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PHFA Names Housing Policy Fellowship for Kathy Possinger
In recognition of the career accomplishments of Kathy Possinger in the housing field, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is naming its annual housing policy fellowship for her. Possinger was a leading affordable housing advocate who served Pennsylvanians for two decades through her work in both the public and private sectors. Her service with nonprofit and government agencies provided significant contributions to the field of affordable housing and community development. This service included contributions to PHFA as a board designee and advocate.
Governor Hogan Proclaims October 30 as Weatherization Day in Maryland
Governor Larry Hogan today issued an official proclamation to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Weatherization Assistance Program and declared Saturday, October 30, as Weatherization Day in Maryland. The Weatherization Assistance Program helps predominantly low-income households make important repairs and upgrades to their homes to increase energy efficiency. “The Weatherization Assistance Program has served thousands of Marylanders over its 45-year history by making their homes more energy efficient and providing substantial savings on their utility bills,” said Governor Hogan.
Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance Awards Nearly $52 Million to Protect Tenants at Risk of Eviction
The Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program has provided more than $51.9 million in relief funding to communities across the state. To date, KERA funds have supported 23,834 residents of 9,220 tenant households and 3,786 landlords facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID pandemic. When Nick Baumgartner’s small business began to flounder in 2020, he could not afford to pay his rent and was barely keeping up with utility bills. “I never had to ask for any kind of financial assistance before,” said Baumgartner, whose Topeka business served local restaurants.
NCSHA Washington Report | October 29, 2021
The “Build Back Better” bill congressional Democrats plan to pass soon, which the White House says contains “the single largest and most comprehensive investment in affordable housing in...
Revised Build Back Better Bill Maintains Strong Investments in Affordable Housing But Leaves Out Housing Tax Priorities
Congressional leaders on Thursday afternoon released the initial draft legislative text of the budget reconciliation legislation, formally called the Build Back Better Act (BBB). The bill is the product of months of negotiations among the Biden Administration, congressional leaders, and progressive and moderate Democratic Representatives and Senators. While subject to possible changes, the current bill includes $1.75 trillion in total government spending and tax expenditures, including $150 billion for affordable housing spending programs.
Gov. Pritzker Announces Initial Allocation of 2021 Emergency Rental Assistance Is 100 Percent Disbursed to Renters and Landlords
Governor JB Pritzker today announced that $505 million of the initial tranche of Illinois’ 2021 emergency rental assistance from the federal government has been distributed, as Illinois leads the nation in getting this funding out the door faster than any other state. More than 57,000 households have now received assistance through the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP). With Illinois’ initial 2021 allocation of rental relief funds fully paid out, IHDA will open a new round of assistance funded by a separate federal bill on Monday, November 8, 2021.
$11.8 Million Awarded for Affordable Housing in South Dakota
South Dakota Housing Development Authority’s (SDHDA) Board of Commissioners recently awarded more than $11 million to assist South Dakotans with newly constructed multifamily housing, single family housing, homebuyer assistance, homeowner rehabilitation, and homelessness prevention. The developments will receive $2.7 million in Housing Tax Credits, $4.4 million in HOME Investment Partnership Program funds, $2.8 million in Housing Opportunity Funds and $1.9 million in Housing Trust Funds.
Governor Hogan Announces $10 Million Homeownership Works Initiative
Governor Larry Hogan today announced the launch of the Homeownership Works (HOW) pilot program, a $10 million economic recovery initiative that will rehabilitate homes to create new homeownership opportunities while revitalizing Johnston Square in Baltimore City and Pine Street in Cambridge. “Homeownership Works is a game-changing approach that will serve as a national best practice for community renewal,” said Governor Hogan. “The program will revitalize neighborhoods to encourage new homeownership while helping existing homeowners and creating healthier housing markets.”
MSHDA Board Closer to Naming Permanent Executive Director, Approves Loan and Bond Commitments for Affordable Housing Projects
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority Board took a step toward naming a new executive director last week, approving a resolution that allows Board Chairwoman Susan Corbin to extend a conditional offer to a preferred candidate. After lengthy discussion of the five applicants who participated in public interviews in July and August, the board narrowed its scope to two candidates then said Amy Hovey, special projects coordinator for the C.S. Mott Foundation headquartered in Flint, emerged as the preferred candidate. The decision was not unanimous.
Amidst Ongoing Reconciliation Negotiations, Cantwell Calls for Inclusion of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to Increase Affordable Housing Supply
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, at a U.S. Senate Committee on Finance hearing, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) called for the inclusion of a significant increase of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit in the...
NCSHA Washington Report | October 22, 2021
Planning edicts from federal regulators tend to get bureaucratic and interest group wheels spinning without necessarily leading to any actual movement. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s...
State of Maryland Designates New Sustainable Community in Baltimore County
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced Arbutus has become Maryland’s newest Sustainable Community. With this designation, Arbutus becomes the ninth designation in Baltimore County and 123rd in the state. By earning a Sustainable Community Designation, local governments are provided with a revitalization “toolbox” of state resources including programs, loans, grants and tax credits that can support brick and mortar community projects, small business development, job creation and tourism.
