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HFA News
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.
CHFA’s Natarajan to Join the Federal Home Loan Bank Boston Advisory Council
The Federal Home Loan Bank Boston has appointed Nandini Natarajan, Chief Executive Officer-Executive Director of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, to its Advisory Council. The 14-member FHLBank Boston Advisory Council is comprises housing and community development leaders from throughout New England who meet quarterly with staff and representatives of the board of directors to advise on the administration of the Federal Home Bank Boston’s special programs for housing and community development and collaborate to develop the Affordable Housing Program Implementation Plan and Community Lending Plan.
RIHousing Launches New Program to Bridge the Digital Divide
RIHousing today announced the availability of funding to support innovative and long-term sustainable projects to increase internet access for low- and moderate-income households across the state. The new program provides financial resources to eligible organizations and municipalities in support of initiatives to bridge the digital divide. “High-speed internet is increasingly considered a basic necessity for employment, education, and day-to-day tasks, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to remote work and school,” said Carol Ventura, Executive Director of RIHousing.
CalHFA Launches Building Black Wealth Initiative to Address Homeownership Gap
In alignment with Fair Housing priorities set by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Administration and the California State Legislature, and in recognition of the fact that historical housing discrimination is still having negative effects on the ability of Black Californians to achieve the dream of homeownership, CalHFA is honoring Black History Month by launching its Building Black Wealth initiative. The purpose of the campaign -- which includes elements of education, outreach and connection to housing resources -- is to address the significant gap in homeownership between Black families and other races.
Governor Hogan Announces Drop in Homelessness Rate in Maryland
Governor Larry Hogan today announced that overall homelessness in Maryland dropped by 24% from January of 2015 through January 2020, based on data from the annual Point-in-Time Counts. The number of chronically homeless individuals dropped by 25% and veterans experiencing homelessness declined by 35%. The state's 16 designated Continuums of Care, supported by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, conduct the Point-in-Time Count which is a survey of homeless persons on a single night in January of each year.
CalHFA Board Member Appointments
The California Housing Finance Agency is pleased to announce that Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Frederick P. White to the Board of Directors and reappointed member AnaMarie Avila Farias for a second term. Frederick White joins the Board as a Housing Capital Advisor for the City of Los Angeles Office of City Homelessness Initiatives, where he has served since 2019. From 2017 to 2019, White was Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at State Street Bank.
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Releases Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today released its Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report. The department generated an economic impact of nearly $4 billion for the state, including $63 million in state and local taxes. Approximately 15,200 full-time equivalent jobs with $769 million in wages and salaries were created by Housing and Community Development's projects and activities.
