NCSHA Blogs
HUD Publishes Small Area Fair Market Rent Final Rule
On November 16, HUD published in the Federal Register a final rule regarding the use of small area fair market rents (SAFMR) in certain metropolitan areas, and replacing HUD’s existing 50th percentile fair market rent (FMR) policy for the Housing Choice Voucher (voucher) program.
FHFA Increases Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Conforming Loan Limits for 2017
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced November 23 that the maximum conforming loan limits for mortgages obtained by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will increase in 2017. This is the first time FHFA has increased the conforming loan limit since 2006.
HUD Announces VAWA Final Rule
On November 16, HUD published in the Federal Register the final rule implementing housing provisions under the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA) as it applies to HUD programs. The rule codifies VAWA core protections across covered HUD programs to ensure individuals are not denied assistance, evicted, or have their assistance terminated because of their status as victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, or for being affiliated with a victim.
FHA Report Says Health of Mortgage Fund Improving
Earlier today, HUD released its 2016 Annual Report to Congress on the financial status of the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (MMIF). The report finds that the value of the MMIF, which funds FHA's single-family homeownership and reverse mortgage loans, grew by $3.8 billion to $27.6 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2016, its fourth consecutive annual increase.
HUD Releases New Fair Housing Guidance for RAD Program
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released November 10 PIH Notice 2016-17 (HA) to provide Public Housing Agencies (PHA), Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program Project Owners, and RAD development partners with guidance on fair housing and civil rights regulations applicable to RAD First Component Public Housing conversions.
HUD Issues HOTMA Implementation Guidance
On October 24, HUD published in the Federal Register the initial implementation guidance for the Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act (HOTMA). HUD’s guidance clarifies which statutory provisions went into effect immediately upon the President signing HOTMA into law and which provisions will be phased in as HUD promulgates further regulations.
FHFA Releases 2016 Housing Report
Late last week, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released its Annual Housing Report for 2016. The report examines Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s affordable housing activities for 2015.
Treasury Issue Brief: Housing Finance Reform Must Address Affordable Housing Access
Housing finance system reforms must preserve and expand support for affordable housing options, the U.S. Treasury Department argues in an issue brief released last week. The brief was written by Antonio Weiss, Counselor to the Secretary of Treasury, and Karen Dynan, the Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy.
NCSHA Recommends Further Improvements to State Fair Housing Assessment Tool
Today, NCSHA submitted comments to HUD on the second iteration of the proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Assessment Tool for States and Insular Areas, which HUD released for a 30-day comment period in late September. HUD initially published the proposed state assessment tool in March for a 60-day comment period, then revised the tool based on the comments it received, including those NCSHA provided in May.
