to remove the stated amount that the Agency will charge for the initial and annual guarantee fees. The regulation change will allow the Agency the flexibility to establish or make any future changes to the initial and annual guarantee fees without […]

Joel Baxley, Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development (RD) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced that he will leave his position effective August 2, 2019. Prior to assuming the job as Acting Assistant to the Secretary, Joel was the Administrator for the Rural Housing Service. While the Administration works to identify […]

Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Jason Smith (R-MO) and Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Shelley Capito (R-WV), Mark Warner (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the Rural Jobs Act. The would authorize an additional $500 million in annual new markets tax credit (NMTC) allocation for 2019 and 2020 that would go to rural job zones.

On June 25, the House passed five of the twelve FY 2020 appropriations bills, including funding for HUD and RD, in H.R. 3055 with a 227-194 vote. The House has yet to approve FY 2020 funding for three appropriations subcommittees and has yet to raise the FY 2020 spending caps set by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Absent congressional action to raise the spending caps, all discretionary funding is estimated to receive a ten percent cut.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) announced that Biggs Development, Justice Property Management & Greystone Affordable Development and Woda Cooper Companies were selected to participate in the Moving Forward Rural Development (RD) Program. IHCDA, in partnership with Energy Systems Network (ESN), will work with these three groups to take on the challenge to preserve a minimum of 30 USDA Rural Development (RD) properties.

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a notice soliciting comments on changes to the Official Poverty Measure (OPM). The OPM is currently set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture based on the cost of food and subject to cost-of-living adjustments. This measure is used by the Department of Health and Human […]

The USDA announced the appointment of Bruce Lammers as the new Rural Housing Service (RHS) Administrator, effective May 28, 2019. Mr. Lammers will report directly to Joel Baxley, who formerly held the position and is now the Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development.

USDA Rural Development (RD) announced today that Jen Larson has accepted the position of Director for the Multi-Family Housing Portfolio Management Division, effective May 28, 2019.

The House Appropriations Committee recently approved FY 2020 allocations for its 12 subcommittees, known as 302(b)s. The allocations total $1.295 trillion in discretionary funding and were approved on a 30-22 vote.

The House Financial Services Committee will hold several upcoming hearings related to housing. Witnesses for the committee hearings are required to be published three days prior to event, excluding holidays and weekends. All hearings and markups will take place in 2128 Rayburn House Office Building and will be broadcast live.