News

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee on January 27 by 14-9 approved the tax component of the economic stimulus bill, after adopting a number of amendments to the original “Chairman’s mark.” The approved package proposes approximately $522 billion in tax cuts and tax incentives including many intended to save or create jobs and bolster the national economy.

The National Housing & Rehabilitation Association along with more than 30 other organizations have signed and sent to Congress a letter outlining four specific proposed changes to the low-income housing tax credit program and asking that they be included in the final economic stimulus bill that lawmakers are now crafting.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has announced a series of six public hearings to be held around the state during April 6-13 to solicit comments on applications received by the agency in its 2009 competitive funding round for low-income housing tax credits.

The New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority recently published its 2009 Utility Allowance Schedule for its Section 8 Existing Housing Program.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority has published its draft 2009 qualified allocation plan for its low-income housing tax credit program.

President Obama on Monday announced Ron Sims as his nominee for Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has published the latest edition of its U.S. Housing Market Conditions report for the 3rd quarter of 2008.

The National Association of Homebuilders National Green Building Standard for all single-family homes, apartments and condos; land development; and residential remodeling and renovation was approved on Jan. 29 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has updated HUD Form 9250 (Reserve Fund for Replacement Authorizations) with new language that requires owners/agents of HUD projects to indicate whether the requested withdrawal of replacement reserve funds will be used to replace appliances and/or major components with energy efficient products/systems.

The Arizona Department of Housing has scheduled low-income housing tax credit compliance training for April 14, 15, and 16 in Phoenix.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are inviting nominations for the 2009 HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has published three new comprehensive housing market analysis reports for Albuquerque, NM, Ventura County, CA, and Shreveport-Bossier City, LA.