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NCSHA Washington Report | September 17, 2021
During a week when historic housing legislation advanced in Congress, HUD announced it “will begin obligating” billions for homeless housing relief to states and cities, and FHFA continued...
Developer Celebrates Grand Reopening of Courtyard Apartments
Affordable Housing Developers Inc. (AHDI) celebrated the Grand Reopening of Courtyard Apartments, an independent living community for households age 62 or older, today. The property, which was originally constructed in 1981, required extensive structural repairs. “Affordable Housing Developers leveraged as many funding sources as possible to renovate Courtyard Apartments,” said Andrea Diede, AHDI executive director. “The property is the last subsidized housing available in Rugby, and public funding was needed to perform much-needed repairs and mitigate health and safety concerns.”
Murphy Administration Encourages Those Impacted by Tropical Storm Ida to Utilize Resources Available Through New Jersey Housing Resource Center
New Jerseyans displaced from their homes due to damage from Tropical Storm Ida are encouraged to use the online housing locator, the New Jersey Housing Resource Center (NJHRC), to help quickly find transitional or long-term housing. The NJHRC, located on the web at www.NJHRC.gov, is a free service to people in search of housing and to landlords who are looking to provide housing. A bilingual toll-free number 1-877-428-8844 is also available to both renters and landlords to access to this service.
MassHousing Closes on $23.5 Million in Financing for the Expansion of Golda Meir House in Newton, Serving Elderly Residents Across a Range of Incomes
MassHousing has closed on a total of $23.5 million in affordable housing financing to the non-profit 2Life Communities, for the expansion of the Golda Meir House in Newton. The financing will allow 2Life Communities to construct 68 new rental homes for seniors, including deeply affordable units for very low-income households. The project will expand the existing 199-unit Golda Meir House, adding 68 new apartment homes in a new seven-story building addition and a new five-story building addition that will both connect to the existing main building. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring of 2023.
NCSHA, Other Stakeholders Support House Efforts to Preserve Affordability of Housing Credit Properties
NCSHA and 28 other affordable housing stakeholder organizations this week wrote House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) with thanks for his leadership to protect the long term affordability of Housing Credit properties in reconciliation tax legislation the committee is finalizing today. In addition to its historic expansion of Housing Credit authority, the bill would close the Housing Credit “qualified contract” loophole and strengthen the ability of mission-driven Housing Credit project sponsors to maintain control of properties when challenged by real estate firms whose interests may undermine their rent-restricted affordability in the future.
MaineHousing and Maine Association of Public Housing Directors Announce Partnership to Encourage Landlords to Provide Affordable Housing for Maine
Today MaineHousing and the Maine Association of Public Housing Directors (MAPHD) announced a partnership designed to encourage private landlords to rent units to Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) recipients which will increase affordable housing availability in Maine. MaineHousing is making $380,000 of HCV Program Administrative Fees from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) available for the program through December 31, 2021.
HUD Awards $142 Million to Help End Youth Homelessness
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding $142 million to build systems to end youth homelessness in 33 local communities, including 11 rural communities....
Financial Services Committee Advances Reconciliation Bill with Historic Housing Program Investments
The House Financial Services Committee today voted to favorably report 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 create a new program, the First-Generation Downpayment Fund, through which states and nonprofits would provide first-time home buyers whose parents did not own homes with grants for down payment assistance and other expenses associated with purchasing a home.
MassHousing Closes on $5.3 Million in Financing for the Development of 44 Affordable and Workforce Apartment Homes in Downtown Fitchburg
MassHousing has closed on $5.3 million in financing to MSq Redevelopment LLC, an affiliate of Rees-Larkin Development, for the development of 44 affordable and workforce apartment homes as part of the Moran Square Redevelopment in Fitchburg. The funding advances the conversion of two historic buildings and the construction of a new five-story apartment building in downtown Fitchburg.
PHFA Issues RFP for PHARE Funding to Support Local Housing Initiatives
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today is issuing a Request for Proposals soliciting applications from organizations for projects to improve the availability and affordability of housing across the commonwealth. Funding for this RFP is being provided through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. The total PHARE funding available this year exceeds $45 million. PHARE receives its funding from the impact fee levied on natural gas drilling companies and a portion of the Realty Transfer Tax.
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.
