Month: October 2018

SAC Conversion Actions to Receive Additional TPV Funding

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

On October 22, HUD’s Office of Housing Voucher Programs sent a notice to Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Representatives alerting them to a change in how tenant protection vouchers (TPVs) are funded in conversion actions (e.g., demolitions, dispositions, etc.) that are approved by the Special Application Center (SAC). Previously, TPVs would only be funded for occupied units, but with the new notice mailed to program representatives, HUD is announcing that TPVs will be funded for “unoccupied units that were occupied within the previous 24-month period . . . for both Multifamily Housing and Public Housing TPV actions.” This action will apply prospectively (it will not be retroactive) from October 1, 2018.

In other words, for those PHAs who are initiating an action through the Special Application Center, which will remove units from a PHA’s public housing portfolio, HUD will provide voucher funding for both occupied units and unoccupied units (if the unoccupied units were occupied within the previous 24 months of when the application was sent to HUD).

The notice titled “Demolition and/or disposition of public housing property, eligibility for tenant-protection vouchers and associated requirements” PIH 2018-04 (HA) explains the conditions under which PHAs can initiate certain conversion actions and can be found here.

The notice mailed to HCV program representatives detailing the additional TPV funding can be found here.

HUD Now Accepting Applications for MTW Expansion Cohort #1

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

Late last week, HUD published a notice–titled “Request for Letters of Interest and Applications under the Moving to Work Demonstration Program for Fiscal Year 2019: COHORT #1 – Overall Impact of Moving to Work Flexibility” (PIH-2018-17)–inviting applications for the first cohort of the Moving to Work (MTW) Expansion. The first cohort of the MTW Expansion will include 30 PHAs with 1,000 or fewer aggregate units (including special purpose vouchers).

In addition to laying out the application process for the first cohort of the MTW Expansion plan, the notice also notes the research topic each cohort will examine. The first cohort will examine the overall impact of MTW flexibility, while future cohorts will examine rent reform, work requirements, and landlord incentives. Applying for MTW status with the first cohort is a two-step process including submitting a letter of interest (due January 11, 2019) and submitting a MTW plan and application.

NAHRO will host a MTW application e-briefing for potential first cohort applicants on Wednesday, November 7th from 1:30 to 3 pm ET. Registration for the e-briefing can be found here.

The MTW Operations Notice can be found here.

The first cohort application notice can be found here.

Click below for additional information on the application process.

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NAHRO Submits Comments on AFFH Rule Streamlining

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

Earlier this week, NAHRO responded to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s or the Department’s) request for comments on streamlining the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule by submitting a comment letter. The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials remains committed to following through on the promise of the Fair Housing Act and its duty to affirmatively further fair housing. At the same time, NAHRO believes that to create a workable rule that delivers results while appropriately balancing the goals of the Fair Housing Act with the limited resources found in communities throughout the United States, certain principles should be followed in refining the AFFH rule.

These general principles are as follows:

  • Entities should not be forced to complete analyses on non-housing factors;
  • Entities should not be forced to complete analyses outside their jurisdiction;
  • Additional funding is required to properly conduct fair housing assessments;
  • Housing agencies should be able to complete any required assessments without having to hire a consultant;
  • The Department should accept and approve assessments for entities that have made a good faith effort to comply with the assessment process;
  • The Department should provide clear, regularly updated guidance for completing assessments;
  • The assessments should provide a greater emphasis on place-based solutions; and
  • The Department should closely follow all requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act and any other process requirements required by law.

The comment letter–after providing background on how HUD substantially deviated from modest recommendations of prior technocratic reports by HUD and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 2009 and 2010 respectively–responds to specific inquiries requested by HUD. The comment letter also recommends changes to the definition of “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing” and “Qualified PHA.”

The full comment letter can be found here.

New ACC Update – New ACC Rescinded

~ Georgi Banna ~ Leave a comment

NAHRO is happy to announce it has received information from HUD that HUD will be rescinding the Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) (Form HUD-53012, OMB Approval No. 2577-0075) that took effect in May of this year. Agencies that have executed this new ACC will revert back to their prior ACC. Agencies will receive a communication from HUD in the coming days that will document the rescission of the new ACC.

It is anticipated that HUD may revisit a new ACC in the future and allow for additional input from the affordable housing stakeholders.

NAHRO thanks all of the agencies that have shared their thoughts and concerns about the new ACC with us. Additionally agencies, the industry groups (NAHRO, PHADA, and CLPHA) along with industry attorneys worked in unison to advocate for the importance and fairness of the agency/HUD relationship. NAHRO will continue to follow the ACC issue and will provide updates as additional information becomes available.

LocalHousingSolutions.org launched by the Furman Center and Abt Associates

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

Abt Associates along with the NYU Furman Center, in a press release published earlier today, announced that they would be launching LocalHousingSolutions.org. LocalHousingSolutions.org is a repository-tool of over 80 policies designed to “preserve and strengthen affordability and address a range of other housing objectives.” The tools at the site enable communities to develop strategies that “promote affordability, stability, quality, and choice.”

The launch of the website is only the start of the process of developing policy tools to promote affordability. The website development process is meant to be iterative with stakeholder experiences informing new content, including “case studies that highlight successes and provide insight into lessons learned.” Additionally, there will be additional resources for non-housing, but related policy topics including public health, transportation, and education.

Abt Associates’s press release can be found here.

LocalHousingSolutions.org can be found here.

HUD Releases MTW Expansion Operations Notice

~ Eric Oberdorfer ~ Leave a comment

On Friday, October 5th, HUD will release the Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving to Work (MTW) Demonstration program. The notice establishes the requirements for the implementation and continued operations of the MTW demonstration program pursuant to the 2016 MTW Expansion Statute. Comments are due 45 days from publication of the Operations Notice in the Federal Register.

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