General News
Secretary Carson: HUD Considering Incentivizing Removal of Local Barriers to Affordable Housing
In a speech at the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show, Secretary Carson said, “we are looking into ways that would incentivize local officials to cut back on archaic state and local regulatory barriers, such as outmoded zoning and land use restrictions.” Politico’s Katy O’Donnell reports Sec. Carson said, “if we tell a […]
HUD Expands FHA’s LIHTC Pilot to Include Sections 221(d)(4) and 220
HUD announced the expansion a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) pilot program that streamlines FHA mortgage insurance applications for affordable housing developments that have equity from the sale of LIHTC Program to also include Section 221(d)(4) and Section 220 loan products.
Missouri FY 2019 Draft Action Plan, Webinar Feb. 22
The Missouri Department of Economic Development, in conjunction with the Missouri Housing Development Commission, the Missouri Department of Social Services, and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, will host a webinar on the draft 2019 Action Plan for the State of Missouri.
San Jose to Invest $100 Million in Affordable Housing
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccarddo announced that the city will devote nearly $100 million to 11 projects across the city over the next several years. The 11 projects are expected to provide 1,144 apartments to formerly homeless residents, low-income seniors and other vulnerable groups.
$25 Million Allocated for Housing to Benefit Communities Impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
The Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) released a $25 million Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to increase and preserve affordable housing opportunities in 37 parishes impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Specifically, $14.7 M has been allocated for recovery in New Orleans, which sustained the largest amount of damage from Katrina. The remaining dollars will be made available in all parishes that were impacted by the storms.
Opportunity Zones Knock for Investors
This New York Times article explains the benefits of the Opportunity Zones program for investors, developers and communities. “It’s arguably the most significant tax break in decades,” said Ben Miller, co-founder and chief executive of Fundrise, a real estate crowdfunding site that is sponsoring an opportunity fund. The funds are generally not for small-time investors. […]
Oregon Releases Statewide Housing Plan
Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Housing and Community Services released the statewide 5-year housing plan, Breaking New Ground. The plan focuses on six priorities and includes measurable goals to work towards by 2023:
California Announces Awardees of National Housing Trust Fund
The California Department of Housing and Community Development awarded more than $30 million from the National Housing Trust Fund program to help build new housing affordable for extremely low-income households.
Mark Stivers – Acting Deputy Director for the Division of Financial Assistance at HCD
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced the hire of Mark Stivers as the acting Deputy Director for the Division of Financial Assistance. The Division of Financial Assistance administers the HCD’s loan and grant programs.
Minnesota Housing Requests Input on 2019 Action Plan
Minnesota Housing is holding a public hearing on the 2019 Action Plan on Feb. 21 at 4 pm at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Room 1240, 444 Lafayette Road, St. Paul. Minnesota Housing, along with the Department of Employment and Economic Development and Department of Human Services, is developing the action plan which directs how the state will meet needs and priorities in 2019 and will be submitted to HUD to receive federal housing and community assistance funding.
LA to Launch New $120 Million Supportive Housing Initiative
The Los Angeles City Council has voted unanimously to set aside $120 million, 10 percent of the Proposition HHH supportive housing bond, for a pilot program that seeks strategies for expediting and containing the cost of permanent supportive housing development.
Tennessee Legislature Bill Takes Aim at Affordable Housing Crisis
Members of the Tennessee legislature are pushing a bill that would help ease housing affordability challenges in urban areas. The Affordable Rental Property Act would give tax breaks to property owners offering rents below a certain affordability threshold. These tax breaks would be available in areas that currently lack sufficient affordable housing and are specifically targeted towards […]