Federal / Agency News Category Archives

White House and HUD Publish Opportunity Zone Implementation Plan

| Federal / Agency News

The White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (Council) published its Implementation Plan, outlining a detailed work plan for how the Council—chaired by HUD Secretary Ben Carson—will accomplish the goals specified in Executive Order 13583 of December 12, 2018.In addition to developing an “OpportunityZones.gov” website, the Council and its Executive Director Scott Turner will be conducting listening tour sessions of rural, urban and suburban Opportunity Zones and other distressed communities throughout the remainder of 2019.

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Scott Turner Named White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council Executive Director

| Federal / Agency News

President Trump named Scott Turner as the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Turner will work with HUD Secretary Ben Carson who chairs the council to direct federal funding to opportunity zones. Turner served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2013 through 2017 and played in the NFL from 1995 to 2004 for the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos

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Review of HUD Policy in Opportunity Zones

| Federal / Agency News

HUD is seeking comments and recommendations on how to best align HUD policy, practices, planned action, regulations and guidance with Opportunity Zones. This request for information aligns with Executive Order 13853 which created the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council and directed federal agencies to prioritize or focus Federal investments and programs on urban and economically distressed communities, including qualified opportunity zones. Comments are due on June 17.

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AHTCC Sends Letter to FHFA Director

| Federal / Agency News

The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, of which NH&RA is a member, sent a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Dr. Mark Calabria to welcome him to his new role and thank him for his comments during the confirmation process on promoting access to affordable housing, retaining the Government Sponsored Enterprises’ (GSE) affordable housing goals and duty-to-serve requirements, and supporting the GSEs’ multifamily portfolio.

HUD Publishes New Proposed Section 3 Rule to Direct Employment and Other Opportunities for Low- and Very Low-Income Persons

| Federal / Agency News, Member News

On April 4, 2019, HUD published a proposed regulation to implement the policies of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended. As proposed, the new rule would represent an overhaul of HUD oversight and administration of Section 3 by integrating requirements into regular program oversight and enforcement mechanisms and removing a separate compliance review process.

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HUD Seeks Comments on Sec. 209 Pertaining to Small PHAs – Comments Due April 15

| Federal / Agency News

HUD issued a notice on implementing several sections of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S. 2155 of the 115th Congress) that was signed into law by President Trump on May 24, 2018. Section 209 of the bill made several amendments pertaining to small public housing agencies (PHAs) that administer 550 or fewer combined public housing units and vouchers under section 8(o) that predominantly operate in a rural area.

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