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President-Elect Releases COVID-19 Response Plan with Additional Housing Assistance, Foreclosure Prevention
President-elect Joe Biden announced his American Rescue Plan, an ambitious $1.9 trillion COVID-19 recovery platform including a national vaccination program, assistance to households, and other supports for communities struggling due to the pandemic. The announcement today includes proposals that are part of the first step in what will be a two-step plan. The second step will be an economic recovery plan focused on job creation, combating the climate crisis, and building “back better than before.”
Governor Hogan Announces Maryland To Receive $402 Million Through Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland is eligible for an estimated $402,439,000 in federal rental assistance made available through the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The state officially filed its application to the U.S. Treasury Department on January 8, ahead of the January 12 deadline. The majority of the funding will be administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, with local jurisdictions managing the remainder. "COVID-19 has caused incredible hardships for the people of our state," said Governor Hogan.
Hogan Administration Announces Grant Awards for Opportunity Zone Investment
Governor Larry Hogan today announced $500,000 in grant awards to 13 small businesses to support investment in Maryland's designated Opportunity Zones. The microgrants, offered through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Neighborhood BusinessWorks Program, range from $10,000 to $50,000 for start-up and expanding businesses located within an Opportunity Zone.
Diane House Joins WHEDA Board
Diane House, economic development director for the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC), has been appointed to serve as a member of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Board of Directors. House’s experience includes more than 25 years working with the tribes in Wisconsin in various policy and strategic initiatives. She is currently serving her second elected term as an Appellate Court judge for the Oneida Judiciary and as a pro tempore judge for Wisconsin Tribal Courts.
Demand for State and Federal Housing Tax Credits Continues to Outpace Allocations
Statewide demand for housing tax credits among developers seeking to build more affordable rental housing for workers, families and seniors continues to outpace the federal and state resources available in Wisconsin. For the 2021 tax credit award cycle, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) has received applications for 34 projects seeking $29.6 million in federal 9% housing tax credits to build 1,671 units available for low- to moderate-income renters.
NCSHA Washington Report | January 8, 2021
A resolution for the new year all of us in affordable housing can make is to put digital inclusion in our lexicon — and our business plans. A HUD rule on the books since 2016 already...
WHEDA Exceeds Targets for Purchases From Diverse, Disabled Veteran and Women-Owned Businesses
From computer technology to financial services, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority exceeded its targets for purchases from certified minority-, disabled veteran- and women-owned businesses during fiscal 2020. In all, these targeted purchases accounted for some $859,700 or 12.4% of WHEDA’s total $6.9 million in discretionary spending, up from $509,963 or 8.58% during fiscal 2019.
Statewide Homeless Count to be Conducted In January
South Dakota Housing for the Homeless Consortium (SDHHC), an affiliate of South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA), will conduct its annual statewide Point-In-Time (PIT) homeless count. The Point-In-Time homeless count is a critical source of annual data, providing characteristics of people who are experiencing homelessness. Data from the annual PIT homeless count is used to measure homelessness on local, state, and national levels. PIT count data helps policy makers and communities measure progress, identify strengths and gaps in services, increases public awareness of homelessness, and enhances system planning and responses.
Treasury Launches Rental Assistance Web Portal; Grantees Must Submit Signed Terms Forms by January 12
On January 6, the U.S. Department of the Treasury published a new web portal with information about the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program enacted in late December under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. As NCSHA has previously reported, this critical program will allow states, localities, and Indian tribes to provide rental assistance to households earning no more than 80 percent of area median income who have faced hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic fallout. This Treasury web portal is a critical step towards implementation of the program, which must be expedited under the time constraints set by the statute.
Kansas Housing Provides $1.8 Million in Rent, Utility Assistance
Kansans struggling to cover rent and utility bills may qualify for assistance, thanks to funds awarded by Kansas Housing. The funding, made possible through the state’s Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program and funded through the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), helps income-eligible households afford rental subsidies, utility deposits, and security deposits. Assistance is administered by a network of 11 nonprofit grantees who serve communities across the state.
MassHousing, Baker-Polito Administration Launch CommonWealth Builder, a Landmark Initiative to Expand Homeownership and Wealth-Building Opportunities in Communities of Color Across Massachusetts
MassHousing, together with the Baker-Polito Administration, today announced the launch of the $60 million CommonWealth Builder Program, a landmark initiative to address the racial homeownership gap in Massachusetts by creating new homeownership and wealth-building opportunities in communities of color. It is the largest state-level program of its kind in the nation. “We are committed to combatting systemic inequities and promoting homeownership and building wealth in communities of color is a key part of that effort,” said Governor Charlie Baker.
PHFA Provides Final Data for 2020 Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program
After five months of administering CARES financial assistance for homeowners, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is providing final summary data about the performance of the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program, which started accepting applications on July 6. The initial program deadline was Sept. 30, but that deadline was extended by an executive order from Governor Tom Wolf on Oct. 5. As a result, PMAP accepted applications through Nov. 4. PMAP was fully administered by PHFA. A table providing county-by-county data for PMAP is available on the PHFA website.
