HFA News
PHFA Recognizes the Exceptional Performance of PA’s Top Housing Counselors
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency recognized the work of the state’s private sector housing counselors today during a virtual awards ceremony. These counselors help PHFA achieve its housing mission by assisting Pennsylvanians with questions about rental housing, homebuying, homeownership, home foreclosure, personal finance and budgeting so they can make better informed housing decisions. Traditionally the awards events is held in Harrisburg. But this year’s hour-long event was conducted entirely online so as to prevent any possible transmission of the coronavirus.
Vincent Elected to National Housing Association Board of Directors
The National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) held its Board of Directors election on October 26 during the association’s 2020 Annual Conference & Showcase, selecting Ryan Vincent, Kansas Housing’s Executive Director, to serve on its national Board of Directors. Nominated from among and voted on by the executive directors of the member state housing finance agencies.
Iowa Finance Authority Awards More Than $7 Million to Local Housing Trust Funds to Advance Housing Priorities
The Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors today announced the award of a total of more than $7 million in grants to 27 Local Housing Trust Funds to support local housing initiatives. The grant awards are made available through the Local Housing Trust Fund program and are expected to assist more than 2,100 families. “The Local Housing Trust Fund program is a highly successful funding mechanism that serves all 99 counties, ensures local leaders can make critical housing projects a reality and leverages millions in other contributions,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham.
MassHousing Awards $391,164 for Affordable Sober Housing to Support Men, Women, Veterans and Women with Children in Boston, Framingham, Westfield, Springfield, Gardner, and Worcester
MassHousing has awarded a total of $391,164 in grant funding to help create or modernize 119 affordable sober housing units in Boston, Framingham, Westfield, Springfield, Gardner, and Worcester, while providing support services to women in recovery in Boston, Lynn, Leeds and Brockton. The grants come from the Center for Community Recovery Innovations, Inc. (CCRI), a nonprofit subsidiary corporation of MassHousing that helps nonprofits create or preserve affordable sober housing in Massachusetts for individuals in recovery.
Governor Noem Announces New Executive Director of South Dakota Housing Development Authority
Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that Lorraine Polak will be appointed Executive Director of the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA), effective January 8, 2021. Polak will replace Mark Lauseng, who is retiring. “Lorraine has a great understanding of SDHDA’s programs and all the opportunities that they present,” said Governor Noem. “She will be a dedicated leader and an invaluable partner as it relates to carrying out SDHDA’s mission for the people of South Dakota.”
Mayor Bowser Announces $10 Million in Housing Stabilization Grants
Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a new $10 million investment in Housing Stabilization Grants to provide support for the District’s portfolio of affordable and small housing providers. The grants will utilize federal CARES Act funding to cover rent arrears during the COVID-19 public health emergency in order to assist renters and to stabilize properties that may be heading toward distress. “This pandemic has forced an unprecedented and disproportionate financial burden on our low-income renters, through no fault of their own.
MassHousing Closes on $4.5 Million in Financing for New, Mixed-Income and Workforce Rental Housing to Complete the Northampton State Hospital Redevelopment
MassHousing has closed on $4.5 million in affordable housing financing to The Community Builders (TCB), for the 53-unit North Commons at Village Hill, a new, affordable and workforce rental housing community being built at the former Northampton State Hospital. All 53 rental homes at the North Commons at Village Hill will be deed-restricted and affordable to residents across a broad range of incomes. The North Commons at Village Hill project marks the final phase of TCB’s work redeveloping the former Northampton State Hospital.
Agency Releases Study of Housing In North Dakota
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) has released “The Current State of Housing in North Dakota,” a study of the affordability of the state’s single and multifamily housing, the impacts of COVID-19, and housing challenges faced by vulnerable populations in 2020. Over 60 percent of North Dakotans live in owner-occupied housing and, in recent years, have benefited from an above average increase in their median household value.
Applications Open for Highly Competitive Federal and State Housing Tax Credits
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority is now accepting applications for the upcoming round of federal and state tax credits, which finance affordable workforce housing. The application period for the highly competitive 2021-22 housing tax credit programs runs from Nov. 20, 2020 until Dec. 11, 2020. The application process covers federal 9% as well as state 4% and federal 4% tax credits estimated at a total of $31 million for the upcoming year.
