Federal / Agency News

NH&RA News

NH&RA Hosts ICAST IRA & BIL Instant Benefit Estimate Calculator

ICAST’s IRA & BIL Instant Benefit Estimate Calculator is now available on NH&RA’s website under the Resources section.

Federal Housing Finance Agency

Under Proposed FHFA Rule, GSEs Earn Duty to Serve Credit through HUD Housing Programs

Tasked with ensuring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac meet a requirement to serve underserved markets, the Federal Housing Finance Agency proposed a rule that will allow the GSEs to earn Duty to Serve credit activities related to several HUD housing programs. A public comment period on the proposed rule is open for 90 days.

congress-capitol

FY 2016 Omnibus Bill Boosts Funding for Several Key Housing Programs

FY 2016 funding includes level and higher funding from FY 2015 levels for many key HUD housing programs. In most cases, the funding levels stop short of fully funding the programs’ needs, but are better than expected. Congress approved the omnibus funding measure on Friday, December 18.

HUD

HUD Finalizes FY 2016 Fair Market Rents

HUD finalized Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for fiscal year 2016. FMRs are used to set payment standards and rents for several HUD-assisted housing programs.

congress-capitol

New Law Helps Finance Energy, Water Retrofits for HUD-Assisted Housing

Several provisions related to federally-assisted housing, including a pay for success pilot to raise outside capital for energy and water retrofits, were signed into law with the FAST Act.

HUD

HUD Establishes Basic Statutory Mortgage Limits for Multifamily Housing Programs

The Department of Housing and Urban Development adjusted Basic Statutory Mortgage Limits for the Multifamily Housing Section 207, 213, 220, 221(d)(4), 231, 234 programs. They have an effective date of January 1, 2015.

HUD

HUD Provides Answers to Section 8 Renewal Policy Guide FAQs

The Department of Housing and Urban Development released responses to frequently asked questions regarding the Section 8 Renewal Policy Guide.

California

HUD Multifamily DAS Ben Metcalf Appointed to Lead California DHCD

California Governor Edmund Brown, Jr. appointed Ben Metcalf, former Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Multifamily Housing Programs, to direct the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

HUD

New HUD Grant Funds Available to Rehab Distressed Public Housing

HUD announced Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Action Grants, designed to spur the redevelopment of severely distressed public and HUD-assisted housing and transform surrounding neighborhoods. PHAs that are considering applying for RAD for demolition and new construction, or major rehabilitation or reconstruction, are encouraged to apply for a Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Action Grant.

HUD

HUD Announces 2016 DDAs and QCTs

HUD designated the Difficult to Develop Areas (DDA) and Qualified Census Tracts (QCT) that will be effective July 1, 2016. This is the first year Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) were used to designate metropolitan DDAs instead of metropolitan-area Fair Market Rents (FMRs).

HUD

HUD Publishes New Section 811 Project Rental Assistance FAQs

HUD answered frequently asked questions regarding the Section 811 project rental assistance program, including environmental review, fair housing, program administration, and requirements.

HUD

HUD Wants to Ban Smoking in Public Housing

HUD proposed a rule that would implement a smoke-free policy in all public housing, other than dwelling units in mixed-finance buildings. Comments on this proposed rule are due by January 19.

HUD

HUD to Host RAD Workshop in Louisiana December 10

The 2015 Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Workshop – Shreveport, LA is relevant to PHAs and other RAD stakeholders in HUD’s Region 4 and 6.

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