News

The House of Representatives has by a vote of 256-168 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill.

The US House of Representative passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (HR 2454) on June 26th. This far reaching climate change legislation includes an important section on building energy retrofits (Section 202). Additionally, the legislation incorporates Representative Ed Perlmutter’s (D-Colo.) Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Act (Subtitle H).

NH&RA’s HOPE VI Council is convening at the 2009 Summer Institute, on July 31 to brainstorm and provide feedback on the Obama Administration’s proposed Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI). The proposed FY-2010 HUD Budget has allocated $250 million for this program, which would replace the HOPE VI program and expand its scope to address neighborhoods in a broader based manner.

The IRS has issued a notice establishing announcing an initial allocation round of the advanced energy project credit under the program. $2.3 billion in tax credits will be available through the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit (MTC) program created, which was created in the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has named Michael Trailor as Director of the Arizona Department of Housing.

Milroy Alexander, Executive Director of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), announced his retirement, effective in November.

The Alabama Housing Finance Agency (AHFA) recently issued a notice of amendment to its allocation plan for the Section 1602 Tax Credit Exchange Program, provided for by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT), along with fellow Committee members Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Dan Akaka (D-HI) and Charles Schumer (D-NY), introduced legislation to help areas across the country plan and implement development projects that better integrate their community’s needs for transportation, housing, land use, and economic development.

HUD’s Office of Affordable Housing Programs has scheduled technical assistance training addressing Energy Efficiency. The Energy Efficiency course describes how a project can incorporate energy efficiency measures into rehabilitation and new construction programs.

The Urban Institute has published a new report entitled “The Uncharted, Uncertain Future Of HOPE VI Redevelopments: The Case for Assessing Project Sustainability.”

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s regulator, James Lockhart III plans to leave the job by the end of August 2009.

The National Multi Housing Coalition (NMHC) has released the results of its Quarterly Survey of Apartment Market Conditions.