Althea Arnold

Senior Vice President, Policy

Althea Arnold leads the policy efforts at Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF)-- a national collaborative of 12 nonprofit affordable housing developers who own, operate and manage 149,000 affordable rental homes in 49 across the country. SAHF's mission-driven alliance advances resident-centered policy changes and sustainable solutions within the affordable housing sector. As part of this, Althea works with key policymakers in Congress, HUD, and other federal and state agencies to build support and remove barriers to the preservation and production of high-quality affordable rental housing. Althea joined SAHF as Senior Vice President, Policy in 2020. Prior to SAHF, she served as a Senior Legislative & Policy Associate at the National Council of State Housing Agencies, focusing on federal appropriations, HUD multifamily programs, and supportive housing issues. Earlier in her career Althea worked at the National Low Income Housing Coalition researching affordable housing needs to inform housing policy. Althea holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University, with a concentration in nonprofit leadership, and a Bachelor of Art’s degree from Connecticut College. HFAi24 Sessions: Housing Credit Development Forum Industry Outlook AC23 Sessions: Managing Rising Multifamily Operating Costs Preservation of Housing for People with Special Needs HCC23 Sessions: HUD-Assisted Housing Forum, Part 1 HUD-Assisted Housing Forum, Part 2 HFAi23 Session: Industry Outlook AC22 Session: The Future of Senior Housing

HUD Releases Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Fee Study

HUD released its Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Fee Study earlier this week, marking the first time that HUD has collected empirical data on the actual costs to administer the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.

Rep. Ellison Introduces Mortgage Interest Deduction Reform Bill

Last week, Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN) introduced H.R. 1662, the Common Sense Housing Investment Act, which would replace the mortgage interest deduction with a 15 percent flat rate tax credit on interest paid on mortgages up to $500,000. The tax credit would be available to all homeowners, regardless of whether they claim the standard deduction or itemize their tax deductions.

HUD Issues Proposed VAWA Rule

Earlier this week, HUD Secretary Julián Castro announced HUD's proposed regulation implementing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization of 2013 (VAWA 2013).

House and Senate Budget Committees Approve FY 2016 Budget Plans

This week, both the House and the Senate Budget Committees reported their respective Budget Resolutions. The resolutions moved swiftly through the committees, having been released only days earlier by their Republican chairmen, Representative Tom Price (R-GA) and Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY). Both committee-passed resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor of their respective chambers the week of March 23-27.

HUD Reports Worst Case Housing Needs Still High Despite Recent Decline

On February 3, 2015, HUD released its Worst Case Housing Needs: 2015 Report to Congress summary report. This report is the 15th in a biannual series that HUD prepares for Congress, using the latest American Housing Survey, to discuss trends and causes of worst case housing needs. HUD plans to release the full report this spring.

Preliminary Analysis of the Administration’s Proposed FY 2016 Budget

On February 2, 2015 the Administration sent Congress its FY 2016 Budget, proposing funding for all federal programs, including HUD and the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) rural housing programs. NCSHA has posted on its website a preliminary analysis of the Budget’s housing proposals and will provide a more comprehensive analysis soon.

National Development Council Soliciting Award Applications

The National Development Council (NDC) is soliciting applications for its NDC Academy 2015 Awards . NDC Academy will take place in Washington, DC from May 12-14. NDC uses the awards to highlight successful projects from around the country and provide NDC Academy attendees an opportunity to examine and apply successful practices to their local communities.

HUD Releases Housing Trust Fund Interim Rule

Today’s Federal Register contains the new HUD Interim Rule implementing the Housing Trust Fund (HTF). The Interim Rule establishes regulations governing HTF administration and the allocation formula for grant distribution to states. It says HUD will consider public comment on the Interim Rule once funding is available and grantees gain experience administering the program.

Appropriators Unveil FY 2015 Omnibus Spending Package

Last night, House appropriators unveiled the FY 2015 omnibus, a package of 11 new FY 2015 spending bills, including bills funding HUD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the remainder of the fiscal year. We expect the House to vote on the legislation December 11, and Senate leaders indicate the Senate will vote on the House-passed bill soon thereafter.

Final Risk Retention Rule Contains Exemption for State HFA Program Loans

Yesterday, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) approved a final rule requiring asset-backed security issuers to retain part of the risk in any asset they securitize.