Public Housing

Reminder: Vera Institute of Justice Solicitation for Technical Assistance Application Due Friday (May 12)

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

The Vera Institute of Justice is still soliciting applications for technical assistance from PHAs, including those PHAs running Housing Choice Voucher Programs, who seek to implement reentry programs or to change their policies for the purpose of increasing access to housing for people with conviction histories. There are no financial commitments for PHAs.

Applications will be accepted until this Friday, May 12, 2017. To apply, interested PHAs should send (as a PDF) the following: (1) a letter of intent of commitment; (2) an application narrative; and (3) optional, but recommended, letters of support. All documentation should be sent to kfinley@vera.org.

Our previous blog post on this “Request for Proposals for Technical Assistance” can be found here.

The entire application can be found here.

President Signs FY 2017 HUD Spending Bill

~ Georgi Banna ~ Leave a comment

After seven months and three continuing resolutions, Congress on Thursday finally approved, and the President on Friday signed, an omnibus spending bill of all 11 remaining appropriations bills, including Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.

The $1.07 trillion deal provides funding for federal departments and agencies until the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017. The bill contains level funding or a slight increase to most housing and community development programs, with few exceptions.

The bill was passed on a bipartisan basis easily in both the House and the Senate. On Wednesday, the House approved the bill by 309 to 118 and on Thursday the Senate approved it by 79-18, sending the omnibus to the President for his signature. President Trump signed the bill this afternoon.

The final passage of the omnibus ends more than seven months of delays in finalizing spending for the current fiscal year. Initially opting to postpone making final spending decisions until after the election, Congress approved a short-term spending bill that ran out in mid-December, with the intention of wrapping up work on the fiscal year during the lame duck. However, the then President-elect signaled to Congress that he would like to have input on spending in the current fiscal year, so legislators passed a short-term bill until April 28. Congressional leadership, close to wrapping up negotiations, signaled last week that they needed an additional week of time, requiring the passage of yet another week-long continuing resolution.

The path to a deal was bumpy, but far less rocky than it could have been. Controversial policy riders and requests from the President to fund a border wall with Mexico and an increase defense spending were omitted, likely delaying a larger battle for later in the year. Critically, the parity between defense and non-defense spending was also maintained, a huge victory in a difficult political environment.

NAHRO Acting CEO John Bohm called upon Congress to begin work immediately on a responsible 2018 federal spending bill and expressed concern regarding the year-over-year need to approve continuing resolutions. “Despite promises to return to regular order with regard to the appropriations process,” Bohm said, “NAHRO members continue to struggle to meet local needs given the uncertainties and delays inherent in the approval of continuing resolutions. With the 2018 fiscal year to begin in a mere four months (including the annual August recess) there is at this point every assurance that we will be operating under yet another CR come October. We can do better than this to help those in need.”

Below is a summary of the FY 2017 housing and community development funding levels. The NAHRO Policy Staff has conducted a detailed analysis of the Public Housing, Section 8 and Community Development provisions and funding levels. NAHRO Members can read each of these deep-dive analysis documents on the NAHRO website:

Housing and Community Development Funding Levels

  • Public Housing Programs
    • Public Housing Capital Fund – $1.9415 billion, $41.5 million higher than FY 2016
      • Competitive Lead-Based Paint Grants – $25 million, new program
      • ROSS – $35 million, level funding
      • Emergency Capital Needs – $21.5 million, $500,000 less than FY 2016
      • Jobs Plus – $15 million, level funding
      • PH Financial Physical Assessment – $10 million, $7 million higher than FY 2016
    • Public Housing Operating Fund – $4.4 billion, $100 million less than FY 2016
    • Choice Neighborhoods Initiative – $137.5 million, $12.5 million higher than FY 2016
    • Family Self-Sufficiency – $75 million, level funding
    • RAD – expanded to 225,000 units
  • Section 8 Programs
    • Tenant-Based Rental Assistance – $20.292 billion
      • Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment Renewals – $18.355 billion, $663 million higher than FY 2016
      • Ongoing Administrative Fees – $1.64 billion, level funding
    • Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance – $10.816 billion, $196 million higher than FY 2016
  • Community Development Programs
    • Community Development Block Grant – $3 billion, level funding
    • HOME Investment Partnerships – $950 million, level funding
    • Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS – $356 million, $21 million higher than FY 2016
    • Homeless Assistance Grants – $2.383 billion, $133 million higher than FY 2016

MTW Operations Notice Comment Period Reopens

~ Georgi Banna ~ Leave a comment

In today’s Federal Register Public Inspection Documents, HUD included, “Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving to Work Demonstration Program Solicitation of Comment; Waiver Revision and Reopening of Comment Period.” It is anticipated that this notice will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, May 4, 2017.

This notice reopens, for 30 days from its publication in the Federal Register, the comment period of the January 23, 2017 Moving to Work (MTW) Operations Notice. This notice also makes revisions to one General Waiver in Appendix 1 and two Conditional Waivers in Appendix 2.

The General Waiver that is revised focuses on the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program and the updated waiver allows housing agencies to require participation in an FSS program. If an agency makes FSS participation mandatory, the agency must also have and apply exceptions and hardship provisions.

