Federal / Agency News
HUD Publishes FY 2026 OCAFs
The Office of Multifamily Housing Programs published Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2026 in the Federal Register, establishing operating cost adjustment factors (OCAFs) for Section 8 project-based rental assistance contracts with a contract anniversary date on or after February 11, 2026. HUD is soliciting comments about the methodology and data sources used to determine the OCAF as described […]
Building a Solid Foundation: Restoring Trust and Transparency in Public Housing Agencies
The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations held an oversight hearing examining the operations and oversight of public housing agencies (PHAs). Republicans emphasized the lack of oversight and misuse of funds appropriated by Congress, while Democrats highlighted unsafe living conditions for tenants, chronic underfunding of public housing programs, and the impact of HUD […]
House Passes Housing for the 21st Century Act
The House approved the Housing for the 21st Century Act with strong bipartisan support (390–9). The bill includes many provisions supported by NH&RA: What They’re Saying: House Republican and Committee on Financial Services leadership released statements celebrating passage. Chair of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, Mike Flood (R-NE), also shared a video on LinkedIn. What’s […]
HUD Announces ROSS RRP Funding Availability
HUD announced Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Rapid Response Program (RRP) funding available to eligible applicants in awards ranging from $150,000 to $250,000 based on resident populations. These awards are a one-time funding opportunity designed to allow awardees to respond quickly to unexpected disasters and urgent social needs in HUD-assisted communities. Register Here to attend […]
HUD Publishes List of Regulatory Waivers For Second Quarter of 2025
The Federal Register published a list of regulatory waivers granted by HUD from April 1 to June 30, 2025 for:
House Financial Services Housing Hearings Next Week
The House Committee on Financial Services will host two housing related hearings next Tuesday, February 10: Go Deeper: In mid-January, Rep. Lawler (R-NY) introduced the Improving Public Housing Agency Accountability Act, which requires annual reports on key details of public housing, including compliance with the law, the physical and financial state of the housing, and […]
Census Publishes 2025 Population & Housing Unit Estimates
The US Census Bureau published the Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables late last week. The data release was delayed by one month due to the government shutdown in the fall. The population figures determine the amount of 9% LIHTCs and Private Activity Bonds allocated to each state. NH&RA is working to update it’s QAP […]
Floor Vote Expected Next Week for Housing for the 21st Century Act
House leadership is targeting next week for a vote on Housing for the 21st Century Act. In Context: The House Committee on Financial Services passed the bill almost unanimously (50-1) last year. See NH&RA’s write up on the bill and the hearing in our December 24 edition. Dive Deeper: The bill could be considered under […]
FY26 HUD Appropriations Funded by Congress
The Senate and House passed five FY 2026 appropriations bills, including HUD funding, and approved a separate two-week continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security. By the Numbers: The HUD budget totals $77.3 billion — a $7.3 billion increase over the previous fiscal year. You can read a more in-depth summary […]
A Path Home: Rebuilding the American Dream and Restoring Housing Affordability
Senator Gallego (D-AZ) released his housing plan, A Path Home: Rebuilding the American Dream and Restoring Housing Affordability, which includes short- and long-term solutions to address America’s housing affordability crisis. Breaking It Down: Highlights of the 36-page plan include:
HUD Updates Middle-Income Housing Underwriting Standards and Thresholds
On January 22, 2026, HUD issued a mortgagee letter updating the underwriting standards and thresholds for Middle Income Housing under the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA’s) Office of Multifamily Housing loan programs. The Middle Income Housing initiative aims to stimulate housing production, address current real estate and finance markets, and ensure the continued availability and stability […]
HUD Orders Immediate Citizenship Verification for All Tenants in HUD-Funded Housing Nationwide
HUD announced to all Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and owners of HUD-funded housing that they have 30 days to respond to a new report in the Enterprise Income Verification System (EIV) regarding verification of immigration status. In Context: HUD sent a letter to PHAs and owners on December 16, 2025 reminding them of their legal […]