Federal / Agency News

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

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.

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

Community Development Entities interested in applying for New Markets Tax Credit allocation authority under the 2015 round have until 5:00 pm EST, on December 16, 2015 to submit their application.

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund clarified some key aspects of compliance monitoring in a recent update to its New Markets Tax Credit Compliance Monitoring Frequently Asked Questions document.

According to a recent alert from NixonPeabody, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 includes partnership audit reforms.

Enterprise will offer guidance on engaging members of Congress to restore funding to the HOME program through a series of statewide and national webinars. The Senate Appropriations Committee’s proposed cuts to HOME would essentially defund the program.

The Congressional Budget Office released an updated guide to federal housing programs, entitled Federal Housing Assistance for Low-Income Households (September 2015). For the first time, the guide includes the Rental Assistance Demonstration program.

The LIHTC and bond caps are the greater of $2.35 and $100, respectively, being multiplied by the state’s population, or a predetermined amount. The notice also indicates that rehabilitation expenditures will be treated as a separate new building.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund released the Notice of Allocation Availability for the calendar year 2015 round of the New Markets Tax Credit Program. Applications are due December 16.

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.

HUD established operating cost adjustment factors (OCAFs) for certain project-based assistance contracts with an anniversary date on or after February 11, 2016.