Federal Funding

TPV Allocation Differences in 2017 HCV Implementation Notice and TPV Survey

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

As mentioned earlier on this blog, HUD has published its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program 2017 Funding Implementation Notice. According to HUD, the difference in how Tenant Protection Vouchers (TPVs) are allocated between 2017 and prior years is that in 2017–for Public Housing TPV actions–the number of TPVs that will be awarded will be considered at the time of the Special Applications Center (SAC) approval of the demolition or disposition application. This is in contrast to prior years, where HUD considered the number of vouchers to be awarded at the time of the TPV funding application to HUD.

Additionally, the Housing Voucher Financial Management Division has sent out an email discussing a survey on anticipated needs for tenant protection action for July to December of 2017. HUD notes that this data collection is important for “new increment leasing projections and needs for CY 2017 and HAP renewal for 2018 and 2019.” Questions about the survey can be directed to PIH_Conversion_Actions@hud.gov. The survey is due by August 24, 2017 at 5 pm ET.

The survey instructions can be found here.

The survey spreadsheet can be found here.

Past Due Section 3 Reports Due July 31, 2017

~ Georgi Banna ~ Leave a comment

On July 7, 2017, HUD’s Economic Opportunity Division of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity issued a notice regarding Section 3 reporting due dates for PHAs. Reporting due dates for PHAs are now based on the PHA fiscal year end (FYE), and generally are due 60 days after the PHA FYE. Non-PHAs that are recipients of Section 3 funding will continue to submit annual reports as they have done so in the past.

However the notice did provide specific dues dates for past due reports. Past due Section 3 reports for 2013, 2014, and 2015 must be submitted by July 31, 2017. Also Section 3 reports for 2016 are due 60 days after the PHA FYE, if not already submitted. For 2017 and beyond, Section 3 reports are due 60 days after PHA FYE.

The process of for electronically submitting your Section 3 reports can be found on the HUD website.

HCV Shortfall Funding Deadline This Friday (7/28/17) at 5 pm ET

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

As previously mentioned on this blog, the deadline for applying for Shortfall Prevention Team (SPT)-confirmed shortfalls in September, October, or November 2017 is July 28 by 5 pm ET.

Shortfall Funding – There are the two scenarios under which a PHA can apply for shortfall funding. In Scenario 1, HUD’s Shortfall Prevention Team (SPT) has confirmed the shortfall, while in Scenario 2, PHAs have managed their budget in a reasonable and responsible manner, but are later confirmed to be in a SPT-confirmed shortfall position. PHAs with questions related to the calculation of HUD-confirmed shortfall should contact the SPT at 2017ShortfallInquiries@hud.gov.  The subject line should include the PHA’s number. There are certain submission requirements that must be met. While Category 1 shortfall set-aside funding will remain available throughout CY 2017, PHAs with SPT-confirmed shortfalls in September, October, or November 2017 must submit an application no later than 5 pm ET Friday, July 28. For PHAs with SPT-confirmed shortfalls for December 2017, the application deadline is 5 pm ET, Monday, January 22, 2018. Requests can be be made via email (2017Set-AsideApplications@hud.gov2017Set-AsideApplications@hud.gov) or via mail.

More information about applying for shortfall funding can be found in PIH 2017-10 (HA).

The FY 2017 Continuum of Care Program Competition is Now Open

~ Jenny Hsu ~ Leave a comment

On July 14, HUD announced the publication of the FY 2017 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Competition Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), making available approximately $2 billion in FY 2017 for the CoC Program. The CoC Program is a HUD administered program designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goals of ending homelessness and provides funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, States, and local governments to quickly re-house individuals and families experiencing homelessness. As of July 18, the FY 2017 CoC Consolidated Application and project applications are available in e-snaps.

The submission deadline is Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 8:00 PM EDT.

Listed below are a number of highlights and special considerations for the FY 2017 competition. More information can be found on HUD’s FY 2017 CoC Program Competition: Funding Availability Page.  Continue reading →

FY 2017 HCV Implementation Broadcast Posted

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

Following quickly on the heels of publishing the FY 2017 Housing Choice Voucher Funding Implementation Notice, HUD has posted a video on YouTube to review the notice.  The video briefs stakeholders on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 as it relates to HCV Program funding provisions.

