Federal / Agency News

Increased competition for low income housing tax credits (LIHTC) is expanding the role qualified allocation plans (QAPs) plays in determining where developments are built, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The House Commmittee on Financial Services’ Housing and Insurance Subcommittee held an oversight hearing May 19 to examine the performance, challenges and budget priorities of the Rural Housing Service (RHS).

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will now release monthly updates on all active and closed Commitments to enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (CHAPs).

The U.S Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) announced changes to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program Resource Desk for 1st component awardees. These changes seek to better allow for the exchange of transaction documents and communications.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that it is revising the affordable housing lending categories that are excluded from the multifamily lending purchase caps established in the 2015 Scorecard for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Senators introduced a bill on May 5 to create a permanent floor for the low income housing tax credit. The bill is identical to the one introduced to the House in late February.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released recently a draft form of an updated Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) Guide. The agency is inviting stakeholders to provide feedback until May 14, 2015.

House Appropriations Transportation-HUD subcommittee approved a fiscal 2016 appropriations bill that would provide $55.27 in discretionary spending for infrastructure and housing programs. The measure would put FY-2016 funding above 2015 enacted levels, but still fall short of the Obama Administration’s budget request.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program is launching Water Wednesdays. The project intends to help HUD project officers and HUD grantees incorporate water efficiency into their programs and projects.

Congress passed a bill that will implement new measures to encourage building owners and tenants to use more cost-effective energy efficiency and water efficiency measures. The bill is a more modest version of a larger efficiency bill sponsored by Senators Portman and Shaheen.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the 2009-2011 National Rental Dynamics Report, which uses the longitudinal features of the American Housing Survey to track changes in rental housing affordability. The report examines how recent changes in affordability fit into the trajectory of the rental housing stock over the course of the recession and recovery.

The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance held a hearing on private sector involvement in affordable housing. The hearing focused on opportunities to leverage large private sector investments, including the HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration program and the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC).