Newsroom
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.
HUD Publishes FHA-HFA Multifamily Risk-Sharing Final Rule
On December 22, HUD published a final rule in the Federal Register amending existing regulations for the Section 542(c) Housing Finance Agencies Risk-Sharing Program. The final rule adopts without substantive changes the March 8, 2016, proposed rule HUD developed after dialogue with NCSHA and a working group of HFAs. The rule is intended to better align the Risk-Sharing program regulations with current industry and HUD policies and practices and provide greater flexibility for program participants.
DCHFA Finances New Affordable Development in Takoma
During the holiday season the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) continued to finance affordable housing throughout the District. On December 22 DCHFA issued $21.5 million in tax-exempt bond financing and underwrote $9.8 million in four percent low income housing tax credits (LIHTC) for a new development at 218 Vine Street in Ward 4’s Takoma neighborhood. “The development of 218 Vine Street will provide a new 100 percent affordable rental housing community in a thriving neighborhood with access to transportation, where affordable housing has dwindled.
Governor Kelly Announces First Statewide Housing Needs Assessment in 27 Years
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that a planning and design firm with extensive statewide experience will lead Kansas’ first comprehensive housing needs assessment in nearly 30 years. RDG Planning & Design, an Omaha-based consultancy, will conduct an in-depth discovery process, assess current housing opportunities and identify goals, and develop strategic initiatives to guide the state’s future housing development efforts.
