Newsroom
New NLIHC Report Highlights Persistent Housing Affordability Challenges for Low-Wage Renters
On July 14, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) released "Out of Reach 2021: The High Cost of Housing," its annual report documenting the gap between renters' wages and the cost of rental housing across the nation. NLIHC's 2021 report concludes that the profound economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 crisis had a significant impact on the lowest-wage households, exacerbating the disconnect between wage growth and rental cost increases.
An Open Letter to America’s Landlords
On behalf of state agencies administering federal emergency rental assistance funds, thank you for your extraordinary efforts to keep millions of low-income Americans safely housed during the...
WHEDA Opens Applications for Innovation Housing Tax Credits
Developers with innovative affordable housing projects designed to spark community revitalization and promote resident well-being are urged to apply for a new round of federal 9% housing tax credits allocated by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. The application period for this special round of housing tax credits is now open and will run until Sept. 3, 2021.
Governor Murphy’s FY2022 Budget Allocates $73 Million to NJHMFA to Advance Affordable Rental Housing and Homeownership Opportunities
Governor Phil Murphy‘s FY2022 budget and additional legislation allocates $73 million to New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) to advance affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with specialized housing needs. New Jersey has one of the most complex housing environments in the nation. Anyone watching the news, reading an article, or trying to buy or rent a home can see how challenging the state’s housing market has become since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virginia Housing Announces $40 Million in Grant Funding for PDCs
A new source of funding will be helping Virginia’s Planning District Commissions provide more affordable housing in their regions. Virginia Housing today announced $40 million in grants to Virginia’s PDCs for the creation of new housing initiatives. “We are proud to provide these grants to Virginia’s 21 PDCs,” said Virginia Housing CEO Susan Dewey. “We have a close working relationship with these organizations, and this grant program will build upon that partnership by promoting regional approaches to housing development, enhancing collaboration between local housing service providers, and creating new affordable homes.”
CalHFA Helps More Than 7,600 Californians Become Homeowners
The California Housing Finance Agency continued its work with first-time homebuyers, helping more than 7,600 families from San Diego to Redding—and everywhere in between—purchase a home with a mortgage they could afford in the fiscal year ending June 30. CalHFA’s network of approved lenders worked with thousands of low- and moderate-income families to find homes that made sense for their budgets.
House Appropriations Subcommittee Approves FY 2022 Bill Increasing HUD Program Funding Levels
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies last night passed its fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill, which would provide substantial increases for regular annual appropriations for HUD programs in FY 2022. Key program funding levels are listed below.
Celebrating a Homeownership Milestone
The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) has served Nebraska homebuyers since the 1980’s. During June of 2021, also known as "National Homeownership Month", NIFA reached the threshold of providing low interest rate home loans to over 95,000 Nebraskans! This milestone is a major accomplishment for NIFA as part of its mission to grow Nebraska communities through affordable housing. “We are proud to have made such an important difference in the lives of people across the state of Nebraska.
RIHousing Awards Funding from Workforce Housing Innovation Challenge
RIHousing has approved awards for the creation of workforce housing under the agency’s Workforce Housing Innovation Challenge (WHIC) program at its June Board meeting. The awards will help build or preserve 301 rental units, of which 74 will be workforce-assisted units, at developments in Providence and West Warwick. “Creating more housing options at a range of price points that Rhode Island families can afford is essential to economic growth and development throughout the state,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I’m pleased these awards will help build and preserve 300 units of much needed housing in our state.”
Dean Christon to Retire from New Hampshire Housing December 31
Dean Christon, Executive Director and CEO of New Hampshire Housing, announced today that he will retire December 31st. Christon, who has led the organization since 2007, has held leadership roles there for more than 33 years. Christon has been influential in advocating for affordable housing for New Hampshire families, as well as working with state officials on economic and community development strategies. “His impact on the state of New Hampshire is seen in the countless families that were able to buy homes, find safe and stable apartments, and have the supportive housing that is so important to their health and well-being.
WHEDA Foundation Opens 2021 Housing Grant Cycle
Organizations throughout Wisconsin that provide emergency shelter, transitional residences and extremely low-income housing are encouraged to apply for grants from the WHEDA Foundation. Administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, the WHEDA Foundation grants improve housing for community members with complex challenges such as developmental disabilities, domestic abuse, incomes at or below 30 percent of the area median income, youth homelessness and chronic mental illness.
Applications Outpace Availability of National Housing Trust Funds
Affordable housing developers throughout Wisconsin have submitted applications for National Housing Trust Funds totaling $5.5 million to fund a total of 533 low-income and affordable workforce housing units. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, which administers the federal program as well as federal and state housing tax credit programs, anticipates a total of $1.3 million will be available. Seven developers in Ashland, Brown, Dane, Fond du Lac and Milwaukee counties submitted the proposals.
