General News
California Enacts Law to Fast Track Housing for the Homeless
On September 26 California Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA), signed into law Assembly Bill 2162, a measure that would fast-track housing for the homeless by bypassing some of the local approval hurdles.
Fannie Mae Calls for Ideas on Healthy Affordable Housing; Issues $10 million Innovation Challenge
Fannie Mae announced today a new Call for Ideas on Healthy Affordable Housing. The application period is open from September 26, 2018 through November 1, 2018.
Harvard JCHS Working Paper Explores Measuring Housing Affordability Measures
The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies has published the new working paper “Measuring Housing Affordability: Assessing the 30 Percent of Income Standard.”
Rep. Mark Meadows Introduce Bill to Renew Opportunity Zone Incentive
Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC) has introduced H.R. 6890, the Creating Advancement and Personal Improvement in Targeted American Localities (CAPITAL) Act of 2018.
Harvard JHCS Blog Post Highlights Affordability Issues for Older Americans
Harvard Joint Center for Housing researchers Jennifer Molinsky and Whitney Airgood-Obrycki recently published a blogpost highlighting the rising in housing affordability challenges for older Americans. “Due to both population growth and soaring housing costs, the number of adults age 65 and over struggling to afford housing is growing. The number of cost-burdened older households – […]
Policy Minute: New York City Property Tax Reform
This week, the New York City Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform will begin holding a series of public hearings on the current property tax system in New York City. Convened by Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Corey Johnson in May, the commission is charged with developing proposals to make the system simpler, clearer, […]
Housing Bonds Set New Record in 2017, According to CDFA Report
WASHINGTON–Sept. 20, 2018–Combined tax-exempt private activity bond (PAB) issuance for multifamily and single-family housing set a record in 2017, according to a report issued today by the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA).
HUD Webinar Focuses on Preservation of Pre-1974 Section 202 Direct Loan Properties Post Poned
HUD is pleased to announce the Preservation of Pre-1974 Section 202 Direct Loan Properties webinar. This webinar is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 2:00 PM EDT.
CA Governor Signs SB 1477: Incentives for New Low-Emissions Affordable Homes
During the Global Climate Summit last week, the Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 1477 (Stern), which will incentivize low-emissions technologies for affordable housing.
HUD Updates RAD Resource Desk
On Monday, September 10, HUD launched a variety of enhancements to the RAD Resource Desk to allow users to more easily manage their RAD transactions.
Housing Assistance Council Publishes New Assessment State of Rural Rental Housing
The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) has published a new report entitled, “RENTAL HOUSING FOR A 21ST CENTURY RURAL AMERICA USDA’s Rural Rental Housing Portfolio: A Platform for Preservation.”
Amazon’s Bezos to Commit $2 Billion to Homeless Programs, Preschools in Low Income Areas
Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos announced on Twitter (@JeffBezos) that he and his wife, MacKenzie, would commit $2 billion to “exisiting non-profits that help homeless families, and creating a network of new, nonprofit, tier-one preschools in low-income communities.”