Rural Housing

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) released an updated Application Submission Package to reflect the new 2019 QAP and Guide. This application package must be used for requests for financing for all competitive and noncompetitive funding sources, including Rental Housing Program Funds, Multifamily Bond Program, Federal LIHTC, Rental Housing Works, and the […]

Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Housing and Community Services released the statewide 5-year housing plan, Breaking New Ground. The plan focuses on six priorities and includes measurable goals to work towards by 2023:

On Jan. 31 from 9 – 11:30 am ET the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA) and the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) will host a discussion on financial and technical resources available for energy audits and energy upgrades at multi-family housing properties.

The US House of Representatives passed two appropriations bills that would fund the Departments of Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies (H.R. 267) as well as the Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (H.R. 265). H.R. 267 passed with a vote of 244-180, with twelve Republicans voting in favor of […]

Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) hired Seth Leonard of Winooski for the newly created position of Managing Director of Community Development. Leonard comes to VHFA from the USDA Office of Rural Development, where he served as Housing Program Director for Vermont and New Hampshire. Prior to that, Leonard worked at VHFA for four years as Homeownership Outreach Coordinator.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue sent a letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Chairman Robert Aderhold (R-AL) to explain staffing changes within the Rural Housing Service (RHS) Section 538 rental guarantee program and Section 515 rental loan program.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a proposed rule that would eliminate the notice of funding availability (NOFA) for the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program.

The U.S. Department of the Agriculture though the Rural Utilities Service is accepting applications for the Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees Program. Loans will be made available for the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment that will provide service at the Broadband Lending Speed in eligible rural areas with loans ranging from $100,000 to $25 million.

Freddie Mac has published two new white papers titled, “Spotlight on Underserved Markets: LIHTC in Rural Middle Appalachia”  and “Spotlight on Underserved Markets: LIHTC in Indian Areas.” In the first paper, Freddie Mac explores Middle Appalachia’s multifamily housing market with a special focus on the primary means of developing affordable housing in undeserved markets: the […]

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is requesting public input on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s (the Enterprises) proposed modifications to their 2018-2020 Underserved Markets Plans (Plans) under the Duty to Serve (DTS) program.

On September 19, 2018 USDA Rural Development Administrator Joel Baxley issued an Unnumbered Letter to provide guidance to State Rural Development Directors on reallocating Rental Assistance (RA) units currently held in the Administrator’s reserve back to the State in which the units originated and allow States to use RA when properties are paid in full henceforth.

The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) has published a new report entitled, “RENTAL HOUSING FOR A 21ST CENTURY RURAL AMERICA USDA’s Rural Rental Housing Portfolio: A Platform for Preservation.”