HFA News
RIHousing Launches Mortgage Payment Assistance Program to Help RIers
RIHousing today announced $2 million in available mortgage payment assistance funding through the federally-funded Hardest Hit Fund Rhode Island (HHFRI) program. The new program provides financial assistance to Rhode Island homeowners negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and struggling to make their mortgage payments. Borrowers must have experienced unemployment or underemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic to be eligible.
RIHousing Announces Inaugural Michael Van Leesten Awards Program
RIHousing today announced a new awards program to honor the life and work of Michael Van Leesten. Born and raised in Providence, Van Leesten was dedicated to improving the lives of Rhode Islanders through his business leadership, civil rights activism, and public service. The newly established Michael Van Leesten Memorial Awards program honors his lifelong commitment to housing and education and includes both a scholarship program and fellowship position.
PHFA Provides Update About CARES Assistance to Pa. Renters And Homeowners
After six weeks 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. As of Aug. 14, the CARES RRP has received 14,074 applications from renters who are using receipt of unemployment compensation as their method to qualify for assistance. PHFA is providing a county-by-county breakdown of these numbers. The processing of these applications is being managed by organizations in all 67 counties, and the data being provided today comes from these groups.
Governor Wolf Announces Funding to House the Erie Center for Arts and Technology in the Old Wayne School Building
Governor Tom Wolf today announced that Commonwealth Cornerstone Group has completed a New Markets Tax Credit transaction of $9.5 million with the Erie Center for Arts and Technology (ECAT) to transform the mostly vacant Wayne School building into a new resource for the community. The renovated building will become a community hub for job training, health care, social services and the arts through a mixed tenant base.
Governor Wolf Announces 2020 PHARE Funding to Support Affordable Housing Across Pennsylvania
Governor Tom Wolf today announced recipients of a new round of funding for housing programs made available through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund. The governor named 214 housing and community development initiatives in 67 counties that will share a portion of the total $45.79 million in PHARE funding. The PHARE fund, which is sometimes referred to as the state Housing Trust Fund, is managed by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
Governor Wolf Announces Funding for Affordable Rental Housing
Governor Tom Wolf today announced awards totaling $42 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits, $6.08 million in PennHOMES funding, and $12.6 million in National Housing Trust Funds for the construction of 36 affordable multifamily housing developments in Pennsylvania. The federal tax credits are administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and were approved by its board.
Deadline Nears for Rural Professional Housing Funding
Small, rural communities must register to be considered for Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s Teacher, Health Professional, and Public Safety Housing program before Friday, August 21 at 5 p.m. Registration is necessary for access to the $2 million in funding made available by AHFC. Following registration, AHFC will provide project developers with training and support to submit proposals that will be evaluated objectively for criteria that includes community need, number of units to be developed/renovated, other funding and project costs, including consideration of renewable or efficient energy sources.
WHEDA Welcomes Two New Board Members
State Rep. Kalan Haywood II, who represents Wisconsin’s 16th Assembly District in Milwaukee and Ranell Washington, partnership development adviser for American Family Insurance, have been appointed to serve as members of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Board of Directors.
WHEDA Updates Application Materials for Rural Affordable Workforce Housing Initiative
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority has updated online information about the rural affordable workforce housing pilot to reflect community inquiries. The pilot will work with stakeholders from at least three rural communities to develop partnerships and processes that ultimately will benefit communities statewide. Following two webinars to introduce the project and engage with stakeholders, WHEDA received a number of interesting and unanticipated questions, prompting helpful updates to the application materials and FAQs.
