HUD

The U.S. Senate on March 29 confirmed Maurice A. Jones to succeed the retired Ronald C. Sims for the position of Deputy Secretary of HUD.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report that identifies several tax expenditure programs that contribute to community development, several of which overlap with at least one other tax expenditure program in terms of the areas or activities funded.

HUD recently published a proposed rule which would amend the agency’s regulations governing the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program.

HUD’s Office of Policy Development & Research recently released its Quarterly Housing Market and Research Update, which includes a webcast panel discussion entitled, “Fair Housing Implications of LIHTC Property Placement.”

The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) recently released a report exploring the administration’s proposal to raise the minimum rent threshold for the lowest income Americans.

U.S. Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH) earlier this month introduced a new piece of legislation that would implement structural changes to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

HUD has issued a new notice establishing policies and procedures for the administration of the tenant-based Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance under the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program administered by public housing agencies (PHAs) that partner with local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development will hold a hearing on the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative entitled “The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative: A New Community Development Model” on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

HUD will host two webcasts on Tuesday, March 27 to go over programs to assist with elderly housing.

HUD released an updated Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) Guidebook on November 23, 2011 that includes revisions and updates to the original guidebook that was published August 22, 2011.

Shaun Donovan, Secretary of HUD, and Carol Galante, the Acting FHA Commissioner of HUD, recently issued a memo urging owners of HUD-assisted properties to develop policies and procedures that allow ex-offenders to reunite with families that currently reside at their properties.

HUD has announced Mark B. Van Kirk as the new Director of the Office of Asset Management.