The video of the webcast can be found here.

The PowerPoint slides from the webcast can be found here.

HUD Seeks Comment on New Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Program for Disabled and Low-Income Veterans

~ Jenny Hsu ~ Leave a comment

On July 12, the HUD Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing HUD’s intention to develop a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Disabled and Low-Income Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program (Program), which was authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Pub. L. 113–291, approved December 19, 2014), as amended. HUD is also seeking input from interested parties and stakeholders to inform the development of the NOFA so that the funds are “used efficiently and fulfill the statutory purpose.”  Continue reading →

HUD Publishes FY 2017 HCV Funding Implementation Notice

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

HUD has published a notice (PIH Notice 2017-07) titled “Implementation of the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2017 Funding Provisions for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.”

The notice lists the funding that the appropriations bill has allocated for tenant-based rental assistance:

  • HAP Renewal Funding – $18.355 billion;
  • Tenant Protection Vouchers – $110 million;
  • Administrative Fees – $1.650 billion;
  • Mainstream 5 Year Program – $120 million;
  • Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing – $40 million; and
  • Family Unification Program – $10 million.

The notice also notes how Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) are rebenchmarked using validated leasing and cost data for calendar year (CY) 2016. HUD states that that it will perform a “small offset” to prevent termination of rental assistance for families as the result of insufficient funding. Additionally, the $75 million set-aside in HAP funding provided by the budget, which is used to perform PHA allocation adjustments, will most likely be used only for shortfall funding. If there are any funds remaining after the set-aside, they will be distributed on a prorated basis to all agencies.

Continue reading →

HUD Re-Publishes CY 2017 Administrative Fee Rates

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

HUD has published the administrative fee rates for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program in the Federal Register in a notice titled “Notice of Annual Factors for Determining Public Housing Agency Administrative Fees for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Mainstream, and Moderate Rehabilitation Programs.” HUD had previously published these fee rates in February on the website of the Office of Housing Choice Vouchers. The rates remain the same as those published in February.

What has changed is that HUD has calculated a proration factor for administrative fees of 74% for January to March of this year. (This is not mentioned in the notice published in the Federal Register, but PHAs should have received notices informing them of this from HUD.) HUD hopes to raise that number as the year progresses by supplementing it with unobligated funds. NAHRO continues to stress the importance of the administrative fee to the proper running of the HCV program to appropriators in Congress.

Finally, it is not too late to apply for a blended administrative fee or a higher administrative fee as the deadline for applying to both has been extended to Friday, June 23.

The full notice can be read here.

NAHRO Submits Regulatory Reform Comments to HUD

~ Georgi Banna ~ Leave a comment

On June 14, NAHRO submitted its comment letter to HUD’s request for comment on Reducing Regulatory Burden; Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda Under Executive Order 13777.

NAHRO identified many regulations that would make good candidates for streamlining. Each of the regulations met at least one of the following reasons for streamlining:

(a) The regulation results “in the elimination of jobs, or inhibits job creation”;

(b) The regulation is “outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective”;

(c) The regulation imposes “costs that exceed benefits”; or

(d) The regulation creates a “serious inconsistency or otherwise interferes with regulatory reform initiatives and policies.”

The regulations listed are non-exhaustive. NAHRO’s comment letter is a start of a conversation between the Department and NAHRO. Given the limited time to compile this list, NAHRO expects to identify additional avenues for further regulatory streamlining, which we will share with the HUD.

NAHRO’s comment letter is organized into three sections: Public Housing and Section 8 recommendations; Community Planning and Development; and recommendations on cross-cutting programs and initiatives. Within each major section are topic headers with NAHRO’s recommendation on each topic.

HUD Extends Deadline to Apply for Higher Administrative Fee Rates

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

Yesterday, HUD sent an email extending the deadline to apply for higher administrative fee rates to Friday, June 23, 2017 at 5 pm ET. Earlier, HUD had extended the deadline for applying for Blended Administrative Fee Rates to the same date. The application method remains the same as noted in Notice PIH 2017-07 titled “Guidance related to (1) Eligibility for Potential Shortfall Funding Under the Calendar Year (CY) 2017 Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Renewal Set-Aside for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program and (2) CY 2017 Administrative Fees.”

Click below for additional details on how to apply.

Continue reading →