Newsroom
HUD Proposes to Reinstate 2013 Disparate Impact Rule
On June 25, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a proposed rule to recodify the Discriminatory Effects Standard regulations (2013 Rule) — commonly referred to as the disparate impact rule or burden-shifting framework — that has been in place since 2013. Under the Trump Administration, in September 2020 HUD issued the final rule, titled “HUD’s Implementation of the Fair Housing Act’s Disparate Impact Standard” (2020 Rule), intended to replace the 2013 Rule. However, due to a preliminary injunction issued in a court case challenging the 2020 Rule prior to its effective date, the 2020 Rule never took effect; thus, the 2013 Rule remains in effect.
MassHousing Closes Approximately $19 Million in Financing for the Second Phase of the Transformative Enterprise Center in Downtown Brockton
MassHousing has closed on approximately $19 million in affordable and workforce housing financing to Trinity Financial, Inc., which is developing the 111-unit Phase Two of the Enterprise Center in Downtown Brockton for residents with a wide range of incomes. The MassHousing financing will allow Trinity Financial to complete the redevelopment of the Enterprise Block and deliver a total of 224 new rental homes to Brockton’s downtown. The project’s first phase opened in 2015.
NCSHA Statement on the Nomination of Julia Gordon and Appointment of Sandra L. Thompson
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) commends President Biden for his nomination of Julia Gordon to serve as Assistant Secretary for Housing, Federal Housing...
Treasury’s Revised Emergency Rental Assistance Guidance Addresses NCSHA Recommendations on Bundling Assistance, Housing Stability Services
On June 24, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released updated Frequently Asked Questions for the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program addressing a number of issues, including recommendations NCSHA has made to more efficiently use ERA resources to help eligible low-income renters maintain stable housing and pay utilities. The guidance addresses both ERA 1, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and ERA 2, authorized by the American Rescue Plan, and explains differences between those two components of the program.
Sandra L. Thompson Announced as Acting Director of FHFA
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the White House appointed Sandra L. Thompson as the Acting Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) effective immediately.
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Issues First Sustainability Bonds in Agency’s History
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Kenneth C. Holt announced the issuance of the first ever ‘Sustainability Bonds’ to be sold by the department. The department’s bond-issuing entity, the Community Development Administration, issued approximately $13.6 million in Sustainability Bonds; proceeds of the bond sale will support energy efficient affordable housing in Frederick County.
Secretary Fudge Outlines HUD Actions to Address Reentry Housing Needs and Increase Public Safety
WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge today outlined actions that the Department is taking to improve public safety by addressing the housing...
Mayor Domenic Sarno, The Michaels Organization, and MassHousing, Celebrate the Start of the Extensive Renovation of the 201-Unit Bergen Circle Housing Community in Springfield
Mayor Domenic Sarno, The Michaels Organization, and MassHousing today celebrated the start of extensive renovations at the 201-unit Bergan Circle housing community in Springfield. Michaels, which has taken over ownership and management of the Bergen Circle Apartments, has embarked on approximately $17 million in property renovations to the eight-building community in the McKnight neighborhood.
PHFA Now Accepting Bids for Purchase of Mixed-Use Development Tax Credits
Tax credit bid deadline is July 16 HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency announced today that it is accepting bids for the purchase of $3 million in mixed-use development tax...
NCSHA Washington Report | June 18, 2021
One of the biggest shortcomings of the affordable rental housing subsidy system is the fact that so many landlords serving low-income renters operate outside of it. This is especially true of...
RIHousing Announces Recipients of Inaugural Michael S. Van Leesten Awards
RIHousing’s Board of Commissioners approved the Spring 2021 Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Awards at its June meeting. The awards program honors the life and work of Michael S. Van Leesten, a longtime advocate dedicated to improving the lives of Rhode Islanders through his business leadership, civil rights activism, and public service. The awards program supports students from diverse backgrounds who are pursuing academic fields or careers related to the housing industry.
New Harvard Housing Study Highlights Affordability Challenges Amidst Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery
On June 16, Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies released its 2021 State of the Nation’s Housing report. The report finds that, as the economy recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, some households are taking advantage of historically low interest rates to purchase homes with savings built during the health crisis, while others have been locked out of opportunities to own as prices increase to meet demand. Moreover, renters and homeowners are grappling with billions of dollars in back rent owed, unpaid mortgages, and the growing risk of eviction and foreclosure.
