Federal / Agency News
Preservation Rent Increase for 202 Project Rental Assistance Contracts (PRACs)
HUD published Housing Notice 2025-04, introducing important updates to the Preservation Rent Increase for eligible Section 202 Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) properties pursuing a Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion. Key Updates in the Notice: Owners can submit requests for Preservation Rent Increases through the RAD Resource Desk. Office Hours for 202 PRAC Owners will […]
HUD Extends NSPIRE-V Mandatory Compliance Deadline
On September 10, 2025, HUD sent an email to PHA executive directors announcing the extension of the mandatory compliance deadline for inspection protocol for National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) for the Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Voucher programs (NSPIRE-V). The deadline for compliance moved from October 1, 2025 to February […]
DeMarzo Confirmed as Assistant Secretary of HUD
Benjamin DeMarzo was confirmed by the Senate as Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at HUD. Go Deeper: A recently passed rules change allows confirmation of nominees to be done “en bloc consideration.” DeMarzo was confirmed along with 47 other nominees. DeMarzo’s background can be found in our June 18 edition along with a […]
Senators Write to HUD OIG As Follow Up to CoC Lawsuit
Following last week’s temporary restraining order granted against HUD, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) sent a letter to HUD Acting Inspector General Brian Harrison requesting a review of the Continuum of Care (CoC) Builds funding competition. They asked HUD’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) to address whether HUD’s actions knowingly violated or […]
Possible Government Shutdown
Last week, Congress failed to pass two competing continuing resolutions (CRs) to fund the government beyond the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025. What’s Next: Senator Thune (R-SD) is expected to force a second vote on the House CR on Monday, September 29. The Senate is out on recess this week; Senators […]
New Map Resource on State 25 Percent Test Policies
NH&RA released a new resource map to track state policies implementing the 25 percent financed-by bond test. Click here to access the full list of state policies. Please email Ilana Morof with any additional policies.
U.S. District Judge Issues TRO Against HUD on $75 Million of CoC Funds
U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy in Rhode Island granted a temporary restraining order (TRO), blocking the Trump administration from altering criteria for $75 million in federal funds designated to build permanent supportive housing. Go Deeper: HUD announced new criteria for the Continuum of Care (COC) Builds Funds on September 5 that align with President Trump’s […]
Sen. Murray and Rep. DeLauro Release $410B Tracker of Frozen, Cancelled, and Terminated Funds
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, released an updated tracker detailing at least $410 billion in federal funding being frozen, cancelled, or terminated by the Trump administration. The tracker lists $32.137 billion worth of programs pertaining to affordable […]
Assistant Secretary Nominees Hobbs & Kurtz Confirmation Hearing
The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee held a hearing on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025 at 10 a.m. EST for the nominations of: The hearing was dominated by questions for the nominee for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Dr. Stephan Miran, with only brief mentions of housing from Senators Cortez […]
HOME Reform Act Markup Expected in October, BABA Case Studies Needed
Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE), Chair of the House Financial Services Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, announced he hopes to hold an October markup for the HOME Reform Act of 2025, a bipartisan proposal to modernize the HOME Investment Partnerships Program for the first time since 1992. In Context: In late July, Chairman Flood held a hearing for the […]
Trump Administration Considers Declaring National Housing Emergency
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told the Washington Examiner that President Trump may declare a national housing emergency this fall to address rising prices and dwindling supply. Why It Matters: Emergency declarations unlock additional executive powers through the National Emergencies Act. A primer on those powers is available through the Brennan Center.
DOL Raises Multiple Davis-Bacon Wage Threshold to $3.3M
On August 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published All-Agency Memorandum No. 251 updating the multiple Davis-Bacon wage determination threshold from $2.5 million to $3.3 million or 20% of the total project cost. Why This Matters: The higher threshold amount will allow more projects to use a single wage determination, thereby streamlining processes […]