Newsroom
Florida Housing Finance Corporation Launches Statewide Art Contest: What Does Home Mean to You?
Florida Housing announced the launch of a statewide art contest, inviting kids and teens to submit their visions on the theme: What does home mean to you? The contest aims to increase awareness on the importance of having a home by encouraging kids across the state to use their imaginations to illustrate the meaning of what their home truly means. A Florida Housing committee will review all designs and select the top 40 to be prominently displayed in the Florida Housing Finance Corporation building in Tallahassee in honor of National Homeownership Month in June.
Agency Presents Champions of Affordable Housing Awards
In March, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) presented Champion of Affordable Housing Awards to the outstanding loan officers, real estate agents and financial institutions who partnered with the agency to deliver its homeownership programs in 2020. “North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s Champion Awards recognize and celebrate the work of the individuals and businesses who make exceptional affordable housing contributions,” said Dave Flohr, the agency’s executive director.
White House Releases $2 Trillion Infrastructure and Jobs Plan
Today, ahead of a speech President Biden will make in Pittsburgh, the White House released the American Jobs Plan, which is intended to rebuild the country’s infrastructure, including building, preserving, and retrofitting more than two million homes along with investments in transportation, clean drinking water, the electric grid and broadband, schools, and Veterans Affairs hospitals; create jobs for and raise the wages of home care workers; and revitalize manufacturing. In each of these areas, the White House looks to accomplish its goals with a focus on addressing racial injustices, climate impacts, and clean energy and infrastructure.
Secretary Fudge Statement on the State of the FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund
WASHINGTON - Secretary Marcia L. Fudge on Tuesday released the following statement on the quarterly report to Congress on FHA Single-Family Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund Programs: HUD has an...
Applicants Sought for Inaugural Michael S. Van Leesten Awards Program
RIHousing is seeking applicants for the agency’s Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Awards program, an awards program that provides financial assistance to students pursuing a career in the construction trades or a degree related to the housing field through two scholarship opportunities and one summer fellowship. 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.
Moody’s Upgrades California Housing Finance Agency’s Issuer Rating to Aa3
The California Housing Finance Agency’s continued dedication to financial strength has once again been recognized by Moody’s Investor Service. One of the country’s Big Three credit ratings agencies, Moody’s recently upgraded CalHFA’s Issuer rating from A1 to Aa3, with a revised outlook of stable. The upgrades were also made on CalHFA’s outstanding Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds III. “We have been on a mission over the past several years to put CalHFA in position to create and preserve more and more affordable housing, and our improved financial strength allows us to do just that,” said Don Cavier, CalHFA's Acting Executive Director.
Amber Hills Named Chair of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s Board of Directors
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) is pleased to announce that Amber Hills, president of FirstBank’s Southwest Market, has been named chair of CHFA’s board of directors. CHFA’s 11-member board serves as the governing body of the organization and establishes policies to further its mission of affordable housing and community development. As an industry veteran with over 22 years of experience, Hills oversees FirstBank’s Southwest Market, which includes eight branch locations, more than 160 employees, and $2.2 billion in deposits.
NCSHA Testifies at IRS Hearing on Housing Credit Average Income Test
On March 24, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) convened a public hearing on the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Average Income Test (AIT) proposed regulations published in October of last year. James Tassos, deputy director of tax policy and strategic initiatives, testified on behalf of NCSHA, one of 15 organizations represented at the hearing. Housing Credit allocating agency officials from California, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia, and Washington joined NCSHA and numerous industry partners to express significant concerns with the proposed rule.
State Hosting Virtual Information Sessions on Louisiana’s Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Louisiana Housing Corporation and Louisiana’s Office of Community Development will co-host a series of virtual information sessions to provide landlords and renters with information about the State of Louisiana’s U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program expands upon an earlier program to provide emergency financial assistance to Louisiana renters and landlords experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and is in addition to emergency rental assistance that was available during the summer of 2020.
CHFA Awards $14.6 Million In Federal Tax Credits for Affordable Housing Development
CHFA today announced the awarding of $14,676,217 in Federal 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). The tax credits are estimated to generate more than $135 million in equity from private investors for 10 proposed affordable multifamily housing developments in Connecticut. Federal tax credit allocations are based on population, and CHFA generally receives about $10 million in credits each year. “CHFA is focused on bringing more units on line as soon as possible, especially during COVID-19.
PHFA Participates in April Celebration of National Financial Capability Month
PHFA is proud to participate in National Financial Capability Month in April by providing a slate of free, live webinars about personal money management. The webinars will be led by the agency’s senior financial education officer, Holly Zugay, and others on PHFA’s financial education team. Zugay is a certified financial planner and has 20 years of experience teaching personal money management concepts. “One way that we can address inequities in our society is to provide information people can use to build personal wealth,” said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann.
New Hampshire Housing Names 2020 Top Housing Lenders
Lenders and loan originators were recently recognized by New Hampshire Housing for helping 1,400 homebuyers find affordable homes and loans last year. The awards were given to the lending institutions and loan originators who assisted the most homebuyers through New Hampshire Housing programs in 2020. “Our top lenders and loan originators are vital to supporting affordable housing opportunities for all New Hampshire households,” noted Ignatius MacLellan, managing director of New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority’s Homeownership Division.
