HFA News
LHC Announces Improvements to Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Today, the Louisiana Housing Corporation announced improvements to the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program (LERAP) to improve access for renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19. LHC has reduced the application length and divided it into components for renters and landlords. E-signatures are now allowed for faster receipt of documentation required by the federal government. In addition to hosting in-person outreach events in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, LHC is scheduling events around the state to serve those with limited access to the internet, or who otherwise may need help in submitting their application.
New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency Expands Its Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program to Assist More New Jersey Families Struggling to Pay Rent Due to COVID-19
Today, NJHMFA announced the expansion and reopening of its SLEG Program to assist vulnerable renters across the state by covering their missed rent from April through July 2020. The program will reopen today, Monday, September 28th, at noon and will run until Tuesday, October 13th at 4:00 p.m. NJHMFA, whose mission is to increase the availability of and accessibility to safe, decent, and affordable housing to families in New Jersey, developed the SLEG Program to reimburse small landlords for missed or reduced rent payments between April 2020 and July 2020 due to COVID-19.
Governor Larry Hogan Announces Two Communities Receive Main Street Maryland Designations
Governor Larry Hogan today announced that two new communities have received Main Street Maryland designations: Reisterstown in Baltimore County and the Town of Williamsport in Washington County. Following the designation of Aberdeen in Harford County earlier this year, Main Street Maryland has now designated 33 communities statewide, supporting locally-owned businesses, events, and activities that provide residents and visitors with an authentic Maryland experience.
RIHousing Issues Inaugural Social Bonds to Support Affordable Housing
RIHousing announced the issuance of $142 million of new bonds, the first ‘Social Bonds’ to be offered by the agency. Social Bonds are bonds that raise funds for new and existing projects that address or mitigate a specific social issue and/or seek to achieve positive social outcomes. The sale of the bonds will finance affordable home loans and down payment assistance to low-to-moderate income first-time homebuyers in Rhode Island.
$2.8 Million Awarded to Strong Neighborhoods Projects Statewide
Six projects statewide will receive $2.8 million from Delaware’s Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund to address vacant, abandoned or foreclosed properties, Governor John Carney and Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi announced today. The Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund is used to support community development, address crime and transform neighborhoods that are experiencing blight or other forms of stress. Through the program, abandoned properties are removed, renovated or replaced and sold to low-income residents who then become homeowners.
Hogan Administration Announces Local Government Infrastructure Financing Program Awards
Governor Larry Hogan today announced more than $24.2 million in awards from the Local Government Infrastructure Program to seven local governments. Administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, program awards will support three capital projects and enable four localities to refinance existing debt for significant long term savings. Funds were generated by a pooled bond issuance that featured the lowest interest rates in the program's history.
WHEDA’s Altoro Gains National Appointment on Advisory Board of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Joaquín Altoro, CEO of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, has been appointed to serve on the Consumer Advisory Board of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Consumer Advisory Board is mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to advise and consult with the bureau on a variety of consumer financial issues. Altoro said the appointment by Bureau Director Kathleen L. Kraninger provides a unique opportunity to elevate the financial concerns of underserved communities at the national level.
Florida Housing Finance Corporation Expands Program Offering Assistance to Homeless Families with Schoolchildren
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) Board of Directors unanimously approved the expansion the Housing Stability for Homeless Schoolchildren Initiative to Alachua, Bay, and Charlotte counties during the September board meeting. This program assists homeless families in regaining housing stability and economic self-sufficiency, while also ensuring their school aged children remain on track with their education.
PHFA Provides Latest Data About CARES Relief to PA Renters and Homeowners
After two months of administering CARES financial assistance for renters and homeowners, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is providing an update on the progress of both programs, which have been accepting applications since July 6. For the CARES Rent Relief Program (RRP), all 67 participating county organizations are asked to provide monthly data summaries, and the data from August are now available. The data for July has also been updated. A summary of key points taken from that data provides these insights.
