Rural Housing
Oregon Governor Announces Strategy to End Homelessness; Proposes Major New Investment in Affordable Housing Development
Oregon Governor Kate Brown has announced a new strategy to prioritize ending homelessness for children and veterans, and to increase housing affordability for all Oregonians. Through the publication of a white paper entitled “Housing Policy Agenda: Housing Stability for Children, Veterans and the Chronically Homeless and Increased Housing Supply for Urban and Rural Communities” Governor […]
Nancie-Ann Bodell Named Director, Multifamily Housing Programs at Rural Development
Bodell replaces Stephanie White, who retired in 2017.
White House Proposal Would Move Rural Housing Programs to HUD, Transfer CDBG to Dept. of Commerce
The proposal would reorganize several aspects of the Federal Government, with affordable housing and GSE reform in the mix.
Senate Votes Down Rescissions
Due to procedural rules, Congress had until June 22 to pass the rescissions with a simple majority.
Joel Baxley Appointed as New Rural Housing Service Administrator
On April 19, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced his appointment of Joel Baxley to the Administrator position. Mr. Baxley will report directly to Anne Hazlett, Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development.
Georgia Designates 9 Communities as Rural Zones – State Tax Credits Available
The state has designated the communities of Bainbridge, Commerce, Cornelia, Fitzgerald, Jonesboro, Nashville, Perry, Springfield, and Toccoa as Rural Zones, a new program enacted by the legislature in 2017.
Rural Housing Services Aligns Financial Reporting Requirements With HUD
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is revising its existing regulations regarding financial reporting to establish risk thresholds, align requirements with HUD and reduce program operating costs to RD and its borrowers. This rule is effective November 24, 2017 and is optional in FY-2018 and will be mandatory in FY-2019. Additional highlights of the rule include: […]
Community Preservation Partners Closes Nation’s Largest Deal Under USDA Program
280-unit property to be covered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Section 515 program, ensuring affordability for seniors and $11.3M in improvements.
Texas: Requests for Rural Designation for 2017 Tax Credit Cycle Due Dec. 16
The Multifamily Finance Division has posted a packet for use by political subdivisions or census designated places requesting to be designated as “rural.”
Speaker Ryan’s Housing-Related Reforms Focus on Residents, Not Development
The plan makes brief mention of “harnessing the abilities of non-profits and other cost-effective service providers,” but largely focuses on public housing, rental assistance, and work requirements for residents.
House Committee Chair Wants to Improve Federal Housing Programs
House Financial Service Committee Chair Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) is looking for ways to improve HUD programs and USDA rural housing programs. Feedback is due Nov 1.
Housing Assistance Council Releases FY-2015 Rural Housing Program Report
A FY-2014 report from the Housing Assistance Council provides an overview of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) rural housing loan and grant obligation activity. For multi-family programs, the report looks at how Section 515 funds, multi-family housing vouchers, and rental assistance contracts were awarded.