The two Conditional Waivers that are revised focus on Work Requirements for Public Housing (PH), and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) residents. The first waiver is for “PH — Work Requirements” and the second is for “HCV & PBV — Work Requirements” but the revision is the same – the housing agency may implement work requirements for PH, HCV, and PBV residents between the ages of 18 and 61. The previous versions of these waiver listed 54 as the maximum age.

NAHRO will continue to engage with HUD and housing agencies to maximize the regulatory relief and flexibility essential to the MTW program and the MTW expansion.

FY2017 Omnibus Spending Bill Agreement

~ Georgi Banna ~ 3 Comments

On Monday, May 1st, an agreed to fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill was released. The spending deal would fund the Federal government through September 30, 2017. This omnibus must still be voted on in the House and Senate and then be signed by the President but there is optimism and agreement among the parties involved.

The omnibus provides the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with $38.8 billion for fiscal year 2017, which is a 1 percent increase over fiscal year 2016 levels. Below is a brief breakdown of a few of the HUD program areas. The NAHRO Policy Team will continue to analyze the omnibus and will provide a deep dive analysis once the omnibus becomes law.

Public Housing (PH)

The omnibus funds the PH Operating Fund at $4.4 billion, which is $100 million less than fiscal year 2016.

The PH Capital Fund is funded at $1.9415 billion, an increase of $41.5 million from fiscal year 2016. This capital funding includes set-asides of $35 million for Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS), $25 million for new Competitive Lead-Based Paint Hazard Grants, $21.5 million for Emergency Capital Needs, $15 million for Jobs Plus Pilot, and $10 million for PH Financial and Physical Assessment Activities.

Section 8

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance is funded in the omnibus at $20.292 billion, which is an increase of $663 million more than fiscal year 2016. This amount includes set-asides for Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment Renewals funded at $18.355 billion, Ongoing Administrative Fees at $1.640 billion, Special and Ongoing Administrative Fees at $10 million, Tenant Protection Vouchers at $110 million, and new Incremental Vouchers at $57 million. The Mobility Demonstration program is not funded in the FY2017 omnibus appropriation bill.

Community Development

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investments Partnerships Program (HOME) have flat funding at $3 billion and $950 million respectively.

The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) is funded at $356 million, an increase of $21 million from FY2016 and the Homeless Assistance Grants are funded at $2.383 billion, an increase of $133 million over FY2016 levels.

Other Rental and Service Programs

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is funded at the same level as FY2016, $75 million.

Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance increased $196 million from FY 2016 levels to $10.816 billion.

The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program did not receive any additional funding but the cap on the number of units eligible for the program was increased from 185,000 to 225,000 and the RAD program was extended from 2018 to 2020.

The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NeighborWorks) was funded at $140 million with $5 million to be used for a multi-family rental housing program.

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness is funded at $3.6 million and is extended to October 1, 2018.

HUD REAC Posts Industry Day Materials

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

As mentioned in an earlier post, HUD held two IT vendor days in Phoenix, AZ and Jacksonville, FL on April 5th and April 7th respectively. HUD has posted the PowerPoints from those two days. They are listed below:

  • PIC-NG Overview – provides a broad overview of PIC – Next Generation, including the rationale for overhauling PIC.
  • PIC-NG Details – provides more detailed information on the functioning of the new system. More technical in nature than the PowerPoint above.
  • Federal Lifeline Program Overview – provides an overview of the Federal lifeline program, which gives a monthly discount of $9.25 to eligible low-income users (or more for Tribal or Native residents) on phone and broadband service.
  • PIC-NG VMS – provides a rationale for changing the Voucher Management System.
  • IT Vendor Deck – provides a discussion on the status of UPCS-V for IT Vendors.
  • Exam Data Exchange – provides a discussion of tailoring software to work with HUD’s ExAM and Salesforce created programs.

NAHRO is currently examining the materials.

The website listing all the REAC Industry Day Materials can be found here.

Vera Institute of Justice Offering Technical Assistance for PHAs Implementing Reentry Programs

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

The Vera Institute of Justice is soliciting applications for technical assistance from PHAs, including those PHAs running Housing Choice Voucher Programs, who seek to implement reentry programs or to change their policies for the purpose of increasing access to housing for people with conviction histories.

PHAs of all sizes and in all geographies are invited to apply. Additionally, PHAs that are in the same geographic area may apply together in a single application, if they have common goals and coordination would facilitate achieving those goals.

The program is offering nine months of technical assistance. Technical assistance includes meeting with PHA staff; meeting with local stakeholders; data analysis identifying the number of potentially barred individuals; policy assistance changing or drafting a PHA’s policy towards individuals with records; access to local consultants; assistance implementing policy change; data analysis after implementation of policy changes; and potential opportunities to foster cross-site learning. PHAs are expected to identify a primary liaison and assist with developing a group of interested community stakeholders. There are no financial commitments for PHAs.

To apply, interested PHAs should send (as a PDF) the following: (1) a letter of intent or commitment; (2) an application narrative; and (3) optional, but recommended, letters of support. All documentation should be sent to kfinley@vera.org.

Applications will be accepted until May 12, 2017. Vera staff will conduct interviews with some applicants and selected sites will be announced in June.

The entire “Request for Proposals for Technical Assistance” can be found here.

Learn more about the Vera Institute of Justice here.

 

HOTMA Implementation e-Briefing – Tomorrow

~ Georgi Banna ~ Leave a comment

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
HOTMA Implementation
A NAHRO Professional Development e-Briefing
Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 11, 2017
1:30 – 3:00 pm EDT

On July 29, 2016, President Barack Obama signed into law the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA), legislation that received unanimous, bipartisan support from Congress.

As HUD has begun the process of implementing the provisions in HOTMA, many local agencies are wondering how they will be impacted. Join National NAHRO’s in-house policy experts as they review the key provisions included in HOTMA, discuss HUD’s implementation notices and timeline, and explain what NAHRO is doing to help HUD move forward with implementation of this critically important reform legislation.

Reminder: Whether you’re watching alone or with an audience of 100, only one registration per connected device is required, making NAHRO Professional Development’s e-Briefings an outstanding value!

Online registration closes TONIGHT (Monday, April 10) at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

NAHRO Sends Letters to HUD on HOTMA and Triennial Certifications

~ Georgi Banna ~ Leave a comment

In order to maintain the spotlight on issues important to our members, NAHRO sent two letters to HUD last week.

The first letter (member login required) was on the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) and focused on the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) provisions that HUD is currently implementing through Federal Register notice. In addition to other provisions, this notice included two provisions very important to our members. The first allows PHAs to choose to calculate their general project-based cap based on either voucher funding or voucher allocation. The second allows PHAs to project-base up to 30 percent of their vouchers in units targeted to the homeless, veterans, elderly, people with disabilities or in areas where vouchers are difficult to use. HUD has been discussing reopening this Federal Register notice for additional public comment. NAHRO’s letter explained the importance of these provisions to PHA operational flexibility and local housing need, while noting that if the public comment period is reopened, the effective date in the original notice of April 18, 2017 should remain.

The second letter (member login required) was on the triennial recertification interim final rule required by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. Language permitting triennial recertifications was a hard-earned and significant win for PHAs across that country that are currently facing historically low levels of federal funding. On January 19, 2017, HUD previewed an interim final rule that would implement the triennial recertification provision of the FAST Act, but it was never actually published in the Federal Register due to the regulatory freeze on the new administration, so the FAST Act triennial recertification provisions were not implemented. NAHRO’s letter asked for the FAST Act triennial recertification interim final rule to be published, since the 60-day regulatory freeze period is now over.

HUD to Host MTW Listening Sessions

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

Earlier today, a NAHRO member forwarded an email sent by General Deputy Assistant Secretary Bryon of HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing announcing four listening sessions “for PHAs that are interested in applying to MTW and other industry partners.” Through the listening sessions, HUD hopes to hear feedback on its MTW Operations Notice. The MTW Operations Notice will govern the operation of PHAs that are selected to participate in the 100 PHA Expansion of the MTW Demonstration Program.

HUD is particularly interested in feedback on the following topics:

  • Evaluation and performance assessment;
  • Calculation of funding;
  • Statutory and regulatory waivers; and
  • Regionalization.

The listening sessions will be held in the following cities on the dates listed next to location (click on the location to register):

NAHRO’s comments on the MTW Operations Notice can be found here.

NAHRO Releases Preliminary Joint FY 2018 Budget Recommendations with PHADA and CLPHA

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

Yesterday, April 6, NAHRO released joint budget recommendations with industry groups CLPHA and PHADA. The document containing the recommendations states that the recommendations “are based on the best information available at this time. [The three groups] will submit revised funding recommendations to Congress when more detailed and timely information, such as the President’s FY 2018 budget request and Congressional Justifications, becomes available in May.”

These recommendations would fully fund the Operating Fund and provide enough funding for the Capital Fund for PHAs to begin addressing their capital needs backlog. Additionally, these recommendations would fully fund voucher renewals, fully fund the administrative fee formula, and fully fund project-based rental assistance contracts. The recommendations also provide sustainable funding for other important programs.

NAHRO / PHADA / CLPHA FY 2018 Funding Recommendations (in millions)
Public Housing Operating Fund $5,349
Public Housing Capital Fund $5,000
Emergency Capital Needs $21.5
Resident Opportunities and Supportive Services (ROSS) $35
Jobs Plus $15
Public Housing Financial and Physical Assessment Activities $10
Section 8 Tenant-Based Housing Choice Voucher HAP Renewal $19,390
Section 8 Ongoing Administrative Fees $2,284
Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance $11,400
Consolidated Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program $95
Choice Neighborhoods Initiative $200

The “Emergency Capital Needs,” “Resident Opportunities and Supportive Services (ROSS),” “Jobs Plus,” and “Public Housing Financial and Physical Assessment Activities” accounts are in addition to the amount requested for the Capital Fund and are not sub-accounts.

The entire document with the FY 2018 budget recommendations–which contains additional information about each of the accounts–can be found here.