HFA News
Supportive Housing Webinar Series Kicks Off Tuesday 2-23
The free, 90-minute interactive sessions are open to all through a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and Corporation for Supportive Housing to expand the supply of affordable, supportive housing in Wisconsin. Participants may choose a single event or attend all four sessions. In Wisconsin, residents with mental health needs, physical challenges and substance use recovery are among those facing great difficulties in finding affordable housing. The shortage of affordable, supportive housing affects rural and urban communities alike.
SC Housing Launches $25 Million Rental, Mortgage Assistance Program for COVID-19 Relief
SC Housing this week launched its $25 million SC Stay rental and mortgage assistance program to assist South Carolina residents whose finances have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To begin the initial application for rental and mortgage assistance through the SC Stay program, visit www.SCStay.org or call 833.985.2929. Following an initial screening, one of SC Housing’s contract processing agencies will reach out to applicants to complete the application process. For more information about this program to help renters and homeowners, visit SCHousing.com.
DCHFA Relaunches the HomeSaver Foreclosure Prevention Program
In an effort to further support District residents during the coronavirus pandemic, the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) is reopening the HomeSaver foreclosure prevention program. Through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) the Agency has approximately $4 million available to relaunch the HomeSaver program. The funds will be used to aid eligible D.C. homeowners that have fallen behind on their mortgage payments due to unemployment, underemployment or have endured a financial hardship of which a lump sum payment will make the homeowner’s expense current.
Federal Housing Tax Credit Changes, WHEDA Adaptations Expected to Create More Affordable Housing for Wisconsin
Improvements to the federal 4% housing tax credit program will allow WHEDA to recalculate and extend the value of state housing tax credits to fund some 500 additional affordable rental units when the awards are announced this spring. “Wisconsin communities face a critical shortage of affordable rental housing and every additional apartment helps,” said WHEDA CEO Joaquín Altoro. “WHEDA’s skilled staff identified the opportunity to use changes in the federal program to increase the impact of state housing tax credits and make more housing projects possible.”
15,000 Pre-Register for Alaska Housing Relief
The application period opens for renters to apply for rent and/or utility relief through Alaska Housing Relief, a federally funded COVID-19 response program, administered by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation at 8 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb., 16, 2021. Alaska Housing Relief provides up to 12 months of financial assistance to qualifying renters who have directly or indirectly lost income or experienced increased expenses due to the pandemic and for those who live in certain unhealthy housing conditions, including overcrowding or at risk of domestic violence or sexual assault.
LHC, LA BOSCOC Provide Assistance to Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
The Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) has partnered with Louisiana's regional Continuums of Care (CoCs) and local service providers to protect individuals and families experiencing homelessness throughout the current cold weather event. Each region of Louisiana has a network of agencies that provide services, including day shelters, overnight shelters, warm clothes, and hot meals. In addition to regular services, LHC is providing resources to many agencies that greatly expand shelter capacity for the duration of the cold weather event.
Training, Research Partnership to Boost Supportive Housing Statewide
Wisconsin’s most vulnerable residents will be the focus of a new partnership by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and Corporation for Supportive Housing that includes training opportunities, research and prioritized investment. As part of the initiative, the first of its kind in Wisconsin, WHEDA and CSH will kick off a four-part webinar series starting Feb. 23 at 9:30 a.m. The free 90-minute interactive sessions are open to all; participants may choose a single event or all four sessions.
Florida Housing to Conduct Statewide Housing Needs Assessment for Homeless and Special Needs Households
Florida Housing is conducting a state-level assessment to identify permanent rental and supportive housing needs of special needs and homeless individuals and families. Additionally, this study will include the financial modeling required to fully address the rental housing stock needs of each sub-population being assessed. It will focus on the affordable rental housing needs of persons with disabling conditions, including persons with physical impairments, mental illness or developmental disabilities; survivors of domestic violence; youth aging out of foster care; as well as homeless individuals and families.
CHFA First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Interest Rate at Record Low 2.50%
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority’s (CHFA) interest rate on first-time homebuyer mortgages dropped to 2.50. “Interest rates have been decreasing over the last several years, and right now CHFA is offering 2.50%, the lowest rate in CHFA’s over 50-year history. The rate has not been this low since 2012,” said Nandini Natarajan, CHFA’s Chief Executive Officer – Executive Director. “CHFA’s mission is to help low- and moderate-income borrowers buy their first homes, and lower rates also contribute to overall affordability, in some cases allowing people to purchase a slightly larger home,” she added.
