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Althea Arnold

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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 Masterā€™s degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University, with a concentration in nonprofit leadership, and a Bachelor of Artā€™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 Posts Notice for Transferring HAP Contract Budget Authority

On October 9, HUD issued a notice outlining policies and procedures for transferring remaining budget authority of a project-based Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract under Section 8 (bb)(1) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937.

HUD Releases Final FY 2015 FMRs, Announces Intention to Modify FMR Methodology for FY 2016

On October 3, HUD published final FY 2015 Fair Market Rents (FMRs). FMRs are used to determine payment standards for a number of housing assistance programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher and the project-based section 8 programs. The FY15 FMRs are effective as of October 1, 2014.

Rural Housing Service Seeks Applicants for Preservation Demonstration Program

On September 23, the Rural Housing Service published a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announcing the availability of $20 million for a demonstration program intended to preserve and revitalize existing Section 515, Section 514, and Section 516 rental housing properties.

House Passes Continuing Resolution, Funds Federal Programs Into December

On September 17, the House passed by a vote of 319 to 108 a continuing resolution (CR), H.J. Res. 124, that continues funding for all federally funded programs through December 11, 2014 at slightly below FY 2014 funding levels, on an annualized basis. To offset new funding provided through a few targeted provisions in the CR while not exceeding the overall FY 2014 spending level, the CR includes an across-the-board funding reduction of almost 0.06 percent, compared to FY 2014 levels. The Senate is expected also to approve the CR this week.

Congress Begins August Recess with FY 2015 Appropriations Work Unfinished

Congress has departed Capitol Hill for a five-week recess period without passing any FY 2015 appropriations bills. It is expected that Congress will approve in September a short-term continuing resolution (CR) funding all federally funded agencies until after the mid-term elections and possibly into December. The new fiscal year begins on October 1.

Coalition Report Proposes Federal Strategies to Preserve Access to Affordable Rural Rental Housing

The National Rural Housing Coalition recently published a report, entitled Rural Americaā€™s Rental Housing, which describes how lower incomes, higher poverty rates, and other factors continue to present obstacles to renters trying to find affordable housing in rural areas.

HUD Implements Statutory Changes to Section 8 Inspections, Extremely Low-Income Definition, and Utility Allowances

In the June 25 Federal Register, HUD published a notice of statutory changes implementing provisions included in the FY 2014 omnibus appropriations bill enacted in January 2014.

Secretary Donovan Testifies on HUDā€™s FY 2015 Budget in House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing

On April 10, the House Transportation-HUD (T-HUD) Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing to examine HUDā€™s FY 2015 budget request. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan was the sole witness.

HUD Secretary Donovan Testifies on HUD Rental Assistance Programs

On April 2, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan testified at a House Transportation-HUD Subcommittee oversight hearing on HUDā€™s Office of Public and Indian Housing programs. The hearing included discussion about the project-based Section 8, Housing Choice Voucher, Rental Assistance Demonstration, and housing counseling programs.