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HFA News
Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance Awards Nearly $52 Million to Protect Tenants at Risk of Eviction
The Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program has provided more than $51.9 million in relief funding to communities across the state. To date, KERA funds have supported 23,834 residents of 9,220 tenant households and 3,786 landlords facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID pandemic. When Nick Baumgartner’s small business began to flounder in 2020, he could not afford to pay his rent and was barely keeping up with utility bills. “I never had to ask for any kind of financial assistance before,” said Baumgartner, whose Topeka business served local restaurants.
Gov. Pritzker Announces Initial Allocation of 2021 Emergency Rental Assistance Is 100 Percent Disbursed to Renters and Landlords
Governor JB Pritzker today announced that $505 million of the initial tranche of Illinois’ 2021 emergency rental assistance from the federal government has been distributed, as Illinois leads the nation in getting this funding out the door faster than any other state. More than 57,000 households have now received assistance through the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP). With Illinois’ initial 2021 allocation of rental relief funds fully paid out, IHDA will open a new round of assistance funded by a separate federal bill on Monday, November 8, 2021.
$11.8 Million Awarded for Affordable Housing in South Dakota
South Dakota Housing Development Authority’s (SDHDA) Board of Commissioners recently awarded more than $11 million to assist South Dakotans with newly constructed multifamily housing, single family housing, homebuyer assistance, homeowner rehabilitation, and homelessness prevention. The developments will receive $2.7 million in Housing Tax Credits, $4.4 million in HOME Investment Partnership Program funds, $2.8 million in Housing Opportunity Funds and $1.9 million in Housing Trust Funds.
Governor Hogan Announces $10 Million Homeownership Works Initiative
Governor Larry Hogan today announced the launch of the Homeownership Works (HOW) pilot program, a $10 million economic recovery initiative that will rehabilitate homes to create new homeownership opportunities while revitalizing Johnston Square in Baltimore City and Pine Street in Cambridge. “Homeownership Works is a game-changing approach that will serve as a national best practice for community renewal,” said Governor Hogan. “The program will revitalize neighborhoods to encourage new homeownership while helping existing homeowners and creating healthier housing markets.”
MSHDA Board Closer to Naming Permanent Executive Director, Approves Loan and Bond Commitments for Affordable Housing Projects
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority Board took a step toward naming a new executive director last week, approving a resolution that allows Board Chairwoman Susan Corbin to extend a conditional offer to a preferred candidate. After lengthy discussion of the five applicants who participated in public interviews in July and August, the board narrowed its scope to two candidates then said Amy Hovey, special projects coordinator for the C.S. Mott Foundation headquartered in Flint, emerged as the preferred candidate. The decision was not unanimous.
State of Maryland Designates New Sustainable Community in Baltimore County
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced Arbutus has become Maryland’s newest Sustainable Community. With this designation, Arbutus becomes the ninth designation in Baltimore County and 123rd in the state. By earning a Sustainable Community Designation, local governments are provided with a revitalization “toolbox” of state resources including programs, loans, grants and tax credits that can support brick and mortar community projects, small business development, job creation and tourism.
RIHousing Receives National Recognition for Workforce Housing Program
RIHousing, the state’s principal housing agency, has been selected as recipient of a national award for program innovation by the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA). The award for ‘Rental Housing: Encouraging New Construction’ honors RIHousing’s WHIC Program, which seeks to expand the range of housing options for Rhode Islanders. “To win such a prestigious national award is an incredible honor, especially as it comes from our peers who understand the challenges faced when working to create housing at a range of price points,” said Carol Ventura, Executive Director of RIHousing.
Homelessness in Michigan Down 19 Percent in 2020 According to New Report
Homelessness throughout Michigan dropped 19% in 2020, according to the latest Ending Homelessness in Michigan annual report. Led by the Campaign to End Homelessness, the report is created through a cooperative effort amongst numerous government departments and agencies each year to assess the state of homelessness across Michigan. The report outlines a combination of factors contributing to 2020’s reduction in homelessness, including the implementation of eviction moratoriums, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s (MSHDA) Eviction Diversion Program.
Maryland Celebrates the 100th Affordable Housing Community Financed by Rental Housing Works Program
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Kenneth C. Holt joined leadership and members of the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition at their annual meeting to celebrate the 100th affordable housing community financed through the State of Maryland’s Rental Housing Works program. Secretary Holt presented the coalition with a proclamation from Governor Larry Hogan marking the milestone.
Governor Wolf Announces Funding for Affordable Rental Housing
Governor Tom Wolf today announced awards totaling more than $43.6 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits, more than $7.4 million in PennHOMES funding, and more than $15.9 million in National Housing Trust Funds for the construction of 1,974 affordable multifamily rental units in Pennsylvania. The federal tax credits are administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and were approved by its board.
