HFA News
MaineHousing and Maine Association of Public Housing Directors Announce Partnership to Encourage Landlords to Provide Affordable Housing for Maine
Today MaineHousing and the Maine Association of Public Housing Directors (MAPHD) announced a partnership designed to encourage private landlords to rent units to Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) recipients which will increase affordable housing availability in Maine. MaineHousing is making $380,000 of HCV Program Administrative Fees from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) available for the program through December 31, 2021.
MassHousing Closes on $5.3 Million in Financing for the Development of 44 Affordable and Workforce Apartment Homes in Downtown Fitchburg
MassHousing has closed on $5.3 million in financing to MSq Redevelopment LLC, an affiliate of Rees-Larkin Development, for the development of 44 affordable and workforce apartment homes as part of the Moran Square Redevelopment in Fitchburg. The funding advances the conversion of two historic buildings and the construction of a new five-story apartment building in downtown Fitchburg.
PHFA Issues RFP for PHARE Funding to Support Local Housing Initiatives
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today is issuing a Request for Proposals soliciting applications from organizations for projects to improve the availability and affordability of housing across the commonwealth. Funding for this RFP is being provided through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. The total PHARE funding available this year exceeds $45 million. PHARE receives its funding from the impact fee levied on natural gas drilling companies and a portion of the Realty Transfer Tax.
Public Comment Period for Federal Housing Assistance Fund (CTHAF) Through September 17
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is seeking public comment on the draft Connecticut Homeowner Assistance Fund (CTHAF) Plan, prior to submitting the plan to the United States Treasury Department. The draft plan can be reviewed at www.chfa.org/haf/. Public comments can be emailed to: PublicComment@chfa.org until 5:00 p.m. on September 17, 2021. A public hearing will be held telephonically on September 17 at 10 a.m. To participate in the public hearing, call (888) 330-1716.
MassHousing Commits $3.8 Million in Financing for New Affordable and Workforce Housing on Martha’s Vineyard
MassHousing has committed $3.8 million in affordable and workforce housing financing to the non-profit Island Housing Trust (IHT) for the development of Kuehn’s Way in West Tisbury, a 20-unit rental community for lower- and moderate-income households on Martha’s Vineyard. Kuehn’s Way will be the largest new affordable rental housing development on Martha’s Vineyard in 15 years. The project is being built with modular units that are being shipped to the island and will be constructed into 10 duplex homes.
Project Restore Applications Open to Maryland’s New or Expanding Businesses
Applicants can apply beginning on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 until Friday, October 8, 2021at 5:00 PM. Please note: the application portal may closer sooner if grant requests exceed the funding available. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid an early application deadline. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is administering $25 million to provide financial support to Maryland’s new or expanding businesses to help incentivize commercial investment in vacant retail and commercial properties.
$35 Million in New Markets Tax Credits Awarded to Support Community Development
– The Colorado Growth and Revitalization Fund (CGR Fund), administered by Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), announced today it has been awarded $35 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC). The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded $5 billion in NMTC to 100 entities throughout the nation. NMTC are designed to generate private-sector investment in underserved communities by supporting local businesses or nonprofits that directly benefit current residents, by either hiring from within the community, and/or providing community services.
Illinois Rental Payment Program Distributes Over $252 Million, 50% of State’s Relief Allocation Paid to Renters and Landlords Impacted By COVID-19
Governor JB Pritzker, along with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), announced that more than $252 million in rental assistance has been paid on behalf of almost 29,500 renter households impacted by COVID-19 through the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP). Launched in May 2021, ILRPP provides up to $25,000 in financial assistance — paid directly to the landlord — to cover missed rent payments beginning June 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
RentReliefRI Provides On-the-Ground Support for Rhode Islanders Facing Eviction
The recent United States Supreme Court decision to allow eviction proceedings to resume has left many Rhode Island renters at risk. Fortunately, renters have a lifeline available to them via RentReliefRI, a federally-funded program that provides up to 18 months of rental and utility assistance for tenants struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For renters facing eviction, a network of agencies and partners are working together to provide on-the-ground support and assistance to prevent eviction and help Rhode Islanders maintain their housing stability.
