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HUD Issues HOME-ARP Guidance for Assisting Households Experiencing or at Risk of Homelessness
Today, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published Notice CPD-21-10 establishing the requirements for the $5 billion provided under the American Rescue Plan Act through the HOME program (HOME-ARP) intended for use by HOME participating jurisdictions (PJs) to provide housing and services primarily for households experiencing or at risk of homelessness. HOME-ARP may be used to develop affordable housing, for tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA), to provide supportive services, and for the acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units. The notice describes the requirements applicable to PJs’ use of HOME-ARP funds, including Consolidated Plan requirements and HOME program regulations. HUD also published an appendix describing the waivers and alternative requirements imposed on PJs for the use of HOME-ARP. The notice is effective immediately.
House Tax Writers to Consider Historic Legislation to Expand Housing Credit, Lower Bond-Financing Threshold, Enact Neighborhood Homes Credit
The House Ways and Means Committee over the weekend released the text of the infrastructure financing and community development sections of the reconciliation legislation it will mark up tomorrow and Wednesday, including major investments in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit), lowering the bond-financing threshold for 4 percent Housing Credit developments, and establishing a Neighborhood Homes Investment Credit program — all major NCSHA priorities. The bill as currently drafted would provide the largest increase in Housing Credit resources since the program’s enactment in 1986. NCSHA urges all affordable housing stakeholders to reach out to their delegation members on the Ways and Means Committee to express support for the bill.
Public Comment Period for Federal Housing Assistance Fund (CTHAF) Through September 17
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is seeking public comment on the draft Connecticut Homeowner Assistance Fund (CTHAF) Plan, prior to submitting the plan to the United States Treasury Department. The draft plan can be reviewed at www.chfa.org/haf/. Public comments can be emailed to: PublicComment@chfa.org until 5:00 p.m. on September 17, 2021. A public hearing will be held telephonically on September 17 at 10 a.m. To participate in the public hearing, call (888) 330-1716.
MassHousing Commits $3.8 Million in Financing for New Affordable and Workforce Housing on Martha’s Vineyard
MassHousing has committed $3.8 million in affordable and workforce housing financing to the non-profit Island Housing Trust (IHT) for the development of Kuehn’s Way in West Tisbury, a 20-unit rental community for lower- and moderate-income households on Martha’s Vineyard. Kuehn’s Way will be the largest new affordable rental housing development on Martha’s Vineyard in 15 years. The project is being built with modular units that are being shipped to the island and will be constructed into 10 duplex homes.
NCSHA Washington Report | September 10, 2021
With millions of renters billions behind on rent and utilities, and many at grave risk of losing their homes, it’s understandable the primary federal policy to help them catch up — the...
Financial Services Committee Releases Draft Reconciliation Bill; Proposes Historic Investments in Affordable Housing Programs
The House Financial Services Committee earlier today released the text of legislation that would appropriate more than $300 billion in funding for affordable housing programs, including historic investments in HOME and the Housing Trust Fund. The bill also would establish a new federal program through which states and nonprofits would provide first-generation home buyers with grants for down payment assistance and other expenses associated with purchasing a home. The committee intends to consider the legislation during a mark-up on Monday.
Waters Introduces Bill to Reform Emergency Rental Assistance Program; Salazar to Testify
On September 7, House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) introduced the Expediting Assistance to Renters and Landlords Act of 2021 (H.R. 5196), which would make important modifications to the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, including numerous changes NCSHA strongly supports. The bill’s goal is to remove barriers and expedite the processing of applications so ERA grantees can improve the delivery of this emergency assistance.
Project Restore Applications Open to Maryland’s New or Expanding Businesses
Applicants can apply beginning on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 until Friday, October 8, 2021at 5:00 PM. Please note: the application portal may closer sooner if grant requests exceed the funding available. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid an early application deadline. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is administering $25 million to provide financial support to Maryland’s new or expanding businesses to help incentivize commercial investment in vacant retail and commercial properties.
$35 Million in New Markets Tax Credits Awarded to Support Community Development
– The Colorado Growth and Revitalization Fund (CGR Fund), administered by Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), announced today it has been awarded $35 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC). The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded $5 billion in NMTC to 100 entities throughout the nation. NMTC are designed to generate private-sector investment in underserved communities by supporting local businesses or nonprofits that directly benefit current residents, by either hiring from within the community, and/or providing community services.
NCSHA Urges Chairwoman Waters to Consider Modifications to Emergency Rental Assistance Law in Forthcoming Bill
NCSHA, in partnership with other national organizations representing Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) grantees at the state, county, city, and tribal levels, today sent House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) a letter encouraging her to incorporate changes to the ERA 1 and ERA 2 authorizing statutes in legislation the chairwoman is planning to introduce next week. The goal of her forthcoming legislation is to make changes to the ERA program to remove statutory barriers and accelerate the use of resources, allowing more eligible households to receive funding faster.
Illinois Rental Payment Program Distributes Over $252 Million, 50% of State’s Relief Allocation Paid to Renters and Landlords Impacted By COVID-19
Governor JB Pritzker, along with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), announced that more than $252 million in rental assistance has been paid on behalf of almost 29,500 renter households impacted by COVID-19 through the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP). Launched in May 2021, ILRPP provides up to $25,000 in financial assistance — paid directly to the landlord — to cover missed rent payments beginning June 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
RentReliefRI Provides On-the-Ground Support for Rhode Islanders Facing Eviction
The recent United States Supreme Court decision to allow eviction proceedings to resume has left many Rhode Island renters at risk. Fortunately, renters have a lifeline available to them via RentReliefRI, a federally-funded program that provides up to 18 months of rental and utility assistance for tenants struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For renters facing eviction, a network of agencies and partners are working together to provide on-the-ground support and assistance to prevent eviction and help Rhode Islanders maintain their housing stability